Datsun was founded in 1914 (some 20-years before Toyota) and is the oldest Japanese car manufacturer.
Datsun was the first Japanese car manufacturer to come out with a true in house rally program which started back in 1969. Datsun’s Japanese headquarters saw from the start there was a huge marketing potential in rallying and their main attention was always to race in specific events which was the rally races in Monte Carlo and the the African Safari.
The first Datsun 1600SSS (the 510 model) was a simple, saloon car which were simple and robust and hugely successful in Africa, which was the type of events the Datsun 510 was aimed at. Later, Datsun launched the Fairlady 240Z, a 6-cylinder sports coupé that was aimed for Rallye Monte Carlo success. But the 240Z was big and it was never successful in both rallies.
Today, as a road going car it is an appreciating asset and much sought after by car collectors around the world.
