Today I test drove a new Nissan Maxima SE. Ho hum, boring! The salesman
started out trumpeting all it's fine points as an ultimate car. I started
pushing it hard on turns and acceleration, and he lost his smile! Then I
told him I drive old Datsun roadsters, and he had that knowing look. Our
roadsters may not be the ultimate, but at least they're fun! By the way, I
test drove a new Infiniti I30 on an auto-x course a few weeks ago. Much
better than the Maxima, but still didn't have that zing of the roadster.
This afternoon I took my 16-year old, Tracy, for her first clutch driving
lesson in the '70 1600. I think she got a kick out of how you have to bond
with the engine and controls. I asked how she'd feel taking it to school.
"Everyone will be looking at me, it's too flashy and sporty!". Yes, there's
a thrill about our cars...
Fred - Enjoying...
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> From: CalSpeed@aol.com
> To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net; mary_ling@cc.chiron.com
> Subject: SRL311 -vs- M Z3
> Date: Monday, September 06, 1999 1:58 PM
>
> Hello,
>
> I am five mintues fresh out of driving my buddies 2000 Z3 "M" version.
Wow!
> What a car. It was the super rich Imron red with black and red interior.
> The car was absolutly beautiful. Power top, heated seats, "four
pipe/dual
> exhaust" sound system, and also a decent stereo. The power...? Forget
about
> it! It was incredible! Although I had to limit myself to 4500 rpm I
felt my
> back sink into the seat strongly at around 3500.
>
> Okay... where does my roadster fit in this story? Well, as we pulled up
into
> my driveway Mary was looking out the window. As I opened the front door
she
> asked me, "Are you jealous?" I thought about it for a moment and I
realized
> that I wasn't. Funny thing. When my buddy surprised me this morning
with
> the car I was slightly jealous. Especially when I saw the chrome grilles
on
> the side of the fenders. But now that I am sitting at home I realize
that it
> was just another modern sporty convertable. With tons of horsepower,
yes!
> But something was missing. I don't know what it was but it was
something.
> The car has passion but certainly different form the Roadster.
>
> When I walked into my garage I looked at my car and I think that I
smiled. I
> feel a certain closeness that I don't think that I can feel with a modern
> sports car. Maybe it is just because I have spent many hours behind the
> wheel or many hours under the hood or many hours underneath the car. But
> maybe not. When I drive my Roadster I feel like it is a team effort
between
> me and the machine. It is not a car that can almost drive on its own.
My
> Roadster communicates to me without chimes and warning lights. My
Roadster
> makes me feel well when I am feeling down and I can do the same for her.
> Maybe that is it. We both need each other. Simplicity, function,
> dependability, and extreme beauty.
>
> I am sure that if I spent some good time behind the wheel of the M Z3 I
would
> also feel a connection such as I feel with my Roadster. Hmmm... Nah! I
> dont think so. Long live our Roadsters!
>
> Enjoy....!
>
> Michael "Calspeed" Carion
> 67.5 SRL311-000248 Solex
> San Francisco, Ca
>
> http://members.aol.com/calspeed/index.html
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