Calspeed-
Your story reminds me of an encounter I had with a salesman at the old Downtown
Datsun
dealership in San José about 18 years ago. I was fairly fresh out of college,
working at
my first real job and looking for some cooler wheels than my '70 Datsun truck.
Downtown
Datsun had two real spiffy looking Roadsters in their showroom, a 1600 and a
2000 (I don't
remember which year exactly that either of them were, but they were both high
window
models). I gave both of the cars a good looking over and after about 15 minutes
or so a
salesman wandered over, looking down his nose at this young guy who was looking
at his
cars.
I asked him what they were asking for the cars and was told (as best I can
recall) $6,000
for the 1600 and $10,000 for the 2000. I told him that they were beautiful (at
least
cosmetically), but that as nice as they were, they were neither of them worth
that kind of
money. He told me that they had a buyer for the 2000 working out financing as
we spoke.
"Well", I said, "good luck finding another fool to buy the 1600 for that kind
of money."
and walked out (I was kind of a smart-aleck in my younger days). I never did
find out what
happened with either of those cars. I later test drove a red 2000 that was on
the used car
lot at the VW dealer down the street, but didn't buy my Sora Blue '70 until
October '86.
BTW - I love the part in your story where the guy says he is trying to help the
Datsun
Roadster market... he's just helping his pocketbook to a bigger commission!
Gary McCormick
'70 2000 SRL311-13291 (Sora Blue just like Calspeed's and you better g-d
believe it's an
original color!)
San José, CA
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CalSpeed@aol.com wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Yes..... you read it right! There is a Roadster for sale here in San
> Francisco. It is certainly a nice car too. I have seen it several times and
> it has always attracted the eyes of passer-bys".
>
> The car is a silver and black 1969 SRL311 Solex. The car has been redone in
> leather and it rides on 15 inch Panasports. I dont consider it a restoration
> but a good rebuild. Yes there are flaws too but it is a daily driver.
>
> Anyway, back to the price. The car is being held on consignment in one of
> the "fashionable" classic car dealers here in a hot property district of San
> Francisco. Inside this dealership you will find "real" Porsche Speedsters,
> Ferraris', a few beautiful Minis', Mercedes Benzs' of models older than 20
> years, etc. And then sitting in the best seat in the dealership, right in
> the glass window corner of the showroom facing one of the busiest
> intersections of The City sits our buddy, SRL311.
>
> I was tipped to this car by a buddy Z Owner so I went to take a look this
> afternoon. I parked my car right in front of the sliding glass doors to the
> showroom. As I walked into the building one of the owners walked out and
> immediately told me that the colour of my car was not original and tried to
> point out other unoriginal things too. I didnt want to continue telling him
> he was wrong so I let him go on and on. Especially about the unoriginal
> rollbar. Anyway, I finally got inside and went to the car for sale. The
> dealership owner went on telling me that the car was a showcar, was a showcar
> and it was a showcar. I told him that I recognized the car and I even told
> him who it belonged too. He replied that he didn't know and walked away.
>
> I was able to corner him later about the price and he made some good points
> about why the prices of our cars are so low. He told me that the reason he
> placed it at $25K because he was trying to help the Datsun Roadster Market.
> There was really no point in going into detail about the cars. Especially
> after he told me that he thought there was a six cylinder version. That he
> has one in his garage that he is saving. He isn't sure if it was a '69 or
> '70. He also wanted to know my opinion on the 1971 Datsun Roadster. In
> closing his comments were that the 1969 was the best year of the Roadsters
> and wondered if I knew that. I told him that it just might be. He then
> excused himself and left the area.
>
> He also believes that his dealership is responsible for the prices of the
> older Porches being what they are today. I don't know if he meant expensive
> or reasonable. I didn't ask. I just agreed. Afterall, who am I to know.
> ;>)
>
> So there you have it. One of us has his Roadster up for sale for $25K. I
> hope that he gets it too. No I can't tell you who it is but if you are
> interested the dealershipis located on Franklin St. cross of either Pine or
> Bush.
>
> Michael "Calspeed" Carion
> 67.5 SRL311-000248 Solex / Sora Blue
>
> btw... I will sell mine for $24,000 if you really really want it.
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