Well into the mid-80s, Nissan used the Datsun name for vehicles destined for foreign markets. So, to see a Nissan built in 1964 on this side of the globe is a rare treat! As a matter of fact, there are only a few of these Cedrics in all of North America. Reader Merlin B happens to own not just the one you see here, but two more of them! He’s decided it’s time to move this project along and while it’s rough, it sure would be an interesting project to take on! If you’d love to have it, you can contact him via the form below.
What Makes It Special? This is one of only 6 known North American survivors… I actually own 2 more, Nissan USA owns one and the other 2 are in private collections.
Body Condition: The body is rough but complete. It has good glass and will be sold with some repair panels for the metal.
Mechanical Condition: The mechanical systems are complete but untested.
The Cedric was launched in 1960 and was only available in its home market. It sure would be interesting to know this car’s full story and how it ended up on this side of the world. As you look it over, it’s easy to see similarities to a British car of the same era and that’s likely because this model was a replacement for the Nissan Austin, which was being built through a licensing deal with Austin for the A50. You can also see that this one is going to need a full restoration
Merlin hasn’t attempted to start the engine, but it looks to be in decent shape. These 1.9-liter four-cylinder engines are quite robust, so as long as it isn’t seized or seriously damaged, it may run without much work. It’s not a terribly powerful engine, with just 87 horsepower, but it isn’t terrible for a car of this era. Merlin doesn’t state which transmission it has, but it would either be a 4-speed or a Borg Warner automatic transmission.
Hopefully, all the hard to find parts are present and restorable. With so few of these in North America, it might be difficult to find major components for it. There are quite a few used parts on eBay, so you might be able to find things like taillight lenses and trim. Getting a title for it could also be a challenge. Can one of our Canadian readers fill us in about the process of getting a title for it?
Merlin also sent over a couple of photos of his fully restored Cedric. It’s an award-winning car and was used on the TV Series The Man In The High Castle. Getting this project up to this level will definitely take a ton of work, but it’s awesome to see what it could look like after restoration!
- Asking Price: $3,000
- Location: Clearwater, British Columbia, Canada
- Title Status: Missing
List your car here on Barn Finds for only $50!
Quirky little car I’m surprised it’s automatic!!
At first glance up front it kind of reminded me of a 1959 or 60 Rambler Six.
In California, as in a number of US states, there is a process to apply for a “bonded title”. There are requirements for cash value and it is much easier with a bill of sale.
I went through the process with a 1982 Renault Le Car that I acquired in NY without a title. It took me nearly three years because I kept getting different interpretations of the valuation clause. Finally, I spoke with someone a CA DMV in Sacramento and they told me to have the local office forward it to them. I did, they did, it got briefly misplaced (it *is* a bureaucracy), and then I finally got title and plates.
The point is, it is not that difficult. California even has a special “foreign origin” process for cars from Canada.
Hope this helps.
It’s actually a 3 on the tree. its is a CDM/USDM market car and is left hand drive. Both wagons and sedans were imported into Canada from 1963 to 65. Sedans were imported into the eastern USA 63 to early 65. about 250 were sold in the US, unknown numbers in Canada
I have spares of almost every missing bit on this car. Brakes are shared with 63-70 datsun trucks, the engine is the H19, which shares many parts with the H20(mark 2) forklift engine that is still in production. The H19 is a stroked version of the R16 found in many early Datsun roadsters.
I have fully restored one car into an award winner.
I actually drove one of these in high school circa 1974-75 in Fort Worth, Texas.
My dad was an auto mechanic who cruised used car alley repairing autos and came home with it for me. Initially I hated it as most cool people had Firebirds, Camaros and GTOs. I finally realized it was a rather unique if not iconic automobile.
Mine had a standard transmission that was a 4 speed on the column. To get reverse, you pulled the shifter towards the midline of the car while in neutral position and punched in and down. WAY DOWN! Like by your knee. If I could find one I’d restore it.
At the time I didn’t know what a rare car it was.
Cedric The Entertainer.
Wonder if there’s a sports version called Elmer.
In the late 50’s early 60’s many Nissan/Datsun dars were named after themes in Broadway Musicals… the Roadster was a Fair Lady from “My Fair Lady”, the 310, 410, 510 was a Bluebird from the musical “Song of the South” and Cedric was the lead character from the play “Little Lord Faunteroy”. Kawamata, the Nissan president at the time, loved to come to New York and see plays. The names of most cars were dropped outside of Japan where they were seen as odd or too feminine.
A star of the Australian movie “The Big Steal” https://youtu.be/mn7q4rCfGig
There were a few in Australia in the 60s and 70s