1973 Datsun 510 SR20DET Targa Rally Car

[bertvorgon]

Hello Bob,

Welcome back! Your name cropped up in a book I'm reading about the history of sports car racing and rallying in Canada, said you were driving a Datsun 240Z, very cool. Have you read; " The Chequered Past"?

I have found it amazing and fills in a lot of holes in the motorsports politics in the late 60's and 70's, of which I participated in during the early 70's. What a journey.

Take care,
Keith

[RWD_NissanMan]

Good to hear from you Keith. I have not seen the book "The Chequered Past" so I will see if I can find it.

[bertvorgon]

https://www.amazon.ca/Chequered-Past-Sp ... 0802093949

Yeh....in Canada to boot!

[RWD_NissanMan]

This fall I decided to move the "bits & pieces" of the Grasshopper down to my home in Mexico so I can do some more work on it. I no longer have a place to work on it in Canada so am setting up a little shop down here. Since Mexican "customs" will not allow permanent residents to own and drive non-Mexican registered vehicles - I have to bring it in in pieces and reassemble down here. First load was all I could cram into my little 5' x 10' cargo trailer. I got everything except for the motor, seats and remaining portion of the shell. That I will have to build a little flatbed trailer to bring it down with because it won't fit in my cargo trailer. It took me 2 minutes to clear US border entry and 10 hours to clear the Mexican border (long story) with my load. Here are some pics of the "load" at Mexican "Aduana" at Puente Columbia in south Texas/Neuvo Laredo.

[Byron510]

Great to hear that you’ll be moving forward with Grasshopper II, I really look forward to this Bob.
Looks like this was a fun day pictured above....

Byron

[datsuntech]

Any updates for us Bob?

[RWD_NissanMan]

Yes, I have made a bit of further progress. In June I took another trip up to Ontario and retrieved the rest of the car (in parts). The shell would not fit in my 5'x10' cargo trailer so I built a flat bed single axle (1.7 mtr. x 3.0 mtr.) to use to go get it. Worked out really well and I had no problems at either the US or MX borders this time. I was assessed only $1,000 pesos in tax at the MX entry point I used - the customs inspector just wrote it up as repair parts.

I now have everything I need to rebuild it at my new home in Mexico. I am currently working on getting a bit more garage space because it is a very small area that I currently have (25 sq. mtrs.).

[Byron510]

That’s great to hear Bob, we'll certainly look forward to the updates here on the Realm.

Byron

[datsuntech]

That's not a lot of space. Basically a single car garage. I'm sure that filled up quickly. Glad to hear you had no issues at the border. I can't wait to see how the new build goes.

Brock

[yenpit]

Updates? Did you come down from Canada to Michigan to buy some parts from me a number of years ago......maybe a roof panel or two?? I'm still buying & selling, but I've been out in Denver for 7 years now! Hope all is well!

TJ

[RWD_NissanMan]

Yes yenpit - I'm the guy. I am living in central-west Mexico now near Guadalajara, since 2012 so also about 7 years. Retired and living the good life! Currently working on building a 72.5 sq. mtr. garage extension so I have a larger and secure area in which to work.