Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nobushige Wakatsuki, the man responsible for bringing Nissan/Datsun to U.S. dies at 81]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/nobushige-wakatsuki-the-man-responsible-for-bringing-nissan-dat/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/nobushige-wakatsuki-the-man-responsible-for-bringing-nissan-dat/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/nobushige-wakatsuki-the-man-responsible-for-bringing-nissan-dat/#commentsFiled under: ,



Here's a bit of interesting folklore for you history-obsessed car buffs out there. Nissan (then selling Datsuns) was tricked into coming to America. Seems that Nissan never planned to sell cars here, as they felt that their diminutive, economical rides were too small and slow for the mighty U.S. market. However, one man felt different: Nobushige Wakatsuki.

The year was 1958 and Wakatsuki had a job with Marubeni Trading Corp. where he was charged with finding Japanese products to import into the U.S. Wakatsuki approached Datsun's management and asked them if they'd be interested in bringing the brand Stateside. After all, Toyota had just began selling cars to Americans in 1957. Wakatsuki was humiliated when he heard their blunt reply, "No."

But Cazy Nobe -- as Nissan execs would later refer to the then 29-year-old -- refused to let a good business opportunity go to waste. He went ahead and procured some cars from Nissan under the pretense of a marketing exercise and proceeded to put them on sale. All of this was done behind Nissan's back. Which really pissed them off. In fact, it took another full year of pestering before Nissan took over the dealer network Crazy Nobe established here in 1960. However, the joke is on them, as Nissan/Infiniti sold nearly 1,000,000 cars in the US last year.

Nobushige Wakatsuki died on November 13, 2009 at the age of 81. Thanks for all the good memories, Mr. Wakatsuki.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: Fudge]

Nobushige Wakatsuki, the man responsible for bringing Nissan/Datsun to U.S. dies at 81 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DatsunNissanNissan DatsunNissanDatsunNobushige WakatsukiNobushigeWakatsukiWed, 09 Dec 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition announced [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/nissan-370z-40th-anniversary-edition-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/nissan-370z-40th-anniversary-edition-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/nissan-370z-40th-anniversary-edition-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

One week from today (October 22) marks the 40-year anniversary of Nissan's Z. Before the Zed, sports cars in North America were usually fragile little carts from Europe with their engines in funny places (or Corvettes). However, once the Datsun 240Z showed up, suddenly us Yanks had access to a fairly priced, good looking little sports car that could run for more than 30 minutes without dumping all its fluids. As the Guinness ad men might say, brilliant!

And, despite a few fits and starts, the Z badge lives on today. To celebrate 40 years of the Japanese sports car, Nissan is releasing the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. Here's what that entails, starting with the outside: 40th Quartz paint, "high-luster" smoke 19-inch Rays wheels, red brake calipers and 40th anniversary badges on both the rear hatch and front strut tower brace. Inside you get red leather, 40th anniversary embroidered seats and floor mats, red leather stitching up the center stack (just like the rocking Nismo) and a commemorative plaque. Oh, you get a satin car cover, too.

To which we say: not special enough! Come on Nissan - where's the twin turbos? Or T-Tops? Or a giant wing? What about louvers? Sans serif font? Anything? We appreciate the fact that you're (hopefully) saving your wad for the 50th Anniversary Z (which had better be atomic-powered, BTW) but red stitching and badges? Really? Where's the coke-eye'd Hasslehoff looking dude with the amazing mustache? Oh yeah, he's after the jump, along with his special lady and a very big press release!


