For nearly 50 years, Datsun and Nissan used the Bluebird nameplate for various compact vehicles in global markets. While gearheads in the USA flock to the 510 Bluebird, they often overlook other generations of the compact car. Barn Finds reader Russell G. found this 1966 Datsun Bluebird 411 Deluxe Coupe here on Craigslist, and it shows that the 510’s direct predecessor shouldn’t be slept on.
This vehicle is available in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a clean title. As someone who lives in the same area and also loves old cars, I immediately recognized this one, because my friend Yousif is the seller. It is also important to note that while Datsun presented the 411 Bluebird to the U.S. market in sedan and wagon body styles, they never offered a coupe here, and this is one of two Deluxe trim 411 coupes in the United States.
A fun fact about the 411 is that Italy’s storied Pininfarina design firm developed the exterior styling. This example underwent a restoration in Okazaki, Japan by the previous owner, which included paint and bodywork. While the body of the vehicle is free from rot, the exterior’s chrome pieces will eventually need attention. Additionally, this Datsun utilizes a set of Bridgestone wheels at all four corners, but the vehicle’s sale will include the original ones.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find a simple, clean and mostly original interior. The only change is a period-correct aftermarket driver’s seat, though the original is also included. Because this 411 was only available for the Japanese market, it is a right-hand-drive model.
This well-sorted Datsun isn’t Yousif’s first rodeo when it comes to unique and imported vehicles, so it comes as no surprise that it runs and drives without issue. There is a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine under the hood, which pairs to a column-shifted 3-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels, and the drivetrain only has 83,000 original kilometers on it.
The price for this turnkey classic is $16,995 or best offer, and shipping options are also available. Could you see yourself cruising around in this unique 2-door Datsun?
How does the seller know that this is one of two in the US?
There’s a 410/411 collector and a small community on Facebook that keeps track of these. 6 coupes (and the first Deluxe Coupe) belong to said collector, one is in Oregon, and this is the eighth.
seems that JDM fans would be all over this
I’d love to have this little classic!
That price is gonna keep the smart ‘n sane ones away!
16K USD is a steep, when you consider what else is available for the same coin. We got these in Aus, in 4 dr form. I also drove forklifts with the same engine.
Well, the reason the 510 was so popular, was it was the 1st real Datsun we saw. I never saw any of these. The 510 had enough power to make it viable for US roads, this couldn’t get out of it’s own way, but you had to start somewhere. Older Asian cars are appreciating, but the seller is dreaming if they think this is worth 16g’s. Got to admire the sellers spirit, none like it, I suppose because at the time, nobody in America wanted one in the 1st place. 16g’s, let’s see, a 66 Datsun or nice Trans Am,,,see how silly it sounds?
Sweet looking Datsun. I’ve seen the 4 door sedan version of the 411, but never a 2 door version. Very nice. :)
Sure looks a lot like a BMW 2002 to me. I like it!
There was a sedan at a lock-in lot in Nashville that was in lovely shape, other than the rust in the gas tank. The woman in charge gladly gave me the keys, but was not nearly so friendly when I returned on foot from half a mile away. I told her there were local mechanics who could remedy that, but she just locked the gate again and there it sat … it was eventually hauled off, I very much fear to the scrap yard.
The engine was a dead ringer for a B-Series BMC 4 from the Fifties, not surprising as Nissan had licensed the design after WW2. I was familiar with its potential, having driven a co-worker friend’s 1600 Roadster whenever I could borrow it for shop errands. I was awfully disappointed not to have scored that little sedan, though probably lucky … !
@Willowen I think I know the lot you are talking about, northside of Nashville full of oddball stuff and everything behind chainlink? If not, I know of at least one other Datsun of this vintage, wagon, further south in Columbia, Tennessee. The lot I’m thinking of in Nashville contained at least one Corvair, an early Tempest, a Lloyd Alexander and a smattering of British cars.
No, this was out east, on Lebanon Pike between the cemetery and Spence Lane. The latter street was where I managed to park the car and hoof it back.
The place on Dickerson has had a lot of oddball stuff, including a Crosley Farm-O-Road and a very nice rebuilt BMC Mini 850 engine that was FS for about $400, and I really wanted that but blew it. When we were there a couple of years ago I was amazed to see it still there.
….Not far from where the Lane Motor Museum resides now. I do recall a small dealer on Spence Lane with an Excaliber, 67 Cadillac Coupe deVille and….wait for it….another Lloyd! This would have been like around 1996-97. In the fall and winter you could see this lot from the interstate if you were lucky enough to be stuck in traffic and not driving at 55 mph+