QUICK-DELIVERY DATSUN

Photos by Eric Rickman

As a native son of Japan, Mike Haraguchi was exposed to his country's most popular automotive sport, road racing. Mike used to own a chopper, but he got hooked on road racing about seven years ago. As a student at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., it wasn't long before he discovered he was in the land of road racing and hot rods.

After laying out a cool $1500 to get his Datsun mini-truck over here, Mike decided to set it up as a road racer. Since there are no over-the-counter racing components for Datsun mini-trucks, Mike took his project to E.C. Springs in Norwalk, Calif. for the needed suspension modifications.

Three sets of front coils later, the front end was right. With the addition of a stiffer flat leaf spring in the rear and Koni shocks on the corners, the little jewel began to handle fairly respectably. When a 17mm anti-sway bar and a set of B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A B50x13 tires on American mag wheels were combined with a quick-ratio steering box, she began to handle even better.

A trip to Eddie & Paul Customs in El Segundo, Calif. to have the wheelwells flared was necesary before the wide tires would be mounted. For a touch of class, Mike mounted a Racemark 12-in. steering wheel in the cock-

Mike takes very good care of the midnight blue paint job. He isn't really that tall; the truck is low.

pit that complemented the diamond-pleated door panels.

The engine has been bored out to 1300cc and will soon be equipped with a set of dual 40 Weber carbs and a racing cam. The stock 3-speed box was swapped for a 4-speed stick shift from a Datsun 1200 coupe.

The fact that Mike is a good student is made quite apparent by the thoroughness with which he's learned the safety lessons taught by road racing. Note the full roll bar and its bracing system. There is also a fire extinguisher close at hand, while the seats are equipped with a full set of Deist seat belts and shoulder harnesses. That Wink wide-angle rearview mirror is a favoriate of Petty and the good 'ol boys in the NASCAR circuit. Mike is a lot safer than he realizes; there will be no one-arm driving, necking or making out while traveling in the front seat of this Li'l Hustler. When he gets back home, Mike will be able to show the locals what a quick trip down the Ginza is really like

This is one way to get to classes in a hurry. Mike Haraguchi's road racer mini handles the way it looks.

168/COMPLETE BOOK OF DATSUN

No, the picture isn't flopped; the steering really is on the right. Mike spent $1500 to import his truck.

Wheel flares add a nice touch and clear the B.F. Goodrich tires easily. Chin spoiler gives that racy look.

Diamond-tufted door panels and a Racemark 12-in. wheel give cockpit a touch of class. Note Deist belts.

Mike peers around well-built roll bar brace. Note fire extinguisher. Special wide mirror is very helpful.