Gallery: Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition


[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition announced [w/VIDEO]

Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition announced [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition2010Nissan370z40thAnniversaryEdition240Z370Z370Z 40th Anniversary Edition370z40thAnniversaryEditionDatsunDatsun 240ZDatsun240zNissanNissan 370ZNissan 370Z 40th Anniversary EditionNissan370zNissan370z40thAnniversaryEditionThu, 15 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Grassroots Motorsports'</i> Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/tim-suddard-picks-ten-future-japanese-collecter-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/tim-suddard-picks-ten-future-japanese-collecter-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/tim-suddard-picks-ten-future-japanese-collecter-cars/#commentsFiled under: ,

First generation Mazda Miata - Click above to see entire list of future Japanese Collector Cars

"Everybody wants to go to the dance, no one wants to stay and clean up." So says Robert De Niro's Sam in John Frankenheimer's spy thriller/car porno Ronin. We mention the line, because it's not only well written, but nicely sums up most people's attitudes towards classic, collector cars. Yes, we'd all love a Boss 302 Mustang or a Maserati Bora, but no one wants to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to procure and maintain them. But what if in the future collector cars weren't limited to American muscle or exotic Europeans? What if relatively cheap and reliable Japanese cars came to be collectors items?

Regardless of the answer, that's the exact future that Tim Suddard, publisher of both Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports, is predicting. In fact, here's what he has to say about it:
Right now Japanese cars are generally overlooked by the collector car world, but we expect that to change. A generation that grew up on Hondas, Datsuns and Mazdas is coming of age where they're after the icons of their youth. Where previous enthusiasts paid big money for the Mopars, Chevelles and GTOs that they couldn't afford when teens, we expect the same happen soon with milestone Japanese cars.
Which, if what Suddard is saying is true, means that both demand and price should increase. Which is probably... bad. Click here to see the ten cars (with captions) that Suddard claims are going to be future classics, plus our own two cents on each selection. And of course, what do you think? Also - like what you see? If you're in the Southern California area, don't miss the 2009 Japanese Classics car show this weekend


Gallery: Tim Suddard's ten most collectable Japanese cars

1997-2001 Acura Integra Type R1990-2005 Acura NSX1970-1973 Datsun 240Z1967-1973 Datsun 5101985-1991 Honda CRX Si

Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>240Z510AcuraAcura IntegraAcura Integra Type RAcura NSXAcuraIntegraAcuraIntegraTypeRAcuraNsxAE86CollectorCollector CarsCollectorCarsCRX SiCrxSiDastun 240ZDastun240zDatsunDatsun 510Datsun510HondaHonda CRXHonda CRX SiHonda S600HondaCrxHondaCrxSiHondaS600IntegraIntegra Type RIntegraTypeRJapanJapaneseMazda MiataMazda RX-3Mazda RX-7MazdaMiataMazdaRx-3MazdaRx-7MiataNSXRX-3RX-7Tim SuddardTimSuddardToyotaToyota CorollaToyota Corolla GT-SToyotaCorollaToyotaCorollaGt-sWed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/ebay-find-of-the-day-vq35de-powered-datsun-510-may-be-the-perfe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/ebay-find-of-the-day-vq35de-powered-datsun-510-may-be-the-perfe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/ebay-find-of-the-day-vq35de-powered-datsun-510-may-be-the-perfe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


1972 Datsun 510 with VQ35DE power - Click above for image gallery

This eBay listing has been dubbed "the perfect swap" by some of our bloggers. From the outside, it looks like any other lovable Datsun 510 with some funky wheels. Pop the hood, however, and the reason for our lust becomes obvious. Shoehorned into the slot previously occupied by the L-Series lump is a red-hot VQ35DE. Yep, the very same sweet-revving engine you'll find in a 350Z or G35. In fact, we'd love to pick this thing up and do a comparo with a Infiniti G37. Better yet, whoever buys it, get in touch with us and we'll give you the details on how to drop it off with one of our trained staff. We promise we'll treat it well.

The seller says this is the only known VQ35 510 swap in the U.S. and that it was a labor of love. Love - and $25,000, that is. The owner claims he could have built his hybrid a lot cheaper, but he overbuilt it just in case he "caught the boost bug." He reckons it'll handle up to 500 horsepower, although it's currently generating pretty close to the stock 287. Don't let that fool you though. The list of mods on this thing is almost as long as HR 3200. We've pasted them in after the jump along with a video clip of this little beast in action. Click through for the full rundown and don't forget to check out the gallery as well.


