Restoration Thread - The Standefer Datsun 1200

[Steve Holmes]

The Datsun was painted factory metallic blue, and remained this colour until 1980, when David had it repainted in its attractive two-tone livery. The development was ongoing. Back in the 1970s, Datsun in the US was extremely proactive in helping racers compete and win with their products. They produced a vast catalogue, called the Datsun Competition Parts Catalogue, from which could be ordered almost any racing part for any Datsun model. In addition, there were books on how to make Datsun race cars competitive, providing info on engines, brakes, suspension etc. Throughout the 1970s, SCCA racing was awash with Datsun racers in both B/Sedan, C/Sedan, plus various Production sports car classes. The Datsun 2000 Roadster, 240Z, 510 (known elsewhere as the 1600), 1200, B210, 710, etc, were all hugely popular, and all models enjoyed enormous success. It was through its active racing programs that the Datsun brand was established in the US market.

Pete Brock, who was involved in the design of the 1963 Corvette Stingray, as well as the Daytona Cobra Coupe, established Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) and picked up a Datsun racing contract, going on to achieve great things with the 2000 Roadster in D/Production in 1968 and ‘69, the 240Z in C/Production from 1970, and the 510 in the Trans-Am 2.5 Championship. Others, including Bob Sharp and Jim Fitzgerald, etc, were also highly successful Datsun racers. Many will be aware that actor Paul Newman raced Datsuns and Nissans for years, and became an SCCA National Champion. Kiwi racer Rodger Freeth raced a Nissan 300ZX space-frame IMSA car previously raced by Newman. Datsuns with good period racing history have now become highly collectable, particularly the 240Zs and 510s.

As for my car, when Mike Eby purchased it off Ron in 1981, he rebuilt it with a new roll cage, and repainted it red/white/blue. He then qualified for the 1982 SCCA Runoffs, finishing sixth. So in two years, it finished fourth and sixth in the National Championship. Mike continued racing it, but didn’t compete at the Runoffs again, and it was eventually sold to Matt Grassi, who repainted it red. Matt continued racing it (by now the SCCA had reshuffled its classes once more and GT-4 was now GT-5). He then sold it to Brad Lewis, who stripped all the old paint off and repainted it aqua blue. Brad then qualified again for the Runoffs in 1999 and 2000. It still wears Brad’s paint scheme today, albeit in rough shape.









As well as the tracks listed above when Ron drove it, its also raced at Mid-Ohio, St Louis Raceway, Pocono, Rockingham, Mid-America Raceway, Memphis Raceway, Gateway International Raceway, Blackhawk Farm, and Huntsville. Unfortunately, the log books I have only go back to the 1990s. They don’t include the early stuff. I guess the early log books have all been lost.

To be continued.....