It wasn’t that long ago we featured another project-grade Datsun Fairlady Roadster up for sale, but this time we have one with the desirable 2.0L engine that gives the primitive two-seater a serious performance boost. Overlooked by the classic motoring community (for some reason) in favor of British roadsters with little in the way of sporting pedigree, the Datsun Fairlady is still a bit of a bargain, even as a completely restored car – so does it make sense to snag one as a project? This is the second go-round for this Datsun, listed here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $4,750.
The looks are still so killer with these; I’d buy one on appearances alone. The Datsun’s hunkered-down stance makes it look like it’s ready to race, and given its history, that’s an appropriate description. The Datsun was favored by none other than Pete Brock, but it wasn’t his first choice. At the time, Brock’s racing team planned to use Toyota’s impressive crop of sports cars from the 1960s as the basis for its competition aspirations, but Carroll Shelby swooped in and nabbed the contract for himself. Like seemingly all of the great rivalries on the track in the 60s and 70s, Brock’s team was such a headache on the track for Shelby’s Toyotas that it went home with its tail between its legs, win-less on the circuit.
But you won’t have to worry about cat-and-mouse games on the road if you bring this roadster back to life, other than ducking and weaving around lumbering SUVs. While the 240Z and 510 get all the glory as the icons of Datsun/Nissan’s sporting heritage, the Fairlady is overlooked – and there’s no valid reason as to why. In 2000 trim, drivers have access to a surprisingly spunky 150 horsepower, which was outstanding for the era. The classic two-seater arrangement, with a huge bus-like steering wheel (quickly fixed with a period-correct Prototipo) and simple gauge cluster, is a thing of beauty, especially compared to today’s overloaded cockpits.
The seller confirms the Datsun is still running, but it sounds like drives are limited to going back and forth on the road in front of his house. Undoubtedly, it will require some fine tuning, but at least we know it’s operable. The seller notes that the engine “…has had some work done,” and that the brakes have been gone through. This story has some gaps, for sure, so I doubt he’s the one that got the project to this point and more likely inherited it or snagged it out of a neighbor’s house when the elderly owner passed away. Clearly, it’s had some bodywork done, but if it’s not rusty underneath, this Fairlady with the powerful 2.0L motor is likely worth the asking price shown here.
The first time I was more than a little scared was riding with a NYS trooper in his Datsun 1600. Bill could drive; the roads were curvy, and the Datsun was willing!
Nobody but nobody ever called them Fairlady. My friend had one and they are faaaaaast with great handling considering the rear suspension. Great cars for Autocrossing. I rode crammed in the back all the way from Maine to New Jersey probably explaining why i have arthritis problems. This car is a bargain for that price. Looks like an easy affordable fix.
In my dim