A little faded from the California sun, this 1977 Datsun B-210 2-door sedan is wearing, I believe, Light Gold Poly “gray” paint. The front fender trim appears to be missing, but some models show trim there, and some don’t show trim there. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Pasadena, California, and they’re asking $6,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
It’s hard to tell what’s going on with the paint, and the seller doesn’t mention the body condition at all in their otherwise good description. It looks solid from what I can see, and I like the faded paint. I’m guessing with a little work, it would shine up a more than it does now. The Nissan Sunny was known as the B-210 here in North America, and this two-door sedan with a trunk body style seems to be less popular than the B-210 hatchback, which most of us have seen.
There was also a four-door sedan and a fun little “Honey Bee” version of this body style. This 1977 Datsun brochure shows the B-210s on pages 3 and 4. The third-generation Nissan Sunny, or Datsun B-210 here, was made from 1973 through 1977. I’m guessing the next owner can find the rear bumper end pieces, which appear to be broken off on both sides.
I wish we had a photo of the trunk compartment and the back seat, not to mention underside photos, but the seller included good photos of most of the other parts and pieces. The front interior compartment looks nicer than I expected, other than the front seats needing some help. The all-important 4-speed manual shifter is shown above, and with just 70 horsepower, you’ll want a manual in this car. The seller says they’ve used it as a daily driver for the last five+ years and now have a job that requires more freeway travel, and for any of you who have been on a freeway in the last few years, yeah…
The seller included two engine photos! It could use a bath, but it’s nice to have even one engine photo on a craigslist ad. This is Nissan’s 1.4-liter OHV inline-four with 70 horsepower and 75 lb-ft of torque. Backed by the 4-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels (I know!), they say it runs incredibly well and is reliable. They’ve done a lot of maintenance on it over the last five years of ownership, including a new clutch, new brake master cylinder, new clutch kit, and flywheel resurfacing, new rear brake shoes and cylinders, a new battery, new alternator, and new tires. Wow. It sounds like it really was a daily driver and was well-maintained. Now about that asking price… Any thoughts on this daily driver B-210?
There’s not too many old Datsuns like this running around these days. I have a lot of respect for someone using this as a daily driver. I remember a teacher of mine had a blue one if these when I was in Elementary School. Hopefully it goes to a good new home.
Two comments- Who would describe this color as gold, much less ‘light gold’? And these came with a carburetor, that in my experience with Japanese carburetors, are they are, on the one hand, one of the most efficient and highest quality ever produced, but as far as rebuilding, the most complicated and hardest to access parts for. No wonder many owners switched to Weber conversions.
What’s your guess, Chris? Did you click on the color chart in the first paragraph? There isn’t a gray. The middle row is Datsun, pick one out for us.
I know I’m getting old but not colorblind yet, this is a silver or gray. Definitely not gold!
You guys win; I give up. I tried to throw it out there to see if anyone could find this paint color, but it didn’t work. Thanks for nothin’, SG.
Scotty- No, I had not looked at the color chart, and now see the ‘light gold’ color chip you referenced as a mistake in the brochure, and not your personal perception.
I bought one of these from my brother Gary back in the early 90’s. I was wanting a more fuel efficient car as I was driving about a 100 miles a day for work. After a couple of days of driving it I gave it back to him as it was killing my back driving that thing. I decided having the ability to walk was worth the extra gas my 72 Charger was burning
It’s nice to see one of these again. My high-school driver’s education car was a green 4-door, also with a stick. At 7,000 feet elevation, an extra measure of patience was required to get up to speed.
Chris summed up the carburetor quite accurately.
I imagine most of them rusted away around the solid mechanical bits.
The Honey Bee was the cheapest version and cheap it was. I wanted one so badly back then. They shifted like butter and got incredible mpg.
I remember seeing quite a few Honey Bee models driving around back in the day.
The “real world” fuel economy achieved by these things was extraordinary. I know they were light and not powerful but they were verified as consistently using around 20% less gas than contemporary cars of much the same spec. I’ve never seen a CD for them but the aerodynamics must have been slippery.
