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Northern California Barn Find: 1970 Datsun Fairlady

This 1970 Datsun Fairlady 1600 roadster has been slumbering in perhaps one of the best places to find a long-forgotten sports car, northern California. I can’t think of a better environment to leave a car in storage for decades than the areas north of San Francisco and far away from the spray of the Pacific Ocean. This Datsun has supposedly been in a barn for the last 20 years and has a genuine 88,000 miles on the clock. As an unrestored car with reasonable miles, I think it’s safe to call this desirable roadster a survivor. Find it here on eBay where bidding sits at $3,000 with the reserve unmet.

The description notes that the Datsun was parked once a new car was purchased and this one was no longer needed. I started daydreaming immediately at having a lifestyle where I lived in the epic driving roads country of northern California and had a Datsun roadster as my daily; I would love to know what came along to replace this sought-after Japanese sports car. The listing notes that the 1600 comes with the desirable factory hard top and that the installed soft top looks virtually new with no signs of long-term use or damage. The body has been better days with its share of bruises and scrapes, but the patina is pretty killer. The wheels are totally period-correct and the chrome bumpers appear to be in good shape.

The worst part of the Datsun is the interior which looks like it belongs in a car that spent a lot of time with the top down. That actually makes sense if the previous owner drove this car as intended with the roof off, which meant the convertible top didn’t spend much time in the “up” position; of course, this also means the interior was left exposed to the ravages of the California sun. The dash, seats, and carpets will all need to be replaced, but between a decent aftermarket and lots of passionate owners (and plenty of parts cars still out there), the next owner should be able to revive the cockpit.

The engine bay appears complete but it doesn’t sound like the seller has made any attempt to start the Datsun up. The listing does sound like it was written by the previous owner’s heirs or someone who is otherwise not a car enthusiast; we don’t hear much about the engine or chassis components. Still, the pictures are compelling and indicate that this Datsun is not rusty and largely undisturbed, which are critical details for anyone considering taking ownership of a forgotten Fairlady. The seller has installed new rubber, which is a nice change of pace from sellers of barn finds that expect you to load it up with four very dead tires. Bidding is light at the moment, but I suspect we’ll see this Datsun go higher.

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhess Member

    If the chassis has minimum rust this is a great car to save. Lots of power, good handling, but prone to rust. Looks solid and parts are easily available.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar chrlsful

    would that it B the 2000 or SM600 fastback
    8^ 0

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Oleg

    Looks like the engine is missing some parts around the thermostat area…

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Lorne Bragg

    what replaced the 1600/2000 Sport( Fair Lady ) was the 240Z – i had a 1970 1600 & 2000 sports – great cars in summer but not so much in a Alberta winter . .

    Like 0
  5. Avatar johnmloghry

    There were two of these listed on Barn Finds in Weaverville, California some time back. I wonder if this is one of them? Anyway the engine doesn’t run so that could mean a lot of things including but not limited to a complete rebuild. I don’t think I’d pay three grand for it and then shipping fees before even knowing what’s wrong with the engine. Good luck to all concerned.

    God Bless America

    Like 0
  6. Avatar OldCarGuy

    I do not agree with the rubber comment: a few years back, I bought a southern US car that had rotted tires. Thinking I would make everyone’s life a little easier, I had a tire shop install 4 new tires.Since the car was non-op, they had to re & re in the driveway. When the car arrived here, I found the wheel nuts had been installed with an impact gun, using so much impact that all 4 original wheels are ruined, If I ever purchase any other cars with bad rubber, I would only have tubes installed. As it is, I’m out US$600, plus the cost of replacement wheels.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar OldCarGuy

    And, of course, it helps if one has the presence of mind to tell the installers to not tighten the wheel nuts with any kind of impact gun, even if they are using the so-called “torque driver”. They do not work as advertised.

    And I forgot to tell them.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Dennis Bailey

    I loved my ‘66 1600. The windshield frame is chrome and shorter and the dash was flat with the gages. Much more traditional looking and sleeker. I liked that the front is wider stanced than the rear. Gave it a speedboat look.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Richard Bailey

    Having spent its life in California, the body should be in good shape. It probably wouldn’t be very difficult to restore.
    It was conceived as a reverse-enginered MGB, but helped to make the reputation of Datsun/Nissan in the USA.

    Like 0

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