In the mid-1960s, Nissan (aka Datsun) was still trying to get a foothold in the U.S. market. One of their products was the Datsun Fairlady roadster, known as the 1500, 1600, or 2000 Sports from 1963-70.  From 1966, this one still has its original 1.6 -liter engine (hence the name), but it will need a complete cosmetic and mechanical restoration to be street-worthy again. Residing in Wilmington, North Carolina, this 1600 is available here on craigslist for $9,850. Barn Finder T.J. is on a roll with another cool tip!

The Fairlady was the predecessor to the Z-car in the Fairlady family and served as a competitor to those European sports cars like the MG, Triumph, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. The 1600 would be the middle range of the Sports series and was produced beginning in 1965. Physically, the 1500-2000 models would be physically the same, by-and-large. The cars deployed an independent front suspension with coil springs over hydraulic shocks. At the rear, it used common leaf springs, dampened also with hydraulic shocks. A pair of SU carburetors helped the 1600 OHV 4-cylinder motors produce 96 hp.

While about 4,000 of the 1500s and 13,000 of the 2000s were imported to the U.S., the 1600 had the best sales history at more than 26,000 copies. At about 70,000 miles, the seller’s car has seen much better days and it’s likely been stored somewhere (indoors or out) for some time. The body and paint are going to need a lot of attention as will the interior. The 1600-cc motor hasn’t run in some time, but the seller offers a 2000-cc block that you could substitute and have a more powerful (and potentially more valuable car?). But there is something to be said for sticking with numbers-matching, especially when it’s available (if repairable).

The seller makes it a point to say this car has “the 4-switches on the dashboard” which must be something important to fans or followers of the Fairlady’s. Besides the extra engine, we’re told a collection of spare parts will accompany the Datsun to its next home. Hagerty says one of these cars in good condition is worth twice the asking price (and certainly more in even better condition), but at what cost to get there?