Ah yes, the B210 changed everything. The 70s were literally a gold mine waiting for fuel efficient cars, and since US was stumbling with poor renditions, the door was wide open for the Asians. Trouble was, Americans had ill feelings about the then offerings, Subaru 360, Honda 600, and Datsun with it’s 1000, was of no particular threat. Even the 1200, which an old GF had, was no big deal. Then the Civic, the GL Subies, and these, changed everything. Certainly nothing was going to replace out beloved LTDs, but these showed the world, Datsun had its foot in the door, and never looked back.
Naturally, the down sides were, it sorely needed a 5 speed, awful generic, uncomfortable seating, mileage was always overstated, but 30 mpg, in a real car, was unheard of, and why most bought one. The name change threw some for a loop, “what’s it called now?” but I read, Datsun sold its 2 millionth car in 1977 in the US. While production numbers aren’t available, it’s a good bet most were the B210. The ’77 B210 sedan was $3447 new( $300 more for the hatchback) compared to a Pinto at about the same price, it wasn’t exactly record setting, but just about everybody that bought Datsuns, ended up with Nissans for life.
This is a great find, they were also terrible rustlers, and some of these motors became early APUs on semis. I know some may not think the 4 vs. 5 speed is any big deal, today it is. When this car came out, 55 mph was still strictly enforced, and today, where 75+ is the norm, the poor Sunny won’t feel so “sunny”. What’s it like? If you have a 5 speed vehicle, try driving around in 4th for a while,,,Seeeee?
Known as the Datsun 120Y here. A quote from a styling analyis “I feel sorry for the torture inflicted on the sheet metal”
A mate’s ex had one. Automatic hatchback. A slug.
Highschool buddy had a gunmetal blue hatchback with a 5 speed. He had a set of Cragar wire basket wheels on it and it looked pretty good–(anyone remember those?) All the kids would gather around the huge parking lot at shopping center on the edge of town and cut donuts when it snowed. Tim was frustrated that his “Dotty” couldn’t pull one off, so we created the reverse donut which was pretty darn fun and dizzying. Takeoff in reverse, nail it and cut the wheel! Round and round you go…backwards!
Gotta say this car did not bring back great memories for me. And Scotty, as a former owner of a ‘77 B-210 hatchback, I believe this is the Bronze Poly aging out. My first new car at 23 after several old full size Fords and Chevys, I was psyched for the newness and fuel economy. A friend of a friend had one and I thought it made good sense. Until I owned it. They were in such demand (in MA anyway) that none were available for test drive so I ordered one based on only having ridden in friend’s car. Pulled into traffic in my new ride and stopped behind a Town Car at a light and couldn’t see over its trunk. That was my first sign of buyer’s remorse. The next (and final) was having to downshift to 2nd going up a hill with a weekend’s stash of luggage. And pedal to the floor to maintain maybe 30 mph. Ugh, not for me. Bought a new ‘78 Grand Prix less than a year later. On the upside, I paid $3800 for it and sold it for $3600 with 10k miles. And the idea of $6500 for this one is mind boggling to me.
Thanks for listening. 😁
My friend bought one new with an A/T. I couldn’t believe how slow it was. You could put it in drive and have time to run into the house for a cup of joe and get back before it started moving.
Old enough to remember when these littered the landscape… I remember the entry level “Honey Bee”… as stripped down as one could get… no carpet (just rubber mats), no arm rests, no cigarette lighter, dog dish wheel covers, almost no bright work of any kind… Older friends had them when I was in high school… lots on the college campus. If it wasn’t the cheapest car available in the mid ’70s, it must have been close. Been quite some time since I’ve seen one in the flesh. We could use a car like this today.
I wonder if Red Forman test drove one of these before going across the street and buying a Corolla.
I got my 1st speeding ticket in one of these, believe it or not. 55 in a 35. Downhill!
In Greece they developed a reputation for rust, then the Datsun name was dropped in favor of Nissan. IMHO in this case underside photos are a must.
I have a ’77 B210 coupe with the 5 speed. Its in my profile pic. :) 149,000 miles, no rust, everything works including the A/C. Runs like a sewing machine. Love it!