I can’t think of a car that is universally-loved, one with such a jaw-dropping design that there isn’t a living human who isn’t nuts over it. The closest thing I can think of is a Series-1 Jaguar E-Type convertible or a Lamborghini Miura. The same goes for a universally-hated design, someone somewhere (usually me) loves every vehicle even if the majority doesn’t. This 1988 Nissan NX SE Sportbak certainly is a love-it or hate-it design. This example can be found on Craigslist, or here on the CL Archive, in Douglasville, Georgia. The seller is asking $3,700. Thanks to Rocco B. for tracking down this Pulsar Sportbak!
I was on the fence a few years ago with the Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak and a couple of decades ago I was more in the hate-it camp, believe it or not! I know, crazy. Now, I’m in the love-it camp. Most of you know by now that I have a passion for unusual vehicles, American, Japanese, Russian, Martian, whatever. It doesn’t get much more unusual than the Pulsar Sportbak. Even the name causes me to shudder a bit… It certainly defines the late-80s/early-90s Japanese market.
And, there it is – Yowsa! I know, love-it or hate-it. It’s so crazy that I love it. And what’s wrong with a vehicle that goes from a coupe to a two-door wagon to a convertible? Not one damn thing, that’s what. I have only owned one convertible so far and this isn’t really a true convertible in that it still has that “basket handle“, but it’s as close to being a drop-top as most of ever will ever experience. For $3,700 it’s hard to go wrong with this car, in my opinion. I don’t see any rust but with a shade under 100,000 miles it would be good to check it out in person.
Even with 22 photos, TWENTY-TWO, there isn’t one engine photo. I was hoping for more out of 2018 but it’s been a bear so far. Sigh.. but let’s regroup and imagine what the engine would/could/should look like.. (insert mental image of Nissan CA18DE 1.8L inline four with 125 hp here). With the rest of the car looking as good as it does I would think that the engine would be just as good. I hope. The interior looks great and it’s great to see a 5-speed in there. The seats look great and they would hold you in for cornering on your way home from the big-box home store with a cargo area load of building supplies. Ok, maybe this isn’t that kind of station wagon, but it’s more than I and millions of other humans would ever need. When was the last time you saw one of these Sportbaks?
Loved these cars when they came out, but I was a young private at the time and the insurance cost put them out of my reach. I would love to have one now, along with the go-go Gadget body components.
I owned an 88 se was a fabulous car iwas hit in this car in North Carolina by an
F 350 this car saved my life it was totally destroyed but I came out the passenger door in scathed only a few scratches
Still available?
When these first where offered i saw a ship docked, unloading hundreds of these. I remember they where offered with a few chooses of hatches. I like them!!!
It would go great with my 83 Pulsar 5-door hatch!
I had a 85 Pulsar. it always stalled when I was driving it on the highway, And the truck lid would always open up.
If you squint, it resembles a Volvo 740 wagon.
Or a Delorean with a camper shell.
redsresto, I had to chuckle because that’s exactly what I thought it was, a Delorean with a camper shell too!
From the side it looks something like a Dodge Rampage with a capper.
Along with the S-Cargo and Figaro, the NX was one of those quirky designs that was a hallmark of 1980s Japanese styling.
I never saw the wagon version, here in NZ, sadly, otherwise I’d have bought one.
These never saw the success that they probably deserved here in Australia. These followed closely on the heels of the Pulsar EXA Turbo, and ET Turbo (pictured). The ET was the better of the two, with the ability to seat four (or five at a pinch), better suspension and brakes than the EXA. Unfortunately both were prone to turbo melt-down if the turbo wasn’t cooled sufficiently after a hard run, and in Australia this sort of rubbed off onto these little cars. It didn’t matter that they weren’t turbocharged. The damage was done. I actually quite like them myself.
Scotty, why are there so many references to ‘jaw-dropping’ designs, car condition, etc? None of you refer to the much-neglected armpit-sniffing, backside scratching, between-your-toes picking when such car descriptions warrant.
Usually, when jaws drop, drool leaks out of the corners of people’s mouths. Truly a spectacular car or other object of desire.
Maybe you guys could put together a j-d list for us. Firebirds I and II, CB 750 K-0, Norton Commando, Harley FX-FXE, Ferrari 250LM, would be a good start.
The Pintos and Vegas referenced in the past don’t seem to have the drool factor.
Would look gorgeous in the drive with a Mitsubishi station!
Dick, from now on I should probably say, for me, they’re jaw-dropping. I hope that by now you realize that I love unusual cars and I let the other more-qualified folks tackle the “normal” ones that you mentioned, the ones that the majority of people like. I steer towards unusual vehicles not away from them.
We don’t all like the same cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc., and that’s ok. If you don’t like a vehicle that is being shown you can feel free to just not comment on it and we’ll hope that the next one catches your eye, the same way that you don’t walk up to every person who you think is “ugly” on the street and tell them, “Hey, you’re ugly!” You may think that but hopefully you don’t say that to them. I see online commenting in the same way, why would anyone say anything in an online comment that they wouldn’t say to a person’s face? Or, maybe they would today, which would be really, really sad and it would just add to the list of things that we as a society need to work on.
A “spectacular car” is clearly much different to me than what it is for you and probably several hundred other readers. That’s not a problem for me, I don’t know why it would be for anyone else. There is enough variety here on Barn Finds for everyone.
With that being said, have you sent in any submissions? If not, that would be a good place to start for seeing more of what you like to see here. Thanks for your comment, it’s always good to have a discussion with readers on what they like to see here. Thanks for being a Barn Finds fan and have a great weekend!