Gallery: Datsun 510 VQ35DE swap


[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datsundatsun 510Datsun510engine swapEngineSwapvq35deVQ35DE 510VQ35DE Datsun 510Vq35de510Vq35deDatsun510Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Nissan's Fiesty Mr. K calls out the 370Z ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/report-nissans-fiesty-mr-k-calls-out-the-370z/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/report-nissans-fiesty-mr-k-calls-out-the-370z/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/report-nissans-fiesty-mr-k-calls-out-the-370z/#commentsFiled under: ,



Recently one of our bloggers raised the hackles of many a commenter by announcing to the world that he preferred driving a Nissan Versa to the new 370Z. You can hear the whole exchange on Autoblog Podcast #140. To protect this poor blogger's identity, he shall remain nameless (we'll call him Jonny X for short. No, too obvious. Let's go with X Lieberman). Point is, obviously this person is out of his mind because who on earth prefers driving a economy car like the Versa to a Z? Turns out Nissan's Mr. K.

Yutaka Katayama, known to American Datsun/Nissan fans simply as Mr. K, will be remembered for two very important cars: the 240Z and the 510, both of which are now considered classics. Mr. K turned one hundred years old on September 15, but age hasn't tempered his mind. In fact it seems sharper than ever. Talking about the new 370Z, Mr. K calls it, "So-so." He continues, "Very different from the 240Z. First, it's very heavy, and it's also very expensive."

And not only does Mr. K feel the car new Z is too expensive, but that it's not actually living up to the Japanese sports car legacy laid down by the 240Z, "I'd like to have a sports car like the Miata. The Miata is taking the place of the 240Z." Harsh. But check this out, "Katayama has a 350Z in his garage but prefers to drive the family's Versa compact." And there you have it.

Mr. K would like to see the Datsun nameplate come back, and with sportier cars. "The fun of driving cars is the same as riding a horse. We need a car that is like riding on horseback. We are making robots. Robots don't like human control." Even at the ripe old age of one hundred, Mr. K just might be around to see his wish come true, "I just entered the 100s. I have a long way to go."

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: MTZC]



REPORT: Nissan's Fiesty Mr. K calls out the 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 370Z2010 Nissan 370Z2010370z2010Nissan370z240Z370Z510DatsunDatsun 240ZDatsun 510Datsun240zDatsun510Mr. KMr.KNissanNissan 370ZNissan370zYutaka KatayamaYutakaKatayamaMon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza Motorsport 3 celebrates past and present of JDM in new screenshots]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/12/forza-motorsport-3-celebrates-past-and-present-of-jdm-in-new-scr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/12/forza-motorsport-3-celebrates-past-and-present-of-jdm-in-new-scr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/12/forza-motorsport-3-celebrates-past-and-present-of-jdm-in-new-scr/#commentsFiled under: ,

Forza Motorsport 3 Screenshot - click above image for high-res gallery

More and more folks are slowly but surely coming to the realization that old school Japanese metal is pretty cool. Stylish, too. For instance, have you ever noticed how much a Toyota Celica Supra looks like a Lamborghini Jarama? Or that a first generation Miata is a dead ringer for Lotus Elan? Before you start screaming about the Japanese being styling thieves, let's remember two things.

As Woody Allen has said, "Be original, don't steal. But if you do, steal from the best." The other is that if you counted up all the running Jaramas and Elans on the world, you'd have a very, very small number. So if not for the Japanese, these shapes would be lost. Then, of course, you have cars like the Datsun 510, a design that looks even sharper now than it did forty years ago -- especially the sedan. And then there's the 240Z, a true icon.

In recognition of this, the brains behind Forza Motorsport 3 are including a bunch of vintage JDM rides in their upcoming XBox racing game that's on schedule to be released this October. Including some racers like the 1997 Nissan Motorsports R390, a homologated Le Mans car, meaning two street examples exist, and they can hit 60 mph in 3.3. seconds, run the quarter in 11 seconds flat and top out at 220 mph. While we think 99% of the cars Forza's including are brillinat, we don't quite get the Scion xD. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!


