Speak up now or forever hold your piece not only applies to weddings but in car races as well. Have you ever wished you could take part in a world famous race? Well here is your big chance and like the old saying, there is no time like the present. My very good friend Francisco Ortiz has years of experience running La Carrera Panamericana in several cars. Last year he ran a beautifully prepared Datsun 510 replica of PETE BROCK’s BRE 510. Francisco is already signed up to run again this year’s world famous La Carrera Panamericana and is looking for a navigator. This is the opportunity of a lifetime in more ways than one. Since Francisco is from Mexico obviously he speaks Spanish (and English), has a very good understanding of all the customs of Mexico and knows the roads very well. This is a great opportunity for someone to arrive and take part without all of the concerns of the long drive to get there. All you need to do is arrive a couple days in advance with your racing suit and helmet and Francisco will be able to get you familier with your duties as navigator.
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It’s not much of a photo, but it’s the only one I can find right now. The white car is the Datsun B210 once piloted by Vince Whitehead. The two made quite the pair, capturing a Canadian championship way back when.

We think the B210 might make a pretty cool project here in The Garage. I’ll keep you up to date on the decision to move forward or not over the next couple of days.

Fresh off yesterday’s sweet e-bay find, Gary Faules has come across another cool Datsun 510. This one is being prepped to run this years La Carrera Panamerica against Gary & his GT-350 clone Lucky by a gentleman by the name of Francisco Ortiz.

You can keep tabs of Franscisco’s progress at his blog. You’ll do better if you can read Spanish, as Google Translator doesn’t really do it justice.

mmmmm…classic old school lines, period correct wheels, modern adaption of colour scheme and a big swingin’ wing. Wouldn’t this just look great in The Garage? One things is for sure, it would no longer be a trailer queen. It would be raced at every possible opportunity.

Current bid is a paltry $5,655, which seems a tad low for such a sweet machine.

Regular readers here in The Garage know that I’ve got a soft spot for the Nissan’s twisty warrior, the 350Z. In stock form it’s one of the best all around sports cars I’ve ever driven, besting many cars that cost more than double. This season, Nissan is upping the ante with a hi-po version that’s decked out with the full line of Nismo upgrades.

Beginning with the cosmetic stuff, there is a full aero package that was inspired by the factory Super GT Championship winning cars. This body kit doesn’t only look good though, as it provides additional downforce at high speeds that will be most welcome on lapping days.

One of the great things about 350Z owners is that many of them actually do take their cars to local track days. The Nismo is even better equipped for the track, with a tweaked suspension, free breathing exhaust and big Brembo brakes to slow things down. Horsepower is up to 306.

Read the full details from Nissan after the break
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Anybody who’s been around racing for a few decades will no doubt fondly recall a small bore, rear wheel drive Datsun of some sort or another. 510, B210, and later on the 200sx & the 240sx. They were cheap to run, reliable and a blast to drive. While Nissan has gotten it together with the 240/260/280’s spiritual successor, the 350Z, the car is still an expensive toy to run. What about the little guy?

Over at Autoblog, John Neff has reported that Nissan may be close to bringing a small, rear wheel drive car to life. Possibly based on the Foria Concept shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, the car would fulfil the cries of drifters and racers around the world.

Yesterday, Nissan announced that they have now produced 100 million vehicles. Since it’s beginnings in 1933, the Japanese manufacturer has built 76,640,000 cars at home and 23,500,000 abroad.

Nissan press release after the break

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