Jay Leno checks out an SR20-powered Datsun 1600 restomod

[BACK]
Jay Leno checks out an SR20-powered Datsun 1600 restomod
Posted On: May 15, 2022
The Datsun 1600 laid the foundation for the 240Z and the line of Nissan Z sports cars that followed. Mike Spagnola of Purpose Built Motors respected that heritage while upgrading a 1600's performance to turn it into a tasteful restomod that recently appeared on "Jay Leno's Garage." In addition to being special to Datsun and Nissan fans, the 1600 also has special significance for Leno because one of these roadsters was his second car purchase (after a 1934 Ford pickup truck). His car was nothing like this red roadster, though. The car started out as a bare shell, Spagnola said. While aesthetic changes are essentially limited to bigger wheels and tires with fender flares to cover them, a surprise waits under the hood. Datsun 1600 restomod on Jay Leno's Garage The Datsun is powered by an SR20DET turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 from an S13-generation Nissan 240SX. While still a Nissan engine, it's easy to modify and has extensive aftermarket support. With an aftermarket turbocharger, it makes about 300 hp at the wheels, and about 260-lb-ft of torque, Spagnola said. That's a lot more than the stock engine. The new engine does fit more snugly in the engine bay, however, and Spagnola had to put some gold-leaf insulation on the hood to deal with the heat thrown off by the turbo. The brakes were sourced from a more modern Nissan sports car as well, in this case, a 300ZX. While the Datsun 1600's lineage continues with the 2023 Nissan Z sports car, the Datsun name itself may not be long for this world. After being retired in 1981, the Datsun name was revived in 2013 for emerging markets, selling cars in countries like India, Indonesia, and Russia. But Nissan is mulling killing off Datsun again and reallocating resources to its electric-vehicle business, Nikkei Asia reported in April 2022. Check out the full video for more information on the car and to hear Jay's thoughts about how this car drives. Spoiler, he's impressed.

Reposted From Source: motorauthority.com


[BACK]
Jay Leno checks out an SR20-powered Datsun 1600 restomod
Posted On: May 15, 2022
The Datsun 1600 laid the foundation for the 240Z and the line of Nissan Z sports cars that followed. Mike Spagnola of Purpose Built Motors respected that heritage while upgrading a 1600's performance to turn it into a tasteful restomod that recently appeared on "Jay Leno's Garage." In addition to being special to Datsun and Nissan fans, the 1600 also has special significance for Leno because one of these roadsters was his second car purchase (after a 1934 Ford pickup truck). His car was nothing like this red roadster, though. The car started out as a bare shell, Spagnola said. While aesthetic changes are essentially limited to bigger wheels and tires with fender flares to cover them, a surprise waits under the hood. Datsun 1600 restomod on Jay Leno's Garage The Datsun is powered by an SR20DET turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 from an S13-generation Nissan 240SX. While still a Nissan engine, it's easy to modify and has extensive aftermarket support. With an aftermarket turbocharger, it makes about 300 hp at the wheels, and about 260-lb-ft of torque, Spagnola said. That's a lot more than the stock engine. The new engine does fit more snugly in the engine bay, however, and Spagnola had to put some gold-leaf insulation on the hood to deal with the heat thrown off by the turbo. The brakes were sourced from a more modern Nissan sports car as well, in this case, a 300ZX. While the Datsun 1600's lineage continues with the 2023 Nissan Z sports car, the Datsun name itself may not be long for this world. After being retired in 1981, the Datsun name was revived in 2013 for emerging markets, selling cars in countries like India, Indonesia, and Russia. But Nissan is mulling killing off Datsun again and reallocating resources to its electric-vehicle business, Nikkei Asia reported in April 2022. Check out the full video for more information on the car and to hear Jay's thoughts about how this car drives. Spoiler, he's impressed.

Reposted From Source: motorauthority.com


[BACK]

Tesla Cybertruck Rescues Ford F-150 Tesla Cybertruck Rescues Ford F-150

Posted On: February 13, 2024
The Tesla Cybertruck is not a perfect vehicle, and it has been subjected to much mockery over the past months for its alleged failings. These include the all-electric pickup truck’s alleged i...[More]


Elon Dubs Tesla Odometer Reading Lawsuit As Idiotic Elon Dubs Tesla Odometer Reading Lawsuit As Idiotic

Posted On: April 21, 2025
Elon Musk has responded sharply to a lawsuit alleging that Tesla speeds up its vehicles' odometers to avoid paying for warranty-covered repairs. Musk's comment about the lawsuit's alleg...[More]


Used EV Values Are Actually Rising in 2026 Used EV Values Are Actually Rising in 2026

Posted On: July 21, 2026
The used EV market is getting weird. Like its 2021 again, used car prices are rising. Gas prices and higher demand are making cheap E-V's an appreciating asset, according to a new report. ...[More]


Tesla Standard Model Y and Model 3 Feature Cuts Tesla Standard Model Y and Model 3 Feature Cuts

Posted On: October 9, 2025
The new Tesla Model Y Standard and Model 3 Standard are $5,000 and $5,500 more affordable than the rest of the lineup, respectively. Tesla cut a laundry list of features from the cars to make them ...[More]


Tesla Giga Mexico Could Boost Cross-Border Trade by $15B Experts Say Tesla Giga Mexico Could Boost Cross-Border Trade by $15B Experts Say

Posted On: March 22, 2023
Tesla Giga Mexico could boost cross-border trade by $15 billion, experts say. In addition to transporting finished vehicles, the company's suppliers will deliver a lot of materials and components,...[More]


Tesla Cybertruck Production Nears as Important Component of Stamping Machine Arrives Tesla Cybertruck Production Nears as Important Component of Stamping Machine Arrives

Posted On: May 13, 2023
Tesla Cybertruck production is approaching and the installation of equipment continues. According to observations, an important component of the stamping machine has been delivered. The public i...[More]


The Boring Company to Switch State of Incorporation The Boring Company to Switch State of Incorporation

Posted On: February 12, 2024
The Boring Company (TBC) will switch its state of incorporation to Nevada by March 2023. The tunnel boring company is the second Elon Musk-led company to announce a switch in its state of incorpora...[More]


Shell Closing its California Hydrogen Refueling Stations Shell Closing its California Hydrogen Refueling Stations

Posted On: February 11, 2024
Oil giant Shell announced plans to close its California hydrogen refueling stations this week, as much of the automotive industry is continuing to develop hydrogen fuel cell solutions alongside the po...[More]


Elon Musk Teases Details of Tesla Cybertruck Boat Mode Elon Musk Teases Details of Tesla Cybertruck Boat Mode

Posted On: December 19, 2023
Anyone who has followed Tesla for an extended period of time would know that CEO Elon Musk says a lot of aspirational things about the electric vehicle maker's products. Some of them initially ...[More]


Elon Musk Teases Optimus Robocop Job Elon Musk Teases Optimus Robocop Job

Posted On: November 11, 2025
Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased a potential job for the company's Optimus robot last week that is straight out of the movie "Robocop". "Robocop" aimed to show a futuristic look a...[More]


TOP