1966 Datsun Roadster | Minimal Safety, Maximum Fun

Thanks to my day job at Kelley Blue Book, I drive and review lots of cars. This 1966 Datsun Roadster is not one of them. This little Japanese beauty is owned by Lyn Woodward, my co-host on Kelley Blue Book’s YouTube channel.

Lyn graciously let me take the wheel of her 1600 Roadster to experience the kind of raw, untamed fun that modern safety simply won’t allow. The 1966 Datsun Roadster originally produced 96 horsepower and 98 lb-ft of torque from its dual-carbureted 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. However, Lyn’s car features a more powerful 1.6-liter engine pulled from a 1969 model. Apparently, it’s good for about 102 horsepower. Whatever extra punch those extra horses might provide, Lyn Woodward’s Datsun is still very slow to accelerate when compared to virtually any modern car.

Slow or not, this 1966 Datsun Roadster is an absolute thrill to drive. To make sure we exploited it’s fun potential we drove Lyn’s Roadster along Los Angeles’s famed Mulholland drive. While snaking along Mulholland’s many turns we enjoyed joyful if not mind-bending cornering abilities, gleefully windblown hair, an expansive view in all directions, and brakes that sucked. Seriously, old drum brakes are only marginally effective and demand immense leg pressure to work in any meaningful way.

Lyn Woodward is a joy to watch on YouTube and a joy to drive with. During our outing I learned to appreciate the wonders of 1966 open-top motoring while better understanding what drives Lyn’s love for her adorable Roadster. Stick to the end and you’ll learn a mind blowing detail of Lyn’s origin story. Seriously, it’s worth the wait. #MicahDrives

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