1967 Datsun 1600

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This award-winning 1967 Datsun 1600 really looks like a good time waiting to happen. And that's how it should be given the cars dynamic styling and more than $50,000 in restoration receipts. It is a real head turner and a blast to drive with its small size, dual-carb 1.6L engine, and 5-speed transmission swap. While there are plenty of shoddy old two-seat roadsters out there, this is not one of them.

When you mention a compact 1960s two-seat roadster the conversation often goes to England and brands like Austin Healey, MG, and Triumph. However, Japan also had a lot to offer as demonstrated by this car. With its body-on-frame construction, the Fairlady 1600 offered all the performance of those competing brands and ultimately morphed into the 240Z platform. This model also led to Datsun's very successful racing program with Pete Brock / BRE. Its a heritage to be proud of.

This car was most recently titled in California where it received a great deal of refurbishment from 2013-14. Body and paint work alone exceeded $30,000. This encompassed disassembly and chemical stripping. Any needed metal repair / replacement was performed including new floor pan sections and outer rocker panels. Note the side trim was shaved as well for a sleeker look. Once complete, this was followed by a magnificent paint job in metallic blue that really stands out. It also received new rubber seals and emblems. Many of the trim pieces were rechromed and a new top was installed along with a vintage luggage rack. Finally, Panasport wheels were fitted for some extra flair and sportiness.

The drivetrain features Nissans 1.6L 4-cylinder engine fueled by dual SU side draft carburetors. It is factory rated at 96 hp which provides plenty of pep for a car that hardly weighs 2,000 pounds. The original 4-speed transmission was replaced in favor of a 5-speed gearbox with overdrive for better highway performance. The suspension received new front coil springs and re-arched rear leaf springs along with new bushings. Work on the brakes included a rebuilt master cylinder and calipers along with new hoses, rotors, and wheel cylinders. Steering is very responsive and contributes to a rewarding driving experience.

The black interior is in excellent condition as shown in the pictures. It has dual bucket seats surrounding a center console with storage compartment. The door panels offer storage pockets too and have unique pull handles down low. Looking at the dashboard you see a clean, uncluttered arrangement that never goes out of style. The steering wheel has been replaced with a Momo piece, and a modern digital radio with Bluetooth has been installed. All lights and gauges work properly as do the horn, wipers, and parking brake. The car includes a cockpit tonneau cover that also serves as a convertible top boot. An owners manual is present as well.

While the classic two-seat roadster market is flush with low-budget project cars, this Datsun is definitely not in that category. It is really a beautiful 1600, having been awarded first place in class at the annual Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic in 2014. And it not only looks great but is quite literally a ton of fun.