There’s an interesting story behind this 1960 Datsun pickup! The current owner is the son of a former Datsun dealer owner. He drove this actual truck when he was 14, but unfortunately at 16 decided the engine needed improving. After taking the engine apart and getting some new parts, by his own admission he lost interest. The engine parts were stored inside, but the truck itself was left out in the elements, leading to the rust issues that are there today. It’s located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California and is for sale here on eBay. There’s a buy-it-now of $2,500 but bidding starts at $200. The seller is including the engine and new parts that were bought way back when. I wish there were some period graphics from the dealership, but we don’t actually know that it was ever used at the dealership – a question to ask the seller! Are you interested in this little pickup?
Well now. Its cute, and different, and the motor is likely dirt simple, if its still in usable condition. My first car was a 1979 Datsun 210, and there wasn’t much to that one and this one is 20 years older. Some pictures with the hood up and of the remaining engine parts would be great. I don’t know about availability of replacement sheet metal on these but if one wanted to put forth the effort, you aren’t going to see many others like it. Wouldn’t be a bad beater to drive as a work car either, if it isn’t rusted to death.
$2500 seems a little steep for something that is rusted and may not have replacement sheet metal available, motor disassembled and who knows if everything is there. I worked for a detail shop when these foreign cars first arrived in our area and Datsun was the first and let me tell you they were dependable but talk about rust buckets in a few short years. Between the salt from the ocean coming over to America and the Midwest ( Chicago area ) road salt they would rust away before they ever quit running. I myself would pass on this relic.
his other item looks more interesting
1962 Cadillac DeVille
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-DeVille-/221825198135?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33a5cfe837&item=221825198135
Like JW sez, these were terrible rusters, and they were rare to begin with. There’s probably 7 in the US today. IDK, it’s cool, but in it’s original form, it probably went like 54 mph and rattled and bounced. I think the price is justified, just because it’s such an early form, of a pickup that changed the world’s view on pickup trucks.
Had one of these back early 80s. Bought it from the
original owner. It was the 665th one in the U.S.
The original owner said to make sure, when you
buy parts, to specify that it is a japanese model.
I went and had the engine rebuilt and the engine
rebuilder was pulling his hair out trying to make
parts fit. There was actually a difference between
engines for japan and engines for import. He finally
just got a corolla engine to rebuild and gave me
that one.
:-( I’m not sure I would take it if he would ship it to me….
That A-Pillar rust would scare me away.