First up is the 1973 Datsun 1200 UTE. Immediately, my attention was drawn to the hood of this tiny truck. There is a massive roots type blower protruding through an equally large opening. Underneath, a supercharged 6.0-liter GM LS4 V8 engine is capable of churning out 950hp. The LS4 block is cast iron and the crankshaft is stock. The blower is a GM 8-71, and it has a methanol injection setup that keeps intake air chilled. Shifting duties are handled via a 3-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel drive pickup weighs-in at 2,425-pounds. Every inch of this Datsun looks jam up and jelly straight.
In the other lane is a savage 2004 Honda Odyssey – yes, I said Honda Odyssey. This rear-wheel drive grocery-getter has been modified with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. It can pony up 500hp and tips the scale at 3,968-pounds.
Time to get these two crazy cruisers on the tarmac for an Australian style tussle. G’day mates (and Sheilas).