Gallery: Forza 3 Japanese Screen Shots


[Source: Forza Motorsport]

Forza Motorsport 3 celebrates past and present of JDM in new screenshots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Celica SupraCelicaSupraDatsunDatsun 510Datsun510ForzaForza 3Forza MotorsportForza Motorsport 3Forza3ForzaMotorsportForzaMotorsport3Lamborghini JaramaLamborghiniJaramaLotusLotus ElanLotusElanMazda MiataMazdaMiataMiataNissanNissan R390NissanR390R390ScionScion xDScionXdToyota Celica SupraToyotaCelicaSupraWed, 12 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold #1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-1980-datsun-280zx-black-gold-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-1980-datsun-280zx-black-gold-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-1980-datsun-280zx-black-gold-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold #1 - click image above for photo gallery


There's a great Sam Kinison routine that goes something like this: the problem with cocaine is that it ends one of three ways. You die, you go to jail or you run out coke. Of course, there's a fourth possibility -- you buy a Black Gold Datsun 280ZX! Only, we'd hardly consider the latter a "problem." Besides, if you buy this Black Gold you're Pablo Escobar, king of all that is 1980s. Why? Because it's ichiban, baby: Black Gold #1!

Ah, but you were born when Reagan was president, and you don't remember the 80s, let alone Black Gold. We're here to help. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Z, Nissan Datsun released 2,500 Black Gold 280ZXs, along with 500 Black Red cars. While they were little more than trim packages -- special paint, leather seats, lots of decals stating "10th Anniversary," and a couple of numbered plaques -- Black Golds are nonetheless hugely desirable. Especially when those numbered plaques all say "1 of 3000."

That's right -- the very first Black Gold. This baby is just sitting there on eBay waiting for you to snatch her up. Currently, the first bid is for $35,000 -- reserve hella not met! Now you might be thinking, "being 1 of 3000 is pretty special, but it's not greater-than-$35,000 special." And that's where you're wrong. This Black Gold has but 1,052 miles on it. We get press cars with fifteen times as much mileage. It's a brand new car! As working car journalists, we can't hardly afford the long distance phone call to Georgia to bug the poor seller half to death, let alone go any higher than thirty-five large. Here's hoping you can.

Still not getting the whole Black Gold/Datsun/Cocaine trifecta? A bit confused about the awesomeness of T-tops and the double-triple awesomeness of a stainless steel 8-track? Then you must watch the unbelievably amazing commercial that Datsun used to actually air on the TV back in 1980, immediately following "Vote for Reagan" spots. Seriously, you won't believe your eyes after the jump, and here's hoping you don't have to pass any drug tests for the next little while. Talk about a contact high... Thanks to Tyler for the heads-up.


Gallery: 1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold #1


[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold #1

eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold #1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1980 Datsun 280ZX1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold1980Datsun280zx1980Datsun280zxBlackGold280ZX280ZX Black Gold280ZX Black Red280zxBlackGold280zxBlackRedBlack GoldBlack RedBlackGoldBlackRedDatsunDatsun 280ZXDatsun Black GoldDatsun Black RedDatsun280zxDatsunBlackGoldDatsunBlackRedeBayeBay Find of the DayEbayFindOfTheDayNissanSun, 09 Aug 2009 19:56:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: More turbine excellence -- this time, it's a Z car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/video-more-turbine-excellence-this-time-its-a-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/video-more-turbine-excellence-this-time-its-a-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/video-more-turbine-excellence-this-time-its-a-280z/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Follow the jump for video of the 280Z Turbine

