Great tale.
I guess this means we have another bidder for those eBay Solexes and
manifold... Now as for the "B" cam...
- Bob Mann, '69 2000 Solex
Mark Gill wrote:
>
> Hello List,
> Recently joined the list and acquired a 1970 SRL311 14359. The white
> roadster was really in good shape when I bought it, but the engine did not
> run. After purchasing, I had the car trucked from Northern California to
> Denton, Texas. It was then (after reading all of the original owners
> documentation) that I discovered that it looks like the second owner hadn't
> driven the car for maybe 16-17 years. With a local Nissan (Bankston Nissan)
> mechanic's expertise, the car was running in just a couple of hours, and I
> drove it home.
>
> Then the fun began. Started to replace some of the hoses, gaskets, etc.
> that had deteriated due to age. It seemed that for the next 3 months every
> time I drove it, something else would start leaking or not work due
> primarily to father time. I have really become familiar with the parts
> books on line plus religously use the Roadster List Archives. Thought about
> putting the PC in the garage, but didn't have a phone jack available. I
> admit that I've printed well over a hundred postings from Thomas Walters,
> Gordon Glasgow, and many others from the Roadster's Achives (Thanks for
> sharing your knowledge and experience).
>
> One hot night (this is Texas), I had just replaced a set of sinking, gas
> leaking floats in the SU carbs. Pretty easy job, and was feeling proud of
> my mechanical prowess ;-). So I crank the roadster and she purrs and
> doesn't leak. Decide to just drive her a few blocks and still no leaks.
> Drive her around Denton's town square and the exhaust noise echos bring back
> that Datsun Roadster grin to the proud driver (you know the feeling). So I
> decide to really enjoy the ride and jump on I-35 going North away from
> Dallas.
>
> The U20 is performing great. The roadster has lots of get up and go and
> cruises effortlessly at 70 MPH. The top is down and the miles fade quickly
> in the rear view mirror, as I keep a careful watch for any friendly State
> Troopers along the interstate. After driving almost to Gainesville, TX (@40
> miles), I pull off the interstate, use my last few bucks to top off the
> tank, and look carefully for any leaks. Not a single drop! The buttons
> almost pop off my slightly greasy shirt.
>
> I turn south and head back to Denton. As I bring the Roadster up to the
> legal speed limit (70MPH), my mind reflects on some recent postings about
> the Roadster's Top Speed. It's after 11 PM. Traffic is pretty light. This
> would be a good time to experiment. Slight pressure with the right foot,
> and Oh yes, the Roadster agrees!!! Quick glance to the speedo and 75, 80,
> and 85 are easy. The tach says that the engine has not even started to
> breath hard.
>
> I look up again, and notice that the Roadster has just passed a new Bright
> Yellow Vette with chrome wheels. The Corvette responds as I point the
> Roadster back to the Interstate's right hand lane. The Corvette pulls
> alongside of the shiny off-white Roadster and carefully looks over the proud
> 30 year old Datsun. After a thorough stare and another whiff of Datsun
> dust, the Corvette accelerates (Have you noticed how Vettes hate to be
> passed by a 4 cylinder car). My right foot requests the Roadster to
> respond. The U20 four banger doesn't even grunt as we keep pace and
> accelerate past 90, 95, 100, 105, and Yes, Yes, Yes Oh Glory! The little
> Roadster speedo just grins and says Hello!! to 110 MPH. The tach is no
> where close to red line, but this feels like the end of the get up and go.
>
> Have to watch the road now, because those mile markers are moving kind of
> fast. I take a long glance over to the Corvette and try not to grin too big
> :-). We just top a small rolling hill, and I look down the road to insure
> that the road is all clear. And there is the biggest Texas State Trooper
> Car just pulling across the interstate medium. His blinking lights explode,
> and dust from his rear tires boils out, as he watches two fools in sports
> cars blow by in excess of 100MPH going south.
>
> I try to slow down without hitting my brakes, and I turned very pale, kind
> of an off white to match my Roadster. The Yellow Vette takes off with
> everything he has left. The State Trooper flashes his spot light across the
> little white Datsun, and I tried to remember how to look innocent. Then
> thankfully, the Trooper floored it to go after that Really Big Yellow Fish
> still blowing and going. I watched with a slightly smaller grin, as the
> flashing lights disappeared over the next hill. Now, I may understand what
> goes through the mind of a small fish, that is caught but thrown back to
> grow some more.
>
> I drive the rest of the way home making sure that I am at least 5 miles
> under the legal limit. I am filled with mixed emotions:
> 1. Guilty that I was having so much fun, while acting like a kid.
> 2. Thankful that I do not have to explain to my three teenage drivers how
> their balding father got such a ridiculous speeding ticket.
> 3. Proud of how this 30 year old Datsun still had real performance guts.
> 4. Thoughtfulness as I try to figure what Top Speed could be with a
> complete Solex kit??
>
> Lurking and enjoying the ride,
>
> Mark Gill
> SRL311 14359
> Denton, Texas
>
> Thanks again to everyone for the technical info and encouragement that
> passes through the list!!!!
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
--
R.W. Mann & Company, Inc. > Airline Industry Analysis and Consulting
Port Washington, NY 11050 > tel 516-944-0900, fax 516-944-7280
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