MJS Award Winning Datsun PL411 For Sale

Stumbled across this familiar Datsun PL411 "Bluebird" during my morning craigslist search. I say familiar because this very car was displayed at the 2007 Motoring J Style show, where we awarded it an "Outstanding Car" award. 411s don't get nearly as much love as Roadsters, Zs, and 510s, but we think they're great little cars with very svelte European looks and a decent background in small-bore production car racing overseas.

This one, with its original California black plates, Libra wheels, and lacking its front bumper, truly has some presence. You can smirk at Alfa Giulia Super owners all day long (though you'll probably get smoked).

At $4900, it may be priced a little over the market at this time, but that will change. This would be a great car to prepare for vintage racing with CSRG's proposed "Slow Cars" class.

Find it on craigslist here!

CSRG: Bluebird Wipes Floor with Shelby, NASCAR Spins

THE 4th Annual CSRG Charity Challenge Vintage Races are in the books, and it was an epic vintage race weekend by all accounts. The field was eclectic as ever, including such rarities as a Maserati 250F Grand Prix Car, a Bugatti Type 59, and an 8C Alfa Romeo. Plenty of others filled out the eight classes, from the most famous and valuable Ferraris to super obscure cars like the French Rene Bonnet D'Jet.



There aren't too many car dealers out there who are also "car guys", but one serious exception to the rule is Gordon Walton of Walnut Creek Honda. That's him above in his gorgeous '67 Honda S800 in Turn 2. Check out his car below:










For once, we didn't have any of our own cars entered, so we got to relax and enjoy all the races from the stands... It was great not having to wake up at 6:30am!

We got to see the Historic NASCAR guys do their impression of a road course:







And there were a few things that made us look twice, like this Audi S5 parked in a fleet of RS4s out near Turn 5:



And a cool early 70s Alfa Romeo Berlina that was parked near all the Audis...




We love Alfas and if you don't, you need some knowledge. The Berlina is a sweet car, kind of like Italy's Datsun 510, with cooler instruments and a twincam motor. I want one.

But, wait, what's that over there?! We spotted this hakosuka Skyline in the Sears Point paddock:



In fact, this was the Skyline GT-X that appeared on the Bay Area craigslist site a month or two ago. Its new proud owner was none other than Jim Froula, who is well-known in vintage racing circles with his 1967 Datsun Bluebird, which he just happened to be racing this weekend:



This thing is immaculate...check it out:









That's one pretty sweet ride!



Don't be fooled: there's no Motoring J Style in the above photo. But the driver of the 912 is my friend Anne. Anne is cool because she actually races her daily-driven, black-plate Porsche 912. And here she's mixing it up hardcore with Alfas and Porsche 356s...you gotta respect that!

Well, that's it for now. Next weekend, look for an update on a rather more degenerate form of racing, the 4th running of the now-infamous 24 Hours of LeMons. Cheers!

Motoring J Style at CSRG Sears Point Vintage Races This Weekend!

CSRG (Classic Sports Racing Group) is holding their annual Charity Challenge Vintage Races this weekend at Sears Point Raceway ("Infineon" to you young guys) in Sonoma. This great event brings out the best NorCal vintage racers, as well as people all over the West Coast, to do battle in their nostalgic race cars. This year, the event features Historic Grand Prix and Historic NASCARs, with the opportunity to buy rides during lunch on both days in your favorite race car! Proceeds generated from the event go to local charities.

MOTORING J STYLE has teamed up with CSRG to bring a group of vintage Japanese car enthusiasts to the races! CSRG has kindly given us our own parking area for an MJS Car Corral. We're hoping to see some great old-schools out there! Anyone is welcome, though pre-87 Japanese cars are preferred.

Tickets are $20 at the gate, $10 for kids under 16. The ticket is good for both Saturday and Sunday. Corral will be on Saturday from 10AM-4PM. Show up anytime!

To get to the corral after you enter the track: Drive up the hill, turn right across from "Lot 2". This is called the "TV lot",and it overlooks the paddock from the back.

We look forward to seeing you there, and to watching some great races. There may even be a Datsun Bluebird Coupe and a Honda S800 on the track...

Questions? Hit me up at 415.479.9930 or dswig@motoringjstyle.com