when I became old enough to drive, my parents decided (in the family tradition) to purchase me a car. apparently, the options that my father chose from were a 1982 Honda, or a 1978 datsun f10. he settled on the less reliable f10. it was a wonder-car, it was a 5 speed that started at reverse:
R 2 4
1 3 5
its clutch was so loose that when I was driving with my friends, I'd yell "punch it chewy!" to switch from 2nd to 3rd in one swift pull without touching the clutch.
it was a hell car, but I'm still nostalgic for it, likely more than I would have been for the honda that would probably have been much more reliable.
I still have an affinity for Japanese small cars, and am glad it was in my life.
that was one of the unfortunate rebrandings. datsun was an amazing brand, and I understand in hindsight the focus on Nissan, but they had such opportunity!
Yeah, I know. But I never miss an opportunity to use that gag...
(On one of my motorcycles at trackdays, I shift up on straights by holding pressure on the gear lever and waiting for it to hit the revlimiter, which eases the torque just enough to make it shift smoothly...)
it was a hell car, but I'm still nostalgic for it, likely more than I would have been for the honda that would probably have been much more reliable.
I still have an affinity for Japanese small cars, and am glad it was in my life.
datsun, I miss you.