In the early 1980s, Nissan still sold its cars in the U.S. with Datsun badging. One of the company’s subcompacts was the Pulsar, sold as the Datsun 310 in the U.S. Available in 1981 with a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine and a 5-speed manual transmission, the upper trim level was the 310 GX, which also describes the seller’s car. With fairly low mileage, it’s said to have been an inhabitant of a Japanese sports car museum for several years. Located in Oak Park, Illinois, this nice survivor is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,750. Our thanks to Barn Finder Bruce M for discovering this tip for us!
Though sold as Nissans on their home turf forever, the Datsun nameplate was replaced for U.S. buyers in 1986. An interesting feature of the 310 GX hatchback was that the side windows in the rear could be opened and closed manually from the driver’s seat. The 1981 models switched from round headlights to rectangular ones, several years behind many of its competitors. These cars were still carbureted, producing just 65 hp, so they were hardly neck-jerkers. No automatic transmission was offered.
We’re told that the seller has his/her own private JDM museum where this Datsun has lived for many years, explaining its 45,000 miles. The little car presents well with no apparent issues with the body or paint, though there is some surface rust on the lower extremities. The car has been started regularly and is said to be a great driver thanks to regular maintenance.
We assume the seller is thinning the herd as no trades will be considered. You’re not likely to see another example of this auto anytime soon, maybe not even at a Japanese car event. It borders on cheap wheels, so is this a car you’d like to have?
Nice one, Russ! A handful of years ago, this one would have been moving north.
Wow! Now this is something you don’t see everyday! And it’s in beautiful shape. This is the kind of find that keeps me coming back to BF.
I agree with you, JDC! I love to see Japanese vehicles here on Barnfinds! 👍🏻🙂
Take it on a logging road. Rally style 🏁
I hope not! There are plenty of beaters for that!!!
My sister had one these back in day.
Car would scoot just fine and shifted smoothly. Plus good mileage it was white with red interior. Fun times in that car. Good luck with to the buyer and seller 😊
Very nice find. Can someone explain the rear window opening controls?
An incredible find for lunch money too! Wish I had the space!
I had forgotten all about these.
I had a lot of fun driving my sister’s ’85 Sentra manual, which was what replaced the 310.
Slow cars driven fast.
I had 1980 GX. The GX had roll down rear windows as seen in the photos. The standard 310, which had a different rear half of the body had cable operated remote pop out rear windows, and came with a four speed transmission. Loved my brown 310GX, but sold it when the family grew.
That’s practically a time capsule! I can almost hear Donnie Iris and Santana on the radio. Beautiful example of an all but forgotten car – when was the last time you saw one?
I’d rather have this than that grim tank of a Benz.
The 310 was replaced by the Pulsar. . . After that dealers couldn’t give a 310 away!!! I worked for Nissan at the time and got stuck with one of these as my company car. Not one of the dealers I called on as a parts rep would take it. I finally got one of the sales reps to find a dealer to buy it! He probably promised three or four of the hottest sellers as bait.
I think I got a Sentra coupe as a replacement. I almost got run over by a semi trying to merge onto the Pomona freeway, it was an automatic with A/C. . .SLOW SLOW SLOW!!!!
The original for sale post was taken down… because I bought it. It was a must add to my odd-ball collection of vintage cars in Virginia. I remember this car on the showroom floor the day I bought a brand new Datsun 210 wagon on October 27, 1981. I remember the date because it was the day my first child was born and I determined I needed a proper family car. This 310 GX is simply a sportier front wheel drive version of that car and is wonderful nostalgia for those of us of a certain generation.
Eric, Congrats! It is always cool to buy something that provides great nostalgic memories.
Did you find out about it through Barn Finds?
I had seen it a few days earlier on Facebook but Barn Finds reminded me and spurred me to action.