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Datsun Weekend, North Island.

October 28, 2009

As you may have noticed yesterday in the entry below this one, I did a minor showing of the South Island NZDatsun.com Akaroa cruise, today’s little blurb is about the North Island’s efforts. The annual North Island Labour Weekend Cruise held by the datsun.co.nz forums makes Taupo it’s point of interest. Though the numbers were not at a level of the South Island efforts the cruise was just as entertaining for those involved. The problem of course with classic cruises of any nature is being your car is getting on in years and is often a project, it’s hard for all members to attend. (I’m testament to this in the both my options, the S21 Skyline and the C110 Skyline are not on the road currently) What I love about having “Datsun” events as opposed to say, Z or Skyline events is the variety of cars that show up and are welcomed. The North Island event was proof of this, as such;

C20, 510, KB210, D21, S130, 510

…and a video too for those who love the moving pictures.

You can view the rest of the pictures and the chatter on datsun.co.nz website.

Enjoy!
-Michael

: Car Spotting, Events

Labour Weekend, it’s a Datsun Weekend.

3

October 27, 2009

by kyteler

Though the majority of the public use Labour Weekend as a happy family retreat or escape (or some of us still have to work all but the Monday) the Datsun community has been known for a few years now to hold cruises in both the North and South Islands. The southern enthusiasts who congregate in the nzdatsun.com forums generally head to Akaroa, the majority of them are based in Christchurch so an Akaroa cruise is simple, scenic and makes a lot of sense. This year was set apart from others from my perspective in that a man with an eye and some decent equipment, took his camera and his S12 Silvia along and shot some fantastic pictures which I will share with you, the lovely readers. The first shot that caught my eye was this;

Pillarless 330 Sedan

Oh hell yeah! This car belongs to Aaron, a chap I met in person just recently at the Alexandra Blossom Fest. Drag Racing, he also owns a 330 Wagon and recently sold his 330 Pillared Sedan, not to mention the C110 Hardtop he bought off a good friend of mine down here. A well en-datsun’d chap, no doubt.

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: Car Spotting, Events, Photographs for Wallpaper

MoonEyes Japan, 2009 All Odds Nationals

2

October 23, 2009

by kyteler

Some of you on OS may remember me making note of this event for you a few months back, I apologise for the delay in providing further evidence of it but, better late than never right? Anyway, here is the poster for the event;

With the Main feature being Pre ’87 Chromed Iron Bumper Wagons, it would obviously prove to be a hell of an event for the wagon enthusiast. It did not disappoint!

First up, it would be rude to not start with the winner of the Chromed Iron Bumper Wagon Award, this simply magic Prince Gloria;

There was an awesome selection of vehicles, whether they were wagon, ute, van, sedan, coupe. You name it, they showed. Check out some more snaps courtesy of the official MoonEyes Japan website,

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: Car Spotting, Events

Yahoo for Yahoo! Japan

2

October 21, 2009

by kyteler

Now many weeks post purchase of my Daihatsu Max, searches for Rings and Pins etc. coming up with nothing but “Out Of Stock” or needing to be tracked down with huge delays on each side of the stretch of water separating Japan and New Zealand, delays of course not due to the people involved in helping me (much thanks goes out to Dell’orto from OS, Ewan and others for attempts to find them locally) but rather delays from those that stock, could potentially stock, or sell the aftermarket brand that makes the appropriate replacements.

I was met with more disappointment yesterday not related to the Max when the GT-R badge I had placed a bid on went above and beyond what I could afford (though it did end up selling for exactly as much as I expected) then an effort to buy a replacement vehicle post sale of my Terrano fell through when some cad had the nerve to click the “Buy Now” option on the Auction. Something I wasn’t willing to do without checking the Fiat out first. Those who know Fiats will know why that is.

However, all was not lost. I decided after searching my usual fare on YAJ, I would crack into another series of Daihatsu searches and after the third search variation (I have to try about 5 variations on models and codes and several hundred pages of searching just “Daihatsu” items to find things for the Max) I stumbled upon these…

Oh yes!

Not only are they a new kit but there were several available and after a hastily written email to Ewan @ Hayatonka I bought the 040 over-size ones. A direct replacement for what was once in mine. Not only that but the same chap had a Full Gasket kit. You may recall that when I got mine, it came with a brand new replacement head-gasket but being I’ll need to put the intake and exhaust back on, I’ll need more. So, stoked! They will be on their way to NZ in due course and this leaves me with only the needle roller bearings to get to install and reassemble the engine. Eeeeeeeexxxcceellent!

Finally some progress!

-Michael

: Authors Cars, Automotive Maintenance, http://www.hayatonka.com/, YAJ - Yahoo! Auctions Japan

So, Escorts are your thing…

0

October 20, 2009

by kyteler

What is the most desirable Ford Escort? I would hazard a guess that at the very least it would be a MkI 2dr for most people. So, without further delay I bring to your attention, the following eBay auction!