This pretty 1970 Datsun 1600 roadster is described as being an older restoration that is showing its age in places. I personally really like cars in this sort of condition, as they generally still look good enough to the average passer-by to be considered attractive, but aren’t so over-the-top complete that they carry a big-ticket price tag. The 1600 roadster is also a smart buy, in my opinion, as these are sporting drivers with classic roadster looks that haven’t become enormously expensive to buy. Find this 15-footer Fairlady with a claimed 36,000 miles on the clock here on eBay with bids to $6,500 and no reserve.

The Datsun is said to run and drive with no issues, and while the seller isn’t very detailed in his description, these are wonderfully simple cars to work on. All the small details appear correct here, with attractive chrome bumpers, original taillight lenses, and a soft top that appears to be in good order with a haze-free rear window. The Datsun was offered in 1500/1600/and 2000 trim, with engine size following accordingly. The car would become equally appreciated as an easy to love droptop or a hellraiser at the local autocross circuit. To this day, they remain a fixture in vintage racing circles.

The seller doesn’t specify to what extent the 1600 was restored, or when the refresh occurred. The interior doesn’t look particularly new, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the cockpit wasn’t touched as part of the restoration. The seats were always a disappointment to me in car like this; more thickly-bolstered buckets seemed appropriate for a car with sporting intentions. The bus-like steering wheel wasn’t unique to the Fairlady, however, as everything from the Datsun to the BMW 2002 has a gigantic apparatus like this. That’s easily resolved with any number of aftermarket options. The carpets appear tidy, but overall, the interior looks lived in.

And that’s not a bad thing at all, especially if it means the car saw regular use. The engine bay is clean, with no signs of years’ worth of fluid leaks or damaged components. The seller doesn’t detail whether the restoration included any significant part replacements under the hood, but there’s enough obviously new parts to convince me that it wasn’t neglected, either. The 2000 may be the Fairlady most enthusiasts want, but a 1600 will still feel plenty light on its feet when pressed. And this platform is no stranger to engine swaps if more power is what you crave. Should this Datsun be properly restored or just used and enjoyed as-is?