Featured - April 2024

Tyrie has always owned Datsuns. Apart from a short time playing with other Nissans (a K11 micra and a S13 silvia), he's always had a Datsun. Previously a member of ACTDAT and SEADAT, the local Datsun clubs which died a number of years ago, it made sense to join HNCR to be able to share his passion for old Nissans with other local enthusiasts.

He bought this 1971 Datsun 1600 sight unseen from Adelaide 8 years ago. It was one of the original 1990's FJ20 Turbo converted 1600s from Sydney, which had spent the previous 10 years unregistered, doing the Mt Alma hillclimb and not much else. Tyrie got it freighted over from SA by Get My Ride and got it registered again. Thankfully it came with the original engineer's certificate from the 90's!

Note: Tyrie in his 1600 the day it arrived from Adelaide

Over the next few years it did a number of hillclimbs, motorkhanas, track days, drag racing, 1000m racing and Summernats. As things broke they were replaced and upgraded, including three gearbox upgrades, diff, suspension, fuel system, turbo etc

Note: First-time Summernats entrant!

Note: Last time Summernats entrant :D

When purchased the car made 212kw at the wheels and ran a 13 second ¼ mile. It now makes 330kw and has run a best of 10.4 seconds over the quarter mile (11.1 seconds where it counts – at Coota!). Tyrie has a few plans to improve charge cooling including an upgraded intercooler and water/methanol injection to hopefully see a 10 second timeslip at Cootamundra.

Note: Where the magic happens

Tyrie also has an unhealthy habit of buying wheels he doesn't need for the Datsun. Some would say the 15x7" Superlites it came with were fine, but they were ditched pretty quickly in favour of some 14" starsharks, which were ditched for 17" TE37s, which have recently made way for 18" SSR Professors. Who knows what will come next?

Note: Occasionally it gets a wash

The car is currently reliable and street-driven, making its way to as many local events as possible including HNCR events as well as cars and coffee and other local car shows.

Note: Tyrie gets out driving with mates as often as possible

Tyrie Starrs

1971 Datsun 1600

THANKS
Glenn at ESP tuning.

Aaron at Garage76 for steering and suspension, wheel alignments.

Smitty for being consistently slower so the 1600 always looks fast by comparison.