Interesting comment, since I own both a '94 Miata (well, wife's really) and
a '69 2000 Solex. I had Keith Williams (infamous Roadster guy here in Las
Vegas) drive the Miata along side the 2L from a few standing stops. The
results were a dead heat. In twisties I suspect the results would be much
the same - a dead heat. Of course, the Miata is a bit more comfortable, but
gets no looks on the road, like you say. It is difficult to drive the
Datsun anywhere without getting comments just stopping at a 7-11 for a
6pack, or getting gas. I think it is amazing that the Datsun can keep up,
considering the age...
-John F.
'69 2000 Solex
'94 Miata (blue)
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Murphy <andrew.murphy@integtech.com>
To: 'Dan Zubkoff' <datsun65@hotmail.com>; datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
<datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 5:00 PM
Subject: RE: Roadster Comments??
>Hmmmm.... is right! I think it was more of a marketing faux pas that kept
>the Datsuns from being highly successful when they originally sold in the
>60s rather than being a "crude knockoff" of anything. Or course in the 60s,
>I was in pre-school and kindergarten...
>
>As far as not being a match for a Miata, I'd put my solex up against any
>Miata on the road today. Miatas are a common site on the roads and turn no
>heads. They do have the advantage of being wildly popular, lots of parts
and
>a million places to get them serviced...
>
>I own my Datsun BECAUSE it is unusual, and they are very dependable cars
>that provide a lot of fun and enjoyment.
>
>No match for a Miata. Hah!
>
>Andrew Murphy
>67.5 2000 Solex (and a match for ANY Miata)
>SoCalROC
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Dan Zubkoff [mailto:datsun65@hotmail.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 4:37 PM
>To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
>Subject: Roadster Comments??
>
>
>hmmmm.......
>
>your thoughts!!
>
>Dan Zubkoff
>San MAteo, CA
>1966 SPL311
>
>--------------------------------------------------
>Re: datsun roadster
>Posted by: Lanny Chambers
>Date: 2000/03/19
>Group: rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
>
>
>In article <38D43017.445215D8@ior.com>, Michael Heinitz <mph@ior.com>
>wrote:
>>I hear alot about MG, Lotus, Triumph,
>>etc, but the little datsuns seem to be forgotten. I know it's no match
>for
>
>>a Miata, but they sure have style.
>>Your opinions??
>
>Back when they were new, in the '60s, they were considered cheap, crude
>imitations of British sports cars, not stylish in the least. Datsun didn't
>really understand sports cars. The SPs rode very poorly, didn't handle
that
>
>well, were prone to rust, and were rather ugly, especially with the top up
>(Car & Driver nicknamed them "giraffe transporters"). But they were
>inexpensive and had good power, and of course they passed all the MGs
>sitting on the shoulder waiting for replacement Lucas parts.
>:-)
>
>--
>Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
>http://homepage.mac.com/lanny/
> '94C
>
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