This video was uploaded to YouTube in 2006, so yes, we know it's old. Make a snide "SLOW NEWS DAY? THIS IS OLD!" comment at your own risk. As for us, we saw it for the first time Tuesday night as a "related video" on the Turbine Porsche 928 clip. Chances are, this'll be a first viewing for a good number of you, too. You're in for a treat, because not only do you get the full 280ZX Turbine aural extravaganza, you get a nicely-edited video with desert road fly-bys and a sweet interior shot of the instrumentation while underway. We're starting to think that our lives are incomplete without a turbine car in the Autoblog permanent garage. We nominate Neff's Alero for a transplant. The video's embedded after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: More turbine excellence -- this time, it's a Z car

VIDEO: More turbine excellence -- this time, it's a Z car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>280z turbine280zTurbinedatsundatsun 280zDatsun280zturbineturbine 280zturbine carTurbine280zTurbineCarFri, 16 May 2008 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[It's no West Wing: Japanese drama debuts about woman car salesman in '70s]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/its-no-west-wing-japanese-drama-debuts-about-woman-car-salesma/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/its-no-west-wing-japanese-drama-debuts-about-woman-car-salesma/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/its-no-west-wing-japanese-drama-debuts-about-woman-car-salesma/#commentsFiled under: ,

All you vintage Japanese automotive fans, we may have found your show. It's called "Top Sales" and is being broadcast in Japan by the government-funded NHK media giant. Apparently (we don't speak Japanese, so we are taking someone's word on this), the plot has to do with a young woman's journey through the male-dominated automotive sales industry at a fictional company called "Omiyake Motors." As success often happens so readily on television shows, she starts out on the car lot in sales and quickly works her way up to president of the company. We'll admit that doesn't sound overly exciting, but the show is set three decades ago - this means a lot of thinly-disguised 70's-era Toyotas, Nissans and Hondas zooming around. See if you can name some of the classics in the screen shots... Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!

Gallery: Top Sales Japanese Car Show


[Source: Auto-Otaku]

It's no West Wing: Japanese drama debuts about woman car salesman in '70s originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DatsunHondaJapanese TelevisionJapaneseTelevisionNissanOmiyake MotorsOmiyakeMotorsToyotaTue, 15 Apr 2008 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: 240Z-based Ferrari 250 GTO replica]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/video-240z-based-ferrari-250-gto-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/video-240z-based-ferrari-250-gto-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/video-240z-based-ferrari-250-gto-replica/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image to view video

With far more people wanting Ferraris than those who can actually afford one, replicas based on lesser donor cars are nothing new. Some are more convincing than others, and while we'd recommend a nice Corvette over a faux-rarri, once in a while there's an example that catches our attention, for better or worse.

If you're in love with the 250 GTO and don't have the millions it takes to buy one, this car might be the closest you can get. Follow the jump to find footage - nicely edited footage, actually - of a 250 GTO replica based on a Datsun 240Z that's set to the rather apt soundtrack of The Who's "Won't get Fooled Again", which you may recognize from CSI.

[Source: Busca Tuning via Motorpasion]

Continue reading VIDEO: 240Z-based Ferrari 250 GTO replica

VIDEO: 240Z-based Ferrari 250 GTO replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>240z250 gto250GtodatsunferrarireplicaTue, 25 Dec 2007 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Datsun history 101 - The Woz and Black Gold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/video-datsun-history-101-the-woz-and-black-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/video-datsun-history-101-the-woz-and-black-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/video-datsun-history-101-the-woz-and-black-gold/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Awesome. Yeah, that's a good word to describe the Datsun 280ZX. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was busy in 1982 when he made this commercial for the Z car. Not only did he have time to organize the US Festival, he was shilling cars, too. Then there was that other thing he did, involving microprocessors, but that was in flux waiting on the flop of Steve Jobs' Lisa. That wasn't so awesome. The Datsun 280ZX, on the other hand, has gone on to earn vaunted status as a classic performance car from an era when it was still common to see Volaré wagons with the fake-wood vinyl applique everywhere you went.

