Whereas the Miata is the go-to Japanese distillation of the standard British roadster, as we speak’s Good Value or No Cube Datsun proves it wasn’t the primary. Let’s see if this good-looking droptop comes with a value that instills some curiosity.
The 1999 Land Rover Discovery II we checked out yesterday supplied each impressively excessive and remarkably low mileage. The excessive was within the type of its 213,000-mile odometer studying, and the low is by the use of the 13 to 17 mpg the truck will get making these miles. One other low was the $7,500 asking, which a lot of you felt was an OK value, however may very well be higher spent elsewhere. The outcome was a slim 52 % No Cube loss.
That Disco drew the curtain to a detailed on 2024, and now that we’re within the unsure way forward for 2025, we should always ease our communal perturbation by trying again on less complicated instances and a comparably easy automobile—perhaps one thing like this 1966 Datsun 1600 ‘Fairlady’ Roadster.
It’s a standard false impression that the Datsun Roadster is a carbon copy of Britain’s MGB. The very fact of the matter is that the Japanese marque launched the SP310 Fairlady in 1961, a number of months previous to the MGB’s debut. Each automobiles have been, for the time, a contemporary tackle the standard two-seat open-top sports activities automobile, with roll-up home windows, a reasonably easy-to-erect convertible high, and fairly sporty dealing with. Initially, Datsun gave its automobile a 1500 cc OHV inline-four, borrowed from the Cedric saloon and making 85 horsepower in dual-carb kind.
For 1966, Datsun bumped the displacement by 100 ccs and rebadged the mannequin because the 1600 to indicate the bigger motor. That improve in displacement nudged the facility as much as 96 horses, which is yet one more than the up to date MGB might muster from its 1800 cc B-Collection 4. A 2.0-liter Roadster hit the market a yr later, providing much more energy. Each 1600 and 2000 fashions continued manufacturing till early 1970 when the S30 240Z outmoded them.
This 1600 is marketed as a “Clear, rust-free, California garaged automobile.” It’s claimed to be principally all unique, though there are some notable exceptions. The paint is an older respray and, as evidenced by the huge overspray on the boot lid climate seal, it was an Earl of Scheib-quality job. Different points embody failing rubber scrapers on the door tops and a few janky-looking audio system which were mounted by way of holes reduce within the entrance wall of the boot.
On the flip aspect, the automobile appears to be stable, has all its trim, and options what appear like new tires, save for the spare. Most significantly, the engine is alleged to be 1000K recent. A brand new clutch, brakes, and shocks include that rebuilt motor.
The inside appears completely liveable, though the Pep Boys steering wheel cowl would possibly want a re-thought. All the things else seems to be in respectable situation, and all of it comes beneath a convertible high that, whereas not proven within the advert, is claimed to be in “fine condition.” All wrapped up, it comes with a clear title and simply 64K on the clock.
That each one makes this an ideal turn-key basic for somebody on a finances. It does, that’s, if stated finances can swing the vendor’s $11,500 asking value. 5 or ten years in the past that will have been loopy cash to ask for a 1600 Roadster. Heck, it might have been a stretch for the later 2000s, too. Occasions have modified, nonetheless, and the Fairlady has gained a large following, maybe pulled alongside by the loopy improve in reputation the Z automobiles have seen. Meaning we should take into account this 1600’s perceived worth with recent eyes.
With that in thoughts, what’s your tackle this 1600 Roadster and that $11,500 asking? Does that appear honest, given the rebuilt mill and total respectable presentation? Or does that make this one unfair girl?
You resolve!
San Francisco Bay Space, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Paul Brenden for the hookup!
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