Subject: [Roadsters] Solvang Roadtrip Part2: Coastal Return with a new car

From: Alvin Gogineni via Datsun-roadsters <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 20:21:48 -0700

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On Saturday morning I drove down to Solvang, ~250 miles from San Jose via
101S.  I arrived at 6:30am and explored the empty streets:
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5625-scaled.jpg

You can see more Solvang pics over here:
https://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=306034#p306034

http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8962.jpg
As cool as it was to visit Solvang, it was not my primary destination on
this trip. I left Solvang and headed back up North to Paso Robles to meet
at my friend Kevin's home. Kevin recently listed his 1969 SPL known here as
"Spike" and I wanted to join the new owner (Raj) as he picked up the
roadster.

When I arrived, Raj, his family and Kevin were already getting familiar
with Spike:
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5696-scaled.jpg

A little background on Raj, I met him through Francis around 2001. Raj had
a 510 with a KA24DE and a  '68 SRL, both regretfully sold. He's currently
building an SR20DET-powered 510:
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image010.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image004-e1588029130602.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Screen-Shot-2020-04-26-at-8.37.20-PM.jpg

Raj's interest was grounded on the importance of having a roadster that was
ready to drive, mechanically proven. Cosmetics were not a priority. Spike
was perfect, and you may have seen my rave review of the car here:
https://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=301542#p301542. Kevin helped
load up the soft top and a comprehensive set of spares--one of which
included the coveted competition Aluminum oil pan. Kevin described how he
removed it because of the heavy rallye/street use Spike saw....yes we had a
brief chuckle about my comp pan mishap :)
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5692-scaled.jpg

Unlike the usual car purchase exchange, Spike was not trailered or shipped,
it wasn't babied or light-footed back home with its new owner. Raj simply
carried the torch and drove it like he stole it. Kevin and Heather kindly
helped with the transition by leading us on a fun run via Peachy Canyon Rd
out to 46 where Raj and I would begin our coastal journey.
Raj and son Brian heading out on Peachy Canyon Rd.
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5697-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5707-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5717-scaled.jpg
It was genuinely hard for Kevin and Heather to let go of Spike. I think
this send-off put them at ease:
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5721-scaled.jpg

And that's exactly what he did, Kevin and Heather handed him the keys and
we embarked on an epic fun run up the coast via HWY1 back home. I had to be
there for the changing of hands of Spike, and to escort Raj back in true,
Datsun roadster fun-run style. Gas stop in Cambria:
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5727-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5729-scaled.jpg
HWY 1
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5759-scaled.jpg
Super bloom:
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5770-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5779-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5788-scaled.jpg
Many photo ops:
[http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5806-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5808-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg
Raj's shots (real camera)
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5828-scaled.jpg
<http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5828-scaled.jpg%5B/img%5D>
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8911.jpg
<http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8911.jpg%5B/img%5D>
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8909.jpg
<http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8909.jpg%5B/img%5D>

Almost 150miles of twisty coastal driving comes to an end as we join 101
again near Monterey:
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5819-scaled.jpg
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5827-scaled.jpg

Spike made all the right noises and begged to be driven more.  Raj was
blown away and all smiles . Enjoy the video:

https://youtu.be/eTyLxRyd7j4

Kevin listed Spike on 311s to the community first, with what i thought was
a ridiculously low asking price...but this was one of those transactions
not based soley on squeezing cents.When I found out that Raj was seriously
interested I knew I had to be there and thought why not celebrate with a
nice drive back home...a taste of more funs runs that Raj can join us on in
the future! I'm stoked and so is Raj. I'm also (not so) secretly happy to
see Spike staying local, so maybe i can grab the keys once in awhile. :)

http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5676-scaled.jpg

My roadster is filthy and the SR20 continues to impress me after all these
years with no signs of dying...612 miles within 12hrs and only two tanks of
gas.
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8931-e1588030470123.jpg