YouTube strikes again, with these chestnuts from the past. Dig the Chyron text, total-cheese voiceover, and we'd totally forgotten about the "We Are Driven" tagline and text move. The other spot after the jump is the one we'd pick. Nevermind the achingly terrible pseudo-Shaft disco soundtrack and the risqué undertones that aren't very cleverly hinted at, that Z looks amazing in black and gold, kind of a spin on the "Bandit" Trans Ams without the screaming hood art.

Thanks for the tip, k0an!

[Source: Macenstein]

VIDEO: Datsun history 101 - The Woz and Black Gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>280appleapple computerAppleComputercommercialdatsunnissanstevesxvideowozwozniakzTue, 21 Aug 2007 18:04:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Toyota-powered Z chases F430]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/03/video-toyota-powered-z-chases-f430/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/03/video-toyota-powered-z-chases-f430/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/03/video-toyota-powered-z-chases-f430/#commentsFiled under:


If the title of this story has thrown you off a little, here's the lowdown:

A couple of guys in a modified Datsun S30Z/240Z running a 7MGTE lifted out of a Toyota Supra come across a black Ferrari F430 and decide to give it chase while filming the whole thing on camera. It's hard to say if the driver in the Ferrari was really pushing it but it was amazing to see the old Datto keep up. This is also the part where we say that racing like this on public roads is inconceivably stupid.

[Source: YouTube via GrandJDM]

Continue reading VIDEO: Toyota-powered Z chases F430

VIDEO: Toyota-powered Z chases F430 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DatsunF430S30ZFri, 03 Aug 2007 18:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Who cares if it's a clone? 1971 Datsun Skyline GT-R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/14/who-cares-if-its-a-clone-1971-datsun-skyline-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/14/who-cares-if-its-a-clone-1971-datsun-skyline-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/14/who-cares-if-its-a-clone-1971-datsun-skyline-gt-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click the image above for 14 more pics.

Vintage Skylines are just plain cool. But if you want to get a hold of an original GT-R, you'd be getting off light by just having to amputate a few extremities. The next best thing then is to build your own and that's exactly what one enterprising gearhead in Sammamish, WA did.

Based off a 1971 KGC10-series chassis, the owner began by swapping out the stock mill and replacing it with the venerable L28, 2.8-liter inline six, complete with a trio of Solex side draft carbs, a set of stainless steel headers and a Trust exhaust. 15x8 inch RS Watanabe wheels are fitted at all four corners and the front brakes have been swapped out with units pulled from an R32.

The owner admits that this particular clone isn't a concourse-ready ride, but aside from a few rust spots and some interior ailments, it's a suitable weekend car that easily proclaims your appreciation of the finer things from across the Pacific.

Unfortunately, the owner wasn't able to unload his creation when it went up for sale early last month. $15,000 doesn't seem like a bad deal for a 1971 Skyline GT-R - even if it is a clone - so we hope that it's found a loving home in the meantime.

Thanks for the tip, Chris!

[Source: MotorCities]

Gallery: 1971 Nissan/Datsun Skyline GT-R Clone

Who cares if it's a clone? 1971 Datsun Skyline GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clonedatsungt-rgtrjdmnissanskylineSat, 14 Apr 2007 13:34:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: 1977 Datsun 280Z]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/rr-of-the-day-1977-datsun-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/rr-of-the-day-1977-datsun-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/rr-of-the-day-1977-datsun-280z/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We figured that we had a good thing going, so why mess with success? Following up yesterday's lightly modified '76 Z-car is reader JWeller710's 1977 280Z. This one, however, is different in that it is "99.9% original." Our man JW, you see, is the car's one and only owner, and from the looks of things, he's been a very good parent to the Datsun. Other than replacing normal wear-and-tear items, he's had the car repainted once, which accounts for the .01% self-imposed originality deduction.

It's white with tan seats, and the single-speaker (driver's side) factory radio still works fine. The passenger-side speaker was an option back then, for those of you who were wondering. The car is completely rust-free, and it's been driven 110,000 miles so far. JW has no plans whatsoever to change or modify anything on the car. He says that with it's classic lines and excellent inline six, there's nothing worth changing. He thinks it's just perfect, and we're inclined to agree with him. it's today's Reader Ride of the Day.

