Even though the name Datsun Sports (or Datsun Fairlady in Japan) may not ring a bell to many readers, the series was a very important model for the carmaker, which we know today as Nissan, as it led to the creation of the Z series starting with the 240Z in 1968.
The Datsun Sports line was introduced in 1959 as an inexpensive alternative to the MG and Triumph roadsters, borrowing many styling cues from British models.
The first model, codenamed S211, used a tiny 1.0-liter engine with just 36-horsepower but the lineup gained momentum and in 1967, the Japanese carmaker introduced the last version of the series, the SR311/SRL311.
It was fitted with a much more potent 2.0-liter inline-four producing 133HP in normal guise and 150HP with an optional package featuring dual Mikuni/Solex carburetors and a special camshaft, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox which was uncommon for the time.
The one we found up for sale on eBay is a 1967 Datsun Sports 2000 with the aforementioned package, which makes it pretty rare. The seller says that the car has undergone a complete frame-off restoration.
The "Buy it Now" price is US$35,000 while the highest bid at the time we wrote this article was US$18,100.
4 Comments:
It's gorgeous. Much better looking than today's sports cars. Today's cars are too big, too chunky, too heavy, too aerodynamic. I prefer cars with a bit of character.
I'm in love!
Beautiful classic
I had my eye on one of these in 1981. A fellow college student was selling his for $1200. It looked and ran great...until I found out that, during the engine rebuild, the current owner had dropped a freeze plug inside the block, and was unable to find it. The motor began overheating after a few miles. I was not in a position to even try to fix that (college student, in the dorm, no real tools, etc) so I reluctantly turned it down. In hindsight, it was a wise decision (baffling, considering some of my LATER stupid choices). I probably would have toasted the motor, not having the money to fix it. However, the money WAS invested wisely. I paid for my girlfriend's tuition that semester. She repaid me by marrying me! Now, she might not think it was such a hot investment, in hindsight...
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