When Al Jones' classic B210 Sunny first caught our attention at
Goodwood's Sushi Sunday breakfast club meet at the tail end of last year we proclaimed it our car of the show. When it turned up at this year's
Bromley Pageant sporting the added bonus of an MX5 VVT lump we knew we had to bring you more.
Depending on your age you might remember when these cars were a relatively common sight on UK roads or you may have never seen one before. I'm one of the former, having fond memories of seeing an army of these (especially turquoise ones) rolling out of garages all over the place on pension day! Like far too many retro Japanese cars that landed on these shores most have disappeared with rust, banger racing, the export trade or just a perceived low value at the time taking it's toll on their numbers. Al's car goes a long way to showing what could have been if the cars were seen with a more sympathetic and respectful eye from day one. We asked Al a bit more about himself and the car:
Name: Al Jones
Age: 31
Occupation: Welder
Past rides: Rally spec Chevette, slammed and 1700 powered Mk1 Cortina, turbocharged germanlook Beetle, hotted up Mk1 Mini etc etc
Belong to any clubs?: Nope
Favourite crisp flavour: Cheesey
What's in your dream garage?: Everything....
Choose one...speed or style: Style
CURRENT RIDE:
Make: Datsun
Model: 120Y Coupe
Year: 1978
Mods: 1800cc VVT Mazda MX5 engine and box etc. 280ZX brakes, coilovers, anti tramp bars, panhard rod and some lowering
Wheels and tyres: 6 1/2x14 and 7x14 3 piece split rims with Goodrich tyres
Plans: Uprated rear axle, may go turbo then....
Thanks/shouts: my girlfriend Max for putting up with me, and also her fine retriming of the seats
Thanks Alan!
Posted on: June 18, 2009 18:31