Datsun Fairlady roadster needs a new home

This could be the classic car you have been waiting for.

Here is another ‘almost’ barn find. Owned for the last 30 years by a good friend, he has sadly neglected this classic roadster for some 10 years. The good news is that the car was stored well in a dry garage and surprisingly when we took these pictures, just one click of the ignition and it fired up.

Ignite the passion

Not the smoothest of 4-cylinders, but this Datsun engine works, the electrics all work, the 4-speed gear shifts smoothly enough and this car can be driven. It needs to be road taxed and insured and it is ready to go.  

From our analysis, a full body restoration is needed as the paint is completely weathered and the interior needs some touch up to be liveable or a complete re-trim if you want that concourse look and feel. 

The owner has sadly lost interest in this classic Japanese roadster and with only 4-5 surviving units in Malaysia (to our knowledge) he is looking at selling this rare Japanese roadster.

Who will lead you down the right path

Contact us at www.dsf.my and we will share more details and arrange a viewing. Meanwhile, here below is some history on this rare drop top Japanese Datsun in case you are seeing this for the very first time.

Datsun’s first serious attempt at building a sports car was the original Fairlady, introduced in 1500 form in 1963, the attractive Italian like styling coupled with some distinctly Japanese touches.

History shared

Designated internally as SPL-310, it is estimated that fewer than 2,000 Datsun 1500s were sold in America, making them significantly rarer than the cars that followed. The 1500 featured a unique single rear seat that faced sideways, drum brakes, a low-profile removable windshield, a simple, flat dashboard with toggle switches, and a 1.5-liter overhead-valve inline-four paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Early single-carburetor versions produced a decent 77hp, but most 1500 versions were equipped with dual carbs, boosting the engine to a quick 85hp.

Who else

Sold in both right and left-hand drive form, this early Fairlady was a roadster very much in competition with the European rivals like MG, Triumph, Sunbeam and maybe even BMW and well equipped by the standards of the day, with a clock, radio and tonneau all provided as standard.

If you are looking for a roadster that you can drive everyday and will appreciate in value over the years, contact us and we will point you to the owner.