Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
This thread started out with the late 70’s early 80’s vintage photos, but with Carls input later on in the thread injecting some very early 510 footage of BRE in the Mexican Baja 1000 in a 68 Datsun 510, well I had to start at the beginning with photos of Reinhard Klein’s books Rally and later Rally Cars both mixed in chronological order (as best I could).
Enjoy Datsuns on the world stage …
This 710 is likely my favorite photo of any Datsun in these two books
I was about to invade another thread with these photos, but realized that this should be documented on it’s own.
Most people don’t seem to realize that Datsun did have a spot on the world stage in the early 80’s, notably gaining recognition for its long distance runners. Shekhar Mehta proving this with 4 Safari wins in a rows with the Violet with various co-drivers including his wife!
So this…
…evolved into this…
…inspiring this…
…which morphed into this. As quick at the 240RS was, it still couldn’t hold much against the competition once Group B got going. It was nearing the end of an era for Nissan.
And the end of an era; These were the last RWD Datsun’s to grace Africa or Europe, the end of an era for both RWD and Datsun.
Photo credits goes to Reinhard Klein in his books Rally Cars, and Rally. Although his photos of Datsun’s were not always favorable, we are indebted to his for taking and publishing these photos just the same – thanks Reinhard.
Byron
Enjoy Datsuns on the world stage …
This 710 is likely my favorite photo of any Datsun in these two books
I was about to invade another thread with these photos, but realized that this should be documented on it’s own.
Most people don’t seem to realize that Datsun did have a spot on the world stage in the early 80’s, notably gaining recognition for its long distance runners. Shekhar Mehta proving this with 4 Safari wins in a rows with the Violet with various co-drivers including his wife!
So this…
…evolved into this…
…inspiring this…
…which morphed into this. As quick at the 240RS was, it still couldn’t hold much against the competition once Group B got going. It was nearing the end of an era for Nissan.
And the end of an era; These were the last RWD Datsun’s to grace Africa or Europe, the end of an era for both RWD and Datsun.
Photo credits goes to Reinhard Klein in his books Rally Cars, and Rally. Although his photos of Datsun’s were not always favorable, we are indebted to his for taking and publishing these photos just the same – thanks Reinhard.
Byron
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
because the opposite never works.
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Much Earlier:
BRE became a Nissan Factory Competition Team in 1968. That was the first year BRE ran a Datsun 510 in the Baja 1000 {then called the Mexican 1000}.
From 1967 and until 1973 the Baja 500 and 1000 were ran mostly on a course somewhat like the current WRC Mexico Rally. Dirt roads through deserts and mountains. By 1973 the course was comprised of far more rock climbing, boulder dodging and very rough terrain - better suited to trucks/4WD's and specialty vehicles.
If you want an "idea" of what the course was like - you can see the course used for the WRC Mexico Rally here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZcVLF5W ... re=related
Pictured below: Peter Brock and Rex Ramsey with the 510 then the Patrol, 510 and Pickup prepared for Baja Duty. For 1969 Nissan sent four Factory Works 510's for BRE use.
FWIW,
Carl B.
BRE became a Nissan Factory Competition Team in 1968. That was the first year BRE ran a Datsun 510 in the Baja 1000 {then called the Mexican 1000}.
From 1967 and until 1973 the Baja 500 and 1000 were ran mostly on a course somewhat like the current WRC Mexico Rally. Dirt roads through deserts and mountains. By 1973 the course was comprised of far more rock climbing, boulder dodging and very rough terrain - better suited to trucks/4WD's and specialty vehicles.
If you want an "idea" of what the course was like - you can see the course used for the WRC Mexico Rally here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZcVLF5W ... re=related
Pictured below: Peter Brock and Rex Ramsey with the 510 then the Patrol, 510 and Pickup prepared for Baja Duty. For 1969 Nissan sent four Factory Works 510's for BRE use.
FWIW,
Carl B.
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Carl,
I'll be damned! I had no idea that there were 521 or Patrols used in the Baja. I knew about the 510...learn something new every day.
Where did you find these photos, and are there more?
Byron
I'll be damned! I had no idea that there were 521 or Patrols used in the Baja. I knew about the 510...learn something new every day.
Where did you find these photos, and are there more?
Byron
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
because the opposite never works.
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
I've got some Mexican 1000 shots that I scanned from Bob Waar who borrowed Mac Tilton's 510 collection. I'll dig 'em up, but I'd never seen either of Carl's pictures before either
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Hi Byron510:
The photo's were shot at the BRE Shop in 1968 - They were Publicity/PR Photo's taken by the Datsun Competition Department. Just part of my research related to BRE's efforts at the Baja.
I started searching for information related to that subject after reading "the Stainless Steel Carrot" by Sylvia Wilkinson. She followed the BRE Team around during the 1972 season and then wrote the book about the team and competitions. One chapter was about Peter Brock and John Morton running the Baja in 72. After reading the book I started looking for the BRE Baja cars/trucks. Les Cannaday and I shared an interest in the subject. Les has one of the 1969 Baja 510's. He found the BRE Baja Z and then went to pick it up for me. All in all - about a 20 year long project...
