1977 Datsun 200SX
This car belongs to Yuri, a former college classmate, though it’s soon to be purchased our mutual friend (and my former college roommate Joel, who is pictured). Never having seen one before I was extremely interested, and Joel did not hesitate to fill me in with all the details. Yuri has done quite a bit of creative work to it, including- but not limited to:
-Datsun 620 front bumper with modified Volvo 240 chin spoiler
-Rear bumpers from a ‘72 300 series Mercedes (unmodified, and they look amazingly stock by the way)
-15x6 “Swastika” wheels from the ‘82-84 280ZX Turbo
-Lowered on KYB shocks all around.
-Fender mirrors and newer seats.
Only sold in the US for two years, this one is a survivor with only 47K original miles; and most definitely a car people aren’t used to seeing, soliciting comments and thumbs up from passers-by. A short ride through industrial LA certainly brought a smile to my face.
1969 Datsun 510 Station Wagon (1968-73)*
The 510 is a fantastic piece of automotive history, with a success story akin to its German rival the 1600/2002 (read more here) The wagon is certainly my favorite, mainly because I love wagons. However, a more logical reason is that the 510’s competition (BMW, MG) simply did not see the value in a wagon variant, and therefore the Datsun probably stands alone as the most versatile compact wagon of the era.
While this one is a bit distressed, there are some unique owner-added details, most importantly that open wheel racecar sticker. Not the best sticker I’ve seen but pretty close.
Seen in NE Porltand
*also…500 posts as of today. Woot!
First generation Nissan Maxima diesel wagon (Datsun 810/Bluebird 1980-84, this is an ‘81)
This is something special to me. I have a soft spot for Nissan Maximas, having owned third and fourth generation models, I can safely say Nissan knows how to make a great engine.
This however, is a rare bird (no pun intended). It’s not a V6 like most Maximas, but rather a 2.8L inline unit, and a diesel at that…and its RWD. Make it a wagon and you have an amazingly weird piece of automotive nostalgia (though you may soon be able to live the dream via Mazda).
Lastly, in this burgeoning age of in-car electronics, the Maxima featured a a mini phonograph to alert you to simple warnings like an unfastened seat belt. Ridiculous but true.
Happily spotted in NE Portland
Datsun 240Z (1970-73) featuring amazing DIY custom paint work. Looks like the owner might have lost interest though, since it’s being reclaimed by nature.
Seen in NE Portland
This is a Datsun 280 Z 2+2 Coupe in 510 Blue (1975-78, though this is a ‘77-78 based on the bumper style). The 2+2 was a more practical version of the standard car, able to (barely) fit 4 passengers with a slightly longer wheelbase and extended quarter window. While the 280 is by no means the prettiest S30 iteration, it surely isn’t the ugliest Z to ever be produced.
Seen in NE Portland
Second generation Datsun F10 (also known as the Cherry, 1974-78) seen in 675 Maroon Metallic. I have been waiting a long time to see this parked. It must have been 3-4 months ago that it passed me on the highway on the way to work.
This was Datsun’s first FWD vehicle in North America, an oddly proportioned hatch (though it came in several variations). I do love the oversized headlight and tail light bezels, though.
Seen in NE Portland
On the subject of Japanese wagons, here’s a lovingly restored 510 wagon (1968-73). You could probably put minilite-style wheels on almost any pre-‘75 import and I would like it.
Seen in NE Portland
First Generation Datsun 240Z (Series II 1971-73) in a brilliant shade of Key Lime Pie (It’s actually “112 Yellow,” I guess marketing didn’t really have their thinking caps on). The 240Z is, for me, the birth of the true Japanese sports car. Yes, there are others that have come before it, but few have had such a lasting impression. In profile, it reminds me of a Corvette, but through a Japanese lens.
Random fact, in Japan this car was called the “Fairlady Zebra,” which is infinitely cooler than “240Z.”
Seen in SE Portland
1980’s Datsun (by Nissan!) 510 Hatchback, in very original condition. While it is not the most elegant 510, this is still a solid daily driver, with RWD and a decent motor. Sadly, over the past year I must have driven by this thing 10 times and never seen it move.
Seen in NE Portland
Third Generation 1977 Datsun B210 (Sunny) coupe seen in SE Portland.
This was the first time the owner actually came out to talk to me while I was taking pictures. He sorta looked like Albert Einstien, and talked about how it was his wife’s car that didn’t get driven much…obviously. He said they were the original owners and he was pretty pleased with the gas mileage (one of the highest in the US for the time), and perhaps one day he would fix it up. I don’t see that day coming soon but it really wasn’t in too terrible of shape, and since the chrome on those huge US spec bumpers is all but gone, he could slap some JDM ones on there while he was at it.
1980-82 Datsun 210 coupe seen in NE Portland. I am amazed not only at the amount of old Datsuns around here, but the amount of old 210s. I have never seen one in my life and now I seem to see one every week. Such a boring little car, but underneath, a little 1.2 with a 5 speed, FR layout, and all under 2000 lbs…
Sounds like it could be more fun than anything in this segment these days.
Early ’70s Datsun 710 Station Wagon…mint other than the unfortunate dent on the hood. Seen in SE Portland earlier this year.
Its summer, its not raining in Portland (gasp!), so lets celebrate with a Nissan Sunny (aka Datsun 1200). Other than the mangled door this is a great example of one of the more rare Datsuns, generally overshadowed by the more obvious 510. This one has a great stance and I really love the front fascia, quite possibly more than the 510. This one is a 1970-76 model and was offered alongside your choice of 5 or 3 door wagon and a sedan.
For those who wank to know more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datsun_1200
