During the 1960s and 1970s, Japanese manufacturers enjoyed a well-earned reputation for producing affordable and fuel-efficient compact and sub-compact models. This 1978 Datsun B210 GX Hatchback is a perfect example of that approach, and this one is better than average. It is a dry-climate survivor that boasts a string of show awards. The seller has been its custodian for only a short time but feels the time is right for the Datsun to find a new home. Therefore, they have listed it here on Craigslist in Chandler, Arizona. They set their price at $11,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this Japanese classic.
Datsun introduced the B210 in 1973 as a successor to its successful 1200 model. It remained available until 1978, with our feature Hatchback emerging during the final production year. The seller confirms that while it wears most of its original Green Mint Metallic paint, the hood, roof, and hatch received a repaint while in the care of a previous owner. The car presents nicely, with only minor imperfections that don’t detract from its appearance. This view isn’t just mine, with the seller confirming that this little gem has scored its share of show awards. The panels are straight and, as a classic that has spent its day in drier climes, its rust-free status is unsurprising. The trim and glass remain presentable, the Honeycomb hubcaps look classy, and the seller includes a replacement set should these become damaged.
The first thing that struck me when assessing this Datsun’s interior is that items like the dashpad haven’t cracked or split. Plastic trim can be a weak point, but there is nothing to cause concern here. The Brown vinyl upholstered surfaces are excellent, and the only item with a question mark hanging over it is the carpet. It looks slightly faded, but the lack of significant wear means it doesn’t require replacement if the buyer wishes to protect its survivor status. The wheel and factory tach give the B210 a sporting feel, and although the first owner ordered it with air conditioning and an AM/FM stereo, both are currently inoperative.
Datsun upgraded the B210 engine from the A13 to the A14 version of its pushrod four in 1975. As the name suggests, this motor has a capacity of 1.4-liters, generating 78hp and 75 ft/lbs of torque. A four-speed manual transmission was standard fare, although buyers could also select a five-speed or a three-speed automatic. This car’s first owner selected the five-speed, featuring a dogleg shift pattern. This was a common feature of Datsuns during this period, with the company adopting the more common configuration as the decade progressed. Outright performance was never the aim of the exercise with the B210, with fuel economy as the primary focus. This car’s ability to comfortably push well beyond 30mpg helps to explain why the B210 was a popular commuter option. The seller has recently lavished plenty of TLC on this Datsun, with the front end and entire braking system rebuilt. It is in excellent mechanical health, allowing the new owner to fly in and drive this classic home.
I admit a bias towards this 1978 Datsun B210 GX Hatchback, having owned a variety of cars wearing the Datsun badge throughout my life. This car is a gem and has avoided the fate of many that made their final journey to the scrap yard many years ago. The seller’s price is well above the market average, and some may question whether it is justified. That will depend on personal taste, and how passionate they are about owning a Datsun. It is a genuine survivor, and there can’t be many left that present as beautifully. Therefore, I won’t be surprised if it finds a new home.
I guess I gave mine away in 2015.I got it for $1 (it –
was actually given to me,but I gave the owner $1 for it so-
I could honestly tell DMV that I got it for a dollar).
I started going through everything on it,buying lots of-
NOS parts,& rebuilding everything on it,except the short block.
I ended up with about $4500 into it,& sold it for $800,which
included everything.
I don’t think that works in Colorado. The car has to be a reasonable amount of what it’s worth.
What happened to this once great automaker is a real crime, and It’ll soon be on the dust heap of history by the way it’s looking.
What? They still make good cars. What are you even talking about?
If stock price is any indicator, Nissan’s been circling the drain for years. Rumor is that it’s only got months to exist, at least in its current form.
Rumor isn’t fact. Get back to.me when you have some facts
Exactly. So many self-appointed experts here spouting superfluous doomsday prophesies.
The problem is that they aren’t making great cars anymore. The CVT transmissions used in their cars are all failing and its not a cheap repair . A lot of Nissans have ended up in junkyards early because the price to replace them is too high.
Back in the day I use to think these cars were fugly but now kind of cool looking. Go figure?
Nope. Still look ???
This is the type of unique car, that IF it had an automatic transmission in it, there would be about a half dozen comments saying “If this were a manual, I’d be all over it”….
Well folks, Here it is. Now, go and buy it.
If I had a place to put it out of the Northeast weather, I’d be on this in a heartbeat. I’m not a barbarian.
Folks of a certain age will remember when Datsun ads ran for these in the late 70’s, with the AWESOME voice-over + camera tilt
Beautiful looking car. I haven’t seen a Datsun B210 in beautiful original survivor condition. I had a neighbour when I was a boy who had one.
in 1991.. i was without a 2nd car and had a 2 yr old baby and a 1 month old as well. I had sold my extra car because I was going out of town every week to work and the company provided everything I needed for transportation. After that year was up a friend offered me his 76 Datsun B210 coupe.. free. It was given to him as well. I drove that car for 5 years without a single problem. On the 6th anniversary date of ownership.. the timing chain started slipping. I did research on replacement and found that the engine needed to be lifted to replace the components. a time I did not have access to a garage or tools as I had driven it from Tulsa to Louisiana for work. So, I gave it to the church there so they could sell it or repair it. Not sure what happened to the car but it served me well. If I needed a commuter car I would get this.. but I’ll keep driving my El Camino instead.
Poor mans 240Z
Why I don’t go to car shows.
My neighbors had one when I was a kid, in this exact color inside and out. They must’ve liked it because when they replaced it with a 4-door a couple months after having a baby, they got the next-generation Datsun 210 wagon.
I hold fast to the fact, it was this car that turned the tide for Datsun/Nissan. While the 1200 these replaced was also a good car, for some reason, these became incredibly popular. While priced similar to a Chevette( about $3500), the ferrin’ car revolution was on, and didn’t matter what USA produced. I personally hated the wheel covers, Saab Sonnet too, but the pushrod motor was unstoppable. Fact is, after the 3rd winter( cough) these were so rusted, they became unsafe. Truckers used these motors as an early APU( aux. power unit) thousands less than a “Southwind”. Someone in my town has 2, one they drive sparingly,the other has never moved, but looks just like this. They were great cars. And yes, Nissan is indeed in financial trouble, with layoffs and estimated will build 100,000 less cars this year. In think all the companies are having trouble. How much of this modern crap will we tolerate?
These cars were good for what they were , basic transportation . they were like lawn mowers ; you knew it would always start . the problem with these was the same thing with all Asian imports of the time, rust. Anywhere where cars were known to rust out, these imports did it faster . We used to get these in our junkyard when they were 5-6 years old – the cheapo plastic interiors were a mess, major rust on every piece of sheet metal, but they were still running. We used to used cars like this as yard cars.
As soon as saw this post I knew the car was going to be from California or Arizona; its too clean to be anywhere near bad weather !