Nothing compels me to write up a car from the many listings we see at Barn Finds more than a good set of photos. We’re not asking for Ansel Adams here; we just want to see the basics in well-formatted, non-pixelated pictures – the story of your car. The listing for this 1970 Datsun 1600 roadster here on eBay is so expressive of the car’s eager character – I have to give it an A+. It doesn’t hurt that I love Datsun roadsters – both flavors. Details that move me include the hood scoop, the doublet tail lights, and the cool slightly cross-eyed look of the headlamps. Bidding on this example sits at only $10,000, reserve not met, and the seller has perfect feedback. The car can be driven home from Houston, Texas.
Datsun’s 1600 cc four-cylinder, decked with twin SU carburetors, will make 96 hp. This is a later car, so the engine will have five main bearings. Rowing through the four gears up to sixty will take you about twelve seconds. This example has seen a number of repairs, including a new clutch and slave cylinder, brake work both front and back, and a new water pump and thermostat. The radiator has been rebuilt and to reinforce its cooling powers, the car has an electric fan conversion with an auto-on feature at 185 degrees. The shocks are new. These repairs and upgrades are all in the service of making this pretty roadster a reliable driver.
The interior is in good condition, though a new owner might rebuild the driver’s seat – looks like the foam could use renewal. The steering wheel perfectly frames the instruments; these along with the electricals are said to work well. Despite having only 95 hp on tap, the driving experience is nimble, light, and zippy – just like we want our sports cars.
The paint is in excellent driver-quality condition with a good shine – and the engine bay paint matches, like it should! The panels are straight, gaps are great, and from what we can see, the trim is clean and bright. The convertible top is said to be in good condition and the car comes with a tonneau. I can’t find much to complain about here. We can argue about whether a 2000 is more desirable, but whatever your preference, this Datsun should sell in the mid-teens. Have you ever owned a Datsun roadster? Which do you prefer – the 1600 or the 2000?
Nice! Always liked these cars. They were my main competitors in the ’70s on the autocross courses and they were the cars to beat on the SCCA road courses. Either way, always fun to drive. Only drawback is the complete lack of rust prevention on the inside of boxed in panels just like the Z series cars.
I don’t know that I could drive a Datsun 1600 (even though I loved my 948cc Bugeye) as they’re just too slow! I guess my expectations have been ruined by a 1972 fun down the San Bernardino Freeway in a 1969 Datsun 2000 roadster modified with twin Solex carbs, hotter cam and so forth. All I know is that we passed a CHP cruiser at 130 mph at about 1:00AM but the car’s owner looked at me and said “Don’t worry, CHP cars can only do 125 and I’ve had this up to 140 before! So, I punched it and hoped we would at least outrun the radio!
I owned a 1969 2000 roadster, and gave it to my Brother 30 years ago, he finished the restoration I almost had completed. He still has it and I drove it the last time I visited him. Values are finally going up after a very long time
Sold for ten grand yesterday. Sounds fair for a fun car
Not surprising it sold. Sure, the 2000 is preferable, but this was awesome for the price, assuming the bottom matches the top.
Nice car! I had one exactly like it in the early 80’s. I won a lot of trophies in that car running autocross. Great memories!
My sister had one of these while attending school in MO in the 70’s. She had her’s up to 125 mph on the flat roads out there. At least that is what she claimed.
Nice job Michelle.
You’ve got a good eye for detail, a mind for history and a writing style that informs, entertains and is concise.
You also use words like “zippy”. I like that.
If you were in my class, I’d give you an A+.