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Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr">On Saturday morning I drove down to Solvang, ~250 miles fr=
om San Jose via 101S.=C2=A0 I arrived at 6:30am and explored the empty stre=
ets:<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5=
625-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/upload=
s/2020/04/IMG_5625-scaled.jpg</a><br><br>You can see more Solvang pics over=
 here:<br><a href=3D"https://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=3D306034#p=
306034" target=3D"_blank">https://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=3D306=
034#p306034</a><br><br><br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/up=
loads/2020/04/323A8962.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-co=
ntent/uploads/2020/04/323A8962.jpg</a><br>As cool as it was to visit Solvan=
g, it was not my primary destination on this trip. I left Solvang and heade=
d back up North to Paso Robles to meet at my friend Kevin&#39;s home. Kevin=
 recently listed his 1969 SPL known here as &quot;Spike&quot; and I wanted =
to join the new owner (Raj) as he picked up the roadster.<br><br>When I arr=
ived, Raj, his family and Kevin were already getting familiar with Spike:<b=
r><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5696-sc=
aled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020=
/04/IMG_5696-scaled.jpg</a><br><br><br>A little background on Raj, I met hi=
m through Francis around 2001. Raj had a 510 with a KA24DE and a =C2=A0&#39=
;68 SRL, both regretfully sold. He&#39;s currently building an SR20DET-powe=
red 510:<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/I=
mage010.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2=
020/04/Image010.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/up=
loads/2020/04/Image004-e1588029130602.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zca=
rblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image004-e1588029130602.jpg</a><br><a =
href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Screen-Shot-2020=
-04-26-at-8.37.20-PM.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-cont=
ent/uploads/2020/04/Screen-Shot-2020-04-26-at-8.37.20-PM.jpg</a><br><br>Raj=
&#39;s interest was grounded on the importance of having a roadster that wa=
s ready to drive, mechanically proven. Cosmetics were not a priority. Spike=
 was perfect, and you may have seen my rave review of the car here: <a href=
=3D"https://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=3D301542#p301542">https://w=
ww.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=3D301542#p301542</a>. Kevin helped load =
up the soft top and a comprehensive set of spares--one of which included th=
e coveted competition Aluminum oil pan. Kevin described how he removed it b=
ecause of the heavy rallye/street use Spike saw....yes we had a brief chuck=
le about my comp pan mishap :)<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-con=
tent/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5692-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcar=
blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5692-scaled.jpg</a><br><br><br>Unli=
ke the usual car purchase exchange, Spike was not trailered or shipped, it =
wasn&#39;t babied or light-footed back home with its new owner. Raj simply =
carried the torch and drove it like he stole it. Kevin and Heather kindly h=
elped with the transition by leading us on a fun run via Peachy Canyon Rd o=
ut to 46 where Raj and I would begin our coastal journey.<br>Raj and son Br=
ian heading out on Peachy Canyon Rd.<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/=
wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5697-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://ww=
w.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5697-scaled.jpg</a><br><a hre=
f=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5707-scaled.jpg=
" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_=
5707-scaled.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/upload=
s/2020/04/IMG_5717-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp=
-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5717-scaled.jpg</a><br>It was genuinely hard f=
or Kevin and Heather to let go of Spike. I think this send-off put them at =
ease:<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_=
5721-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploa=
ds/2020/04/IMG_5721-scaled.jpg</a><br><br><br>And that&#39;s exactly what h=
e did, Kevin and Heather handed him the keys and we embarked on an epic fun=
 run up the coast via HWY1 back home. I had to be there for the changing of=
 hands of Spike, and to escort Raj back in true, Datsun roadster fun-run st=
yle. Gas stop in Cambria:<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/=
uploads/2020/04/IMG_5727-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.=
com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5727-scaled.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http:/=
/www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5729-scaled.jpg" target=3D=
"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5729-scaled=
.jpg</a><br>HWY 1<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/=
2020/04/IMG_5759-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-c=
ontent/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5759-scaled.jpg</a><br>Super bloom:<br><a href=
=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5770-scaled.jpg"=
 target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5=
770-scaled.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads=
/2020/04/IMG_5779-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-=
content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5779-scaled.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http://www.zc=
arblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5788-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank=
">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5788-scaled.jpg</a=
><br>Many photo ops:<br>[<a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uplo=
ads/2020/04/IMG_5806-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/=
wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5806-scaled.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http://www=
.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5808-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_bl=
ank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5808-scaled.jpg=
</a><br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5=
809-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/upload=
s/2020/04/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg</a><br>Raj&#39;s shots (real camera)<br><a hr=
ef=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5828-scaled.jp=
g%5B/img%5D" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2=
020/04/IMG_5828-scaled.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-con=
tent/uploads/2020/04/323A8911.jpg%5B/img%5D" target=3D"_blank">http://www.z=
carblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8911.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"http:=
//www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8909.jpg%5B/img%5D" targe=
t=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8909.jp=
g</a><br><br>Almost 150miles of twisty coastal driving comes to an end as w=
e join 101 again near Monterey:<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-co=
ntent/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5819-scaled.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zca=
rblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5819-scaled.jpg</a><br><a href=3D"=
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5827-scaled.jpg" tar=
get=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5827-=
scaled.jpg</a><br><br>Spike made all the right noises and begged to be driv=
en more.=C2=A0 Raj was blown away and all smiles . Enjoy the video:<br><br>=
<a id=3D"gmail-watch-url" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-style-scope gmai=
l-ytcp-video-share-dialog" href=3D"https://youtu.be/eTyLxRyd7j4" style=3D"t=
ext-decoration-line:none;font-family:Roboto,Noto,sans-serif;background-colo=
r:rgb(244,244,244)">https://youtu.be/eTyLxRyd7j4</a><br><br>Kevin listed Sp=
ike on 311s to the community first, with what i thought was a ridiculously =
low asking price...but this was one of those transactions not based soley o=
n squeezing cents.When I found out that Raj was seriously interested I knew=
 I had to be there and thought why not celebrate with a nice drive back hom=
e...a taste of more funs runs that Raj can join us on in the future! I&#39;=
m stoked and so is Raj. I&#39;m also (not so) secretly happy to see Spike s=
taying local, so maybe i can grab the keys once in awhile. :)<br><br><br><a=
 href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5676-scaled=
.jpg" target=3D"_blank">http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/=
IMG_5676-scaled.jpg</a><br><br>My roadster is filthy and the SR20 continues=
 to impress me after all these years with no signs of dying...612 miles wit=
hin 12hrs and only two tanks of gas.<br><a href=3D"http://www.zcarblog.com/=
wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8931-e1588030470123.jpg" target=3D"_blank">h=
ttp://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/323A8931-e1588030470123.j=
pg</a><br></div>

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