We absolutely love saving classics and while we have an appreciation for collecting cars, what we really love is keeping cars on the road. Well, reader Jim B has been a long time fan of the Datsun Fairlady Roadster and a few years back he finally bought one. He used it for a while, but then let it sit for a while. He got it back on the road about a year ago and started using again, but recently he hasn’t been using as much as it deserves. Rather than see it get parked again, he has decided to sell it. He knows there are a lot of passionate Datsun fans here and even more people who drive their classics here at Barn Finds, so he knew this was the place to list it for sale! We’re honored to be featuring his Datsun and at just $3,500 it’s a bargain for a driving Fairlady! From Jim B – Well, I’m finally ready to do it – sell my Datsun. I’ve owned it since 1998, and we’ve been through some amazing adventures together, but it’s time for it to go to a new home where it will be driven more often and enjoyed more than I can provide for it at this time. 

Here’s my car’s story: In 1998 I got the Datsun bug, having always wanted one since first grade, when my teacher Miss Hairgrove (her real name!) drove a red, probably ’68 plastic dash 1600 or 2000 (I was 6, and the valuable difference was lost on me at the time – but not now!). I’ve owned Austin–Healeys and much more, so the Datsun was an affordable alternative. I found mine through the old Recycler, in Chino Hills (about 40 miles east of where I was living at the time, in Santa Monica). The owner was using it as a daily driver to his job at the refinery in Carson – if you know SoCal, you know that’s no small commute in a 1600! I bought it right then and there, and have enjoyed it ever since.

I did a bad thing and let it sit for about 4 years but resurrected it a year ago and got all sorts of things done, including rebuilt Hitachi SU carbs; cleaned out gas tank; all new hydraulics (brake and clutch master cylinders are new); new brakes; recored radiator (I believe it’s a 3-row now); new Optima battery; full tune-up with new plugs, wires, cap, etc.; and I put in a slightly redone interior with new carpet, door panels and seats which are very comfy.

I’ve been enjoying it since, but I’m not driving it as much as I would like to, and that’s just not right. Datsuns are made to be driven.

The pluses: it’s an original black plate California car with a 1967 plate (beginning with T), not a DMV re-plated one like many are today;in other words, it’s a true California car that has lived its entire life here. It’s the last of the flat-dash Datsun roadsters; it’s the low-windshield car (they went to high windshield and plastic dashes in 1968); the car starts right up and is a blast to drive; it handles well and has minimal rattling (not bad for a 48 year old vehicle); it still has its original jack and possibly spare which holds air); the fuel and temp gauges work fine (the two most important); the blinkers work fine; all headlights and taillights work properly; ventilation controls work perfectly; it includes a porthole hardtop (which I never use), and even a car cover, though it’s torn slightly from use. And the new interior is very comfortable and terrific for open cockpit driving. I also have two extra doors I got from a Datsun roadster mailing list person; they are in tough shape but they do have glass.

The minuses: the car is elderly and at some point in the future, could use an engine/transmission rebuild. While the car starts up great and runs solidly, it is a bit tired when compared to a newly rebuilt 1600. The choke cables are too short and thus no longer connected, but again, with some pumping, it starts right up (I have a replacement choke assembly but have never installed it). The rear end leaks a bit of oil, as does the block, but not badly (small amounts over time). Not all of the interior was done; the dash pad and rear area of the cockpit are still old. The speedo and tach do not work, nor does the original Toshiba AM radio. The car took a slight front-end (probably a pole) at some point prior to my ownership, and you can see where the bumper was straightened and the hood bondo’d. But nothing major. Also, the rear wheel well flares have been inexplicably removed by a previous owner. Who the hell knows what was going on in their mind! There is minor topical rust on the hood and a couple other spots, but nothing that a bit of sandpaper wouldn’t take care of.

In all, the car is super super solid, and you can feel it when you drive it.

For years, Datsun roadsters were the ugly ducklings of the collector car world, with paltry asking prices and not much resale value. Today, they’re escalating slightly (rollers going for $1500-2000 and pretty beat examples for $3-4K, but I’m not trying to cash in on this trend. I simply want the car to go to a good home, which is why I’m asking Barn Finds to publish my listing and not putting it on Craigslist. I believe the right new owner is out there amongst BF’s many readers, waiting for a car just like this. I’m asking $3500 but MOSTLY I want it to go to the right person. Please email me at [email protected] with inquiries. The car is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, which is about a mile from the California Speedway at Fontana.

I want to thank Jim for sharing his Datsun with us and I truly hope someone here will give it a new home! These little roadsters are a blast to drive and this one looks like it’s about ready to be used on a daily basis. The fact that Jim already has some of the needed parts to make it a great driver is a nice plus! Just from the few conversations I’ve had with him, you can tell he really has enjoyed owning this car and wants to see it go to someone who will use it as much as it deserves! So who here would like to give Jim’s Datsun a place to call home?