Subaru XT-6 yes, Nissan Pulsar no. A girl friend traded her 82 RX-7 in for one of these, I was not happy with her choice even with the 16 valve motor it was a dog compared to the Mazda but they are unique…
Barn Finds takes submissions? I’m still waiting for that vintage Barn Find manure spreader I sent in,,, :)
Rube, was that the one with the SBC in it?.. (cough)..
That’s what’s bad about texts. The receiver can’t grasp the inflection of the comment. Some think it’s funny ( jaws lying all over the place) others have verrrrrry thin tolerances for such goofery.
Ugly? Everything I own is ugly. 56 Plymouth, 48 ‘Dogge’ rat rod pickup, 55 Dogge sedan, R-80 RT Beemer, 1940 JD-A, 1950 Case SC, 1973(?) IH 860, 1982 KZ 1100 ‘Spectator.’
What really defines jaw dropping; pulling a multi-engine plane out of the mx hangar and seeing no oil leaks. Same for getting stuff out of the garage.
I had a 61 Plymouth fury back in the day am 68 now would love to see them on barn finds thanks morgan
While I don’t care for the car itself, I always thought this was a great idea, being able to remove the back. I’m surprised other car makers didn’t do this.
Soft top and removable hard tops on Jeeps, Scouts, Broncos and Blazers come to mind. This thing is cool. This is one I really wish were closer.
Don’t forget the early model Porsche Targas with the zip-out back window… I know Porsche DOES want us to forget that little engineering oversight!
Great design for a car from the 80’s young people will think it’s a car from the early 2000s
I looked at a pulsar many, many years ago. But the current owner had not kept up the maintenance. The windshield had deep scratches from NOT having wipers… But I always liked the design, and although the one l looked at didn’t have the sportback, it was still available at the time for $350.
Scotty, it’s “Sportbak”. Get it right, okay? :)
You’re 100% right, Rich!
Haha you fixed it – awesome. I was just giving you a hard time as I too love goofy cars like this one. Keep em coming!
Keep ‘em coming Scotty! Like you, I love unique and unusual cars, and the great stories that come with them.
I’ve had a few of these, fun, not much power, and the rear shocks always froze up ruining the ride. I’d prefer an mr2 or rx-7 personally
This was one of those designs I tried hard to like, but just couldn’t. It was certainly better looking than the previous generation of Pulsar though. Now if Honda had just brought over the Accord Aerodeck in ’88!
As far as small Nissans, thought the NX2000 was pretty good looking, not so much this example.
We never got these here in the UK. Not officially anyway!
This makes an Aztec look like Cinderella.
If the car comes with the coupe deck, this is a good deal on a fun car. You scoff at 125hp, but that Yamaha-built engine will scoot! Redlined at 7500rpm, mine wasn’t happy until it hit 4000; man, then it was like it was shot out of a cannon. Torque-steer could be a problem, as the car “doesn’t weigh nuthin’.” I had an ’88 SE (the non-SEs were dogs) in black with a dark charcoal grey interior; the Japanese had solved the AC problem by then, so I stayed cool as a cucumber in my West Georgia (about 15 mi from this Douglasville car).
My first car. Crashed it and it kept running for a year until I finally retired it.
Missed this one when it came out. But one question? Was the ‘camper shell’ removable?
Would make a great “El Nissimo” if the hatch could be cut off!
I am trying to figure out those that are commenting on these things not having power?!?! A friend of mine had one and I had the opportunity to drive it quite often. It was a ripping blast to drive!!! Those engines loved high RPM’s and you could keep it up there all day!!! Then you ad the uniqueness of t-tops, removable hatch, or the “wagon version”!!!!!! I would buy it in heartbeat, if it were to come out of a PPI clean, but my Wife would have a fit!!! Too many cars/toys already! (not that I believe there is such a thing but………….)
My best friend bought this car. I’ll update on the progress. He’s picking it up on this weekend. Awesome car. He’s driving it back from Atlanta to Indianapolis.
4K on the rev-o-meter and he’ll be scootin’ along about 70mph. That engine is real happy to run 4 to 4.5K all day long.
Here’s some new pix of the Pulsar in case anyone is interested. My buddy took it to a cruise in on Friday in Mooresville, Indiana. He said there was a lot of interest in the car, no one seemed to know what it was.
another
Has that pulsar been sold yet!!! I had owned an 87 NX which I received three years after my older sister had bought it new, it was my first car, and like most people my first love!!! And yes I loved it for it quirky ness and unusual looks…
If I get another one it has to be a five speed!!!!
James
Wow memories had a 88 or 89 2 door hatchback. With ttops … gold in color 16 valve (with twin cam) cant remember..Beautiful black interior 5 speed.. but it would only start in warm weather if i pumped gas just right than first crank would start it… but if not I had to crank for 5 min to get it going.. slower car getting to speed but low enough it would take corners perfectly…I had a z28 Camaro with ttops to but everbody loved that little pulsar more… I told wife if I could that’s the car I want again.. kinda miss it.. thanks for the memories 😊
I have a nice 88 nx for sale black-auto-1.6 I will post in homepage.
This car was ahead of it’s time. This is the original Crossover. Goes to show that Japan is always forward thinking.
While kids were pinning Lamborghini Countach posters on their bedroom walls back in the late ’80s… I (~7 years of age) had a magazine page of a Red 1988 Nissan Pulsar Sportbak, showing all the ways it could be transformed, on my wall. Lol. Still want one till this day.
I had 2 of these awesome cars. One from 1988 silver and 1989 gold. Of two, the 88 one was the best and it had a sportbak. I would always get teased saying it was a delorean. I miss the 88 one and would give almost anything to have another….. Good memories…..
I am the original owner of a 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX SE champagne color , 5 speed,75,000 miles, getting ready to put it up for sale, probably one of the nicest ones left in original condition. Hate to sell it because it’s so fun to drive, great on gas, Garaged for many years