The vintage race season begins this weekend with the HMSA Spring Club Event at Laguna Seca. Z Car Garage is racing and providing support for three Datsun 510s; all having participated in previous events like the HMSA Driver Appreciation, John Morton Cup and David Love Memorial at Sonoma Raceway.

Full race preparation (dyno tuning/alignment+more) and trackside support are services we offer our clients. Let’s take a look at the Datsun 510s that we prepared.

#7 Kelvin

 

Kelvin had a really successful race weekend at the CSRG David Love Vintqge Races in Sonoma back in July. Unfortunately at ‘Seca his engine failed after a short time on track.  We installed a fresh Rebello engine with dyno tuning so Kelvin is ready to rock this weekend. Stay tuned for a full report!

    

#72 Tom Dockery

Tom Dockery is running the Ex-Norm Balzer/Koobation 510. This car made its debut in May 2019 and Tom continues to improve his craft with each event. His 510 is running a refreshed Rebello L18 with dyno tuning:

 

Tom is also running our Z Car Garage CV Axles in his 510:

 

#7 Rob Fuller

Rob Fuller will be in the Bay Area Datsun Dealers tribute car with a fresh Rebello L18 and dyno tuning:

 

Enjoy the sweet dual-Mikuni music on the dyno:

 

 

Z Car Garage is really excited to be racing this season and share the experience not only with clients but our audience as well. This weekend’s HMSA event is closed to spectators but you can count on ZCG to bring you sights and sounds through our social media outlets. We look forward to seeing you in the paddock when the restrictions are lifted. #DoItInADatsun

 

This 1971 Nissan Skyline has been in the Z Car Garage family for several years and currently resides in Georgia with owner Randy Jaffe. Randy has built a few notable cars with ZCG including the Rocketbunny Series1 240Z and #46 BRE Datsun 240Z driven by John Morton:

How did he end up with this JDM beauty? Randy has always loved the stance and looks of these early, “Hakosuka” Skylines and wanted to experience right-hand drive (RHD). Timing was perfect as our customer Alex McDowell was willing to part with his 2000 GT-X:

 

Under Alex’s ownership ZCG maintained the car for many years. It did not need much to prepare for delivery to Randy. We performed a full tune-up, sync’d the triple carbs, changed the fluids, handled minor cosmetics (like straightening the bumper) and it was shipped off to Georgia:

 

Randy’s Way

 

If there is one thing about Randy we admire, it’s his attention to detail. Ok, we like his sense of style too 🙂 Upon arrival he mounted fresh set of chunky Toyo tires on those iconic Watanabe wheels. Inside, he removed the carpet and replaced it with original style GT-R vinyl covering. The tan seats were reupholstered to red.

 

The car was originally a white GT-X and when I asked Randy of any future mods he replied:

“I am thinking about dropping one of the Parkinson race motors in it to give the car more power – the original 2.0 is sluggish compared to what I enjoy driving. If I do that I will pull all of the A/C parts off of it and clean up the engine bay. To be continued!”

Randy applied the Hakosuka racecar-inspired livery:

 

Here is a walk-around of the Hako, with more pictures in the gallery below.

 

We are happy to report that Randy is Enjoying The Ride and even won an award at the local Caffeine and Octane show:

 

More to Come

 

You may have noticed some really cool cars in the background. Randy has several Nissans/Datsuns in his collection that we are excited to share with you in upcoming blog posts! For now, LONG LIVE THE HAKOSUKA!

 

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On Sunday I joined a group of vintage sedans for the Super Drive event in Pacifica, CA.  Now in its 16th year, SuperDrive Sunday is a single day road rally open to any and all vintage vehicles. Our friend Geoff assembled a group of classic cars I couldn’t help resist calling the “B-sedan Squad”. These models were competing in the heated vintage race groups of the late 60’s/70’s: I drove Rob Fuller’s 1971 Datsun 510, Geoff in his Inka BMW 2002, Cameron in a BMW Neue Klasse 1800, Ramon and Chris in their Alfa Romeo Berlina 1750/2000, and Diego in the E30. We left San Jose headed to Sea Bowl via 280N:

 

Rob’s Datsun 510 with S13 SR20DET sporting Go-Green paint and 14″ Panasports:

Euro Vibes

 

The scene at the pre-rally gathering was filled with cool cars, mostly Euro/Italian. I’m always on the hunt for Japanese metal and spotted an S30, ITR and Mitsubishi 3000GT. I was the lone Datsun 510.

 

There were at least 9 Alfa Romeo Berlina/Giulia sedans of all years. These are very pretty, capable vintage saloons. Many Alfa GTVs and Giulia Spiders:

 

More cool cars, some I’ve never seen before. like this Fiat Abarth 750 “Double-Bubble”:

  

A few familiar favorites:

 

 

Rad wheels abound too!

 

More pictures in the gallery, enjoy this short video:

 

Let’s Drive!

 

The group left Sea Bowl and headed south on scenic HWY1 with great weather and good company. Geoff and I split off from HWY 1 for a blast up Tunitas up to 35/Skyline. This was a fun stretch and I had to focus and keep the 510’s boost in check through the twisty bits!

