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

[Alvin Gogineni]

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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