More pics, plus info on how to enter your own car after the jump.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 1977 Datsun 280Z

RR of the Day: 1977 Datsun 280Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>19771977 280z1977280z280zdatsunThu, 21 Dec 2006 08:22:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: 1976 Datsun 280Z]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/rr-of-the-day-1976-datsun-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/rr-of-the-day-1976-datsun-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/rr-of-the-day-1976-datsun-280z/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A couple of years ago, Flickr user "devnulled" grew tired of the project he was working on, a race conversion of a 1994 Eagle Talon. Like many of us do, he was online browsing eBay Motors one day when he stumbled across a car that caught his eye: a blue '76 Datsun 280 Z. He wound up bidding on the car, which did not meet reserve and never wound up being sold. He stayed in touch with the owner, however, and eventually convinced him to sell the car to him.

The Talon project car was quickly parted out for funds, and "Devnulled" hopped a plane from his home state of Colorado to Sacramento, where the Z car lived, so he could bring it home. The seller, incidentally, was the second owner of the car, but it had not left the same family for over 23 years. It had 82,000 miles on the odometer and been maintained by a local Z mechanic. Apparently, said mechanic did a good job through the years, as the Z made the 800-mile trip across the desert and through the mountains back to Colorado without incident. In fact, "devnull" made enough money playing cards in Nevada to cover the tax on it. Perhaps the car brought him good luck.

Going forward, he plans to improve the car's performance without molesting its classic good looks. Good idea, we say. As it stands now, it's a very worthy Reader Ride of the Day.

Follow the jump for a list of current and planned modifications, as well as two more photographs and instructions on how to submit your own car for consideration.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 1976 Datsun 280Z

RR of the Day: 1976 Datsun 280Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1976280zdatsunz carZCarWed, 20 Dec 2006 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: 1972 Datsun 510 2-Door]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/rr-of-the-day-1972-datsun-510-2-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/rr-of-the-day-1972-datsun-510-2-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/rr-of-the-day-1972-datsun-510-2-door/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Sometimes we look at the Flickr pool and our choice for RR of the day is blatantly obvious. This is one of those times. Flickr user "ZQPM1056" acquired this '72 Datsun 510 2-door four years ago and it's been a project car for him ever since. Sporting its original butterscotch brown paint, it channels Peter Brock with an aggressive, vintage BRE air dam, and features nifty bits like headlights from an E30 BMW M3. We'll assume that nighttime visibility is better now than at any other time in the car's 34-year lifespan.

Sixteen-inch Falken-shod Enkeis hide Wilwood brakes, and the car rides on a custom suspension featuring custom swaybars. The 510 also sports a limited-slip differential and is outfitted with very supportive Sparco racing seats inside, the need for which becomes obvious when you lift the hood. Nestled in the Datsun's engine bay is an immaculate Nissan SR20DET whose T28 turbo pushes 17 lbs. of boost. When you factor in the other mods, which include an AEM engine management system, new injectors, and aftermarket valve springs, and much more, according to the owner, you wind up with a vintage Datsun dishing out roughly 300 rear-wheel horsepower. That sounds like a lot of fun to us.

With his trusted dog Chino riding 'gun, ZQ rolls with the personal sense of satisfaction derived from knowing that he's done all the work himself since acquiring the car. A nice, clean and stock 510 would have likely gotten the call to be RR of the Day, but this car, with its fantastic turbo mill and tasteful appearance updatesPM1056, is a complete no-brainer.

Terriffic car, ZQ -- it is today's Reader Ride of the Day. Congratulations.

Follow the jump for more pics and instructions on how to submit your ride for RRotD consideration.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 1972 Datsun 510 2-Door

RR of the Day: 1972 Datsun 510 2-Door originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datsundatsun 510Datsun510sr20detturboThu, 14 Dec 2006 09:28:00 EST