Mary McGee was a motorcycle racer first - then ran a 521 in the first Baja 1000 in 1967. Peter Brock crewed for her - and got hooked on the Baja, then came back with his own team in 1968. This time with Mary and John Timanus driving the 521.
FWIW,
Carl B.
The photo's were shot at the BRE Shop in 1968 - They were Publicity/PR Photo's taken by the Datsun Competition Department. Just part of my research related to BRE's efforts at the Baja.
I started searching for information related to that subject after reading "the Stainless Steel Carrot" by Sylvia Wilkinson. She followed the BRE Team around during the 1972 season and then wrote the book about the team and competitions. One chapter was about Peter Brock and John Morton running the Baja in 72. After reading the book I started looking for the BRE Baja cars/trucks. Les Cannaday and I shared an interest in the subject. Les has one of the 1969 Baja 510's. He found the BRE Baja Z and then went to pick it up for me. All in all - about a 20 year long project...
Mary McGee was a motorcycle racer first - then ran a 521 in the first Baja 1000 in 1967. Peter Brock crewed for her - and got hooked on the Baja, then came back with his own team in 1968. This time with Mary and John Timanus driving the 521.
FWIW,
Carl B.
Re: TrackSide Photo
If Its OK -
I'll put in a Plug for my friends at TrackSide Photo - they have been covering the Baja since 1970 and have an extensive archive of photographs - that they have been getting on-line. You can order copies from them at very reasonable prices. They dug out a lot of photo's of the BRE Baja Z for me, as I was working on the restoration.
Les tells me that he will have the Baja 510 at the upcomming Mitty...
http://www.tracksidephoto.com/contact.shtml
Follow the links to "Classic Photo's" then drill on down to the 70's at Baja.
I'll put in a Plug for my friends at TrackSide Photo - they have been covering the Baja since 1970 and have an extensive archive of photographs - that they have been getting on-line. You can order copies from them at very reasonable prices. They dug out a lot of photo's of the BRE Baja Z for me, as I was working on the restoration.
Les tells me that he will have the Baja 510 at the upcomming Mitty...
http://www.tracksidephoto.com/contact.shtml
Follow the links to "Classic Photo's" then drill on down to the 70's at Baja.
1969 Mexican 1000 BRE Entries
Baja 1000 Advertisement:
As noted above, these are from the collection of Mac Tilton.
And the BRE contingent for the 1969 Mexican 1000:
As noted above, these are from the collection of Mac Tilton.
And the BRE contingent for the 1969 Mexican 1000:
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Very Cool photos.
Carl!!! Welcome to the realm!!! Glad to see you on here For anyone who doesn't know... Carl Beck knows his $hit so listen up when he posts !!!!
Carl!!! Welcome to the realm!!! Glad to see you on here For anyone who doesn't know... Carl Beck knows his $hit so listen up when he posts !!!!
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
damn! 510s are cool! I should get one!
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Thanks for sharing the photos!!
'67 1600 Roadster
'68 4-door 510
'68 4-door 510
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Hi Brandon:five&dime wrote:Very Cool photos.
Carl!!! Welcome to the realm!!! Glad to see you on here For anyone who doesn't know... Carl Beck knows his $hit so listen up when he posts !!!!
Thanks - I check in here every so often - usually just lurking
Right behind the Z, I love the 510's almost as much. I sold hundreds of them 71/72/73... although we never did get enough 73's to meet the demand. Drove the 610's for a couple years as well - they were never quite as much fun at the 510's but still quite a car for the money.
Very few 510's here in Florida and don't think I've seen a 610 in the past 20 years.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Mitty this year..
kind regards,
Carl B.
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Well Carl,
You lit a fire under my butt tonight. I found photos of Z cars in Africa for you, as well as the similar vintage 510's t complete the lineup. I have added them into the beginning of this thread to keep it all chronological.
Thanks so much for posting what you have – it’s awesome.
Byron
You lit a fire under my butt tonight. I found photos of Z cars in Africa for you, as well as the similar vintage 510's t complete the lineup. I have added them into the beginning of this thread to keep it all chronological.
Thanks so much for posting what you have – it’s awesome.
Byron
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
because the opposite never works.
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
I have a swack of pics i can add ... I also have bob waars aka john thawleys BRE archive on CD somewhere
Tony Fall, a good friend and co driver of Yvonne Mehta(amazing woman- runs a huge business empire in east africa) died of a jungle related illness while on the EA Safari vintage race 2 years ago.
Tony Fall, a good friend and co driver of Yvonne Mehta(amazing woman- runs a huge business empire in east africa) died of a jungle related illness while on the EA Safari vintage race 2 years ago.
Merlin from Datsunhistory.com
"test mule? I don't need no stinkin' test mule... Bert Vorgon is my test mule"
"test mule? I don't need no stinkin' test mule... Bert Vorgon is my test mule"
Re: Datsun's on the World Rally Stage
Hi Guys:
A couple more Baja Z's - I have not been able to find either of these still in existence today.
FWIW,
Carl B.
A couple more Baja Z's - I have not been able to find either of these still in existence today.
FWIW,
Carl B.