 

From 35 we made a quick stop at Alice’s Restaurant. It was pleasant to see everyone enjoying their cars. We even ran into our friends like Naveed and met Alex, organizer of the Berkeley Cars and Coffee.

 

Alex (in his Berlina) joined myself, Chris and Geoff for a stretch down HWy 9 to Boulder Creek.

 

 

From Boulder Creek we ended the trip with a drive to 17 via Bear Creek Rd. This is a very technical section, again mostly free of traffic so we could have fun! All had a great time and I highly recommend getting out next Super Bowl Sunday to Super Drive! #DOITINADATSUN

More pictures in the gallery below!
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We live a charmed Datsun life. The Primadonna Z arrived at Z Car Garage today and we couldn’t be happier for owners Jack and Yolanda Atkinson. This is a very special Z car with a history that will be shared in a (deservedly) separate blog post. Briefly, Jack Atkinson built three totally custom 240z cars in the early 80’s. Heavily influenced by the wild IMSA Z ‘s and Porsche 935 bodywork, Jack hand-fabricated the body pieces and affectionately named the cars “Primadonna Z’s”. Only three Primadonna Zs were made. This red car is the first one Jack built, here is a period photo of it:

 

Jack would go on to build and eventually sell the Primadonna kit, spawning black and white versions:

 

The whereabouts of the black and white cars have been fairly well-documented over the years, eventually landing (and thankfully) in the hands of caring owners. After Jack sold car #1 decades ago its ownership became somewhat of a mystery until recent events unfolded.  We have so much to tell you about this car’s history, from its current whereabouts back to inception in the skillful hands of Jack. For now, a nice primer can be seen HERE.

 

Datsun Destiny

 

Thirty-six years later Jack has been reunited with his first creation, Primadonna Z #1. Today the Z arrived at Z Car Garage and we were able to get it started and take both Jack and Yolanda for a spin. It was incredible to see this Z in person and even sweeter to witness the reunion.

 

 

Here is short video of Rob and crew getting the Z started and rolling on the street:

 

Datsun Family

Jack and Yolanda have been a part of our lives since the beginning of ZCG. Being long time members of The Z Owners of Northern California (ZONC) and supporting our shop along the way, we are grateful to them. ZCG will be restoring the Primadonna Z back to its former glory this year! We are also helping the couple finish their LSx V8 engine swap into their “Primadonna” Z32 Convertible. Yes, Jack had to get back in the game after building those 240z cars so he built a Z32 body kit from scratch. Like the S30’s he built, this widebody Z32 has evolved over time:

 

We are super excited for you both Jack and Yolanda. Long Live The (Primadonna) Z! More updates to come!

 

Last Saturday I attended the Breakfast Club Rally held in Santa Rosa, CA. This was my first time at the event and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy the beautiful Northern California roads and scenery. I took my Datsun Roadster and left San Jose Saturday morning with fellow roadster owner Raj (1969 SPL) and enthusiast Naveed Yousufzai (Porsche 911 CS), driving 100 miles North to the gathering.

 

We spotted Daniel Wu in his Honda S800 buzzing along the freeway! Many more vintage cars were on their way:

 

Cars & Coffee? Yes Please!

 

The Breakfast Club Rally (BCR) is fairly new. What started out as a small group enjoying weekend drives blossomed into a full-on Cars and Coffee meet just before the rally participants are given the green light to head out (rally map available to pre-registrants only). The parking lot was filled with a great variety of vintage and interesting cars. Of course, yours truly is always on the lookout for Datsuns:

Andrew’s RHD Fairlady Z looking sharp on Gotti wheels:

 

Raj’s Datsun Roadster (“Spike”) with full U20/5 speed drivetrain and rally-prepped suspension, and one of three S30s:

 

R32 Skyline and two Datsun 510s:

 

411 wagon and two more Datsun Roadsters!

 

So many cool cars please check the gallery for more photos!

 

Rally On!

 

The rally started at 9am and I embarked on what would be epic adventure to the coastline. Naveed and Gen invited me join their Porsche 911 group as they trekked off-route through Skaggs Springs Rd. Weather and terrain changes abound, with rain and unpaved bits all engaging drivers.

 

This is a grand, picaresque part of the North that has seen recent fires, yet still remained totally mesmerizing.  The fog, drizzle and clouds combined with changing forest and hillsides always had me fighting to admire and keep my eyes on the road! We eventually winded our way to the Stewart’s Point for lunch. It was an intense trip.

 

As folks parted ways most chose to take it easy and head down HWY back home. Our group decided to take Skaggs back again to Healdsburg! We were rewarded with less damp conditions and a gorgeous view of local vineyards. I headed back home to San Jose to complete the almost 400-mile trip.

 

A short video capturing the day:

 

Thanks BCR!

Many thanks to the organizers we had a blast at Breakfast Club Rally. I want to do it again! Also, many thanks to Naveed and Gen for leading the way and letting me tag along for the adventure. California never ceases to amaze me with driving roads galore. #DoItInADatsun

 

More pics in the gallery

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