Posts Tagged ‘datsun’

London Bridge is Falling Down – 1966 Datsun Fairlady Roadster

July 27, 2009

Back when I was looking at buying my first sports car, this was among the list of possible cars. They were (as they were originally marketed) a reasonably-priced sports car with European style and near the top of their class (4-cyl. roadsters) in power. As it happens, I ended up with my Alfa, largely because the Datsuns were fairly uncommon, even in the early 90s, and 60s Japanese cars did not have as much cachet as they do now. As with most older sports cars, their shrinking numbers, and the increasing disposable income of buyers, means the cost to purchase one of these has gone up, at least one that fits into the rusty-but-trusty segment of the market.

The subject of today’s post is this 1966 Datsun 1600 Roadster in Placerville, CA for $2500. As one of the earlier cars, this has less power (a still respectable 95hp), but no doubt, fans of the 1600 will tell you a smaller engine revs more sweetly.

1966 Datsun Roadster front

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1962 Datsun Bluebird 312 Station Wagon

May 26, 2009

Here’s a car that closer fits the oddball category than some of the other cars I’ve featured recently – a 1962 Datsun Bluebird 312 Station Wagon for $2650 in Calistoga, CA. I know, generally Japanese cars and oddball don’t go that well together. But they do when you reach this far back! I can’t honestly say I’ve ever seen one of these in person – if anything, I’ve seen its pickup brother on the road, which has a similar front end with a pickup tail. While the build quality of Japanese cars was not up to the European or American competition, my understanding is that even the older cars scored pretty well with reliability. This little car, while probably not so powerful, would still be a fun and unique ride to run around town.

1962 Datsun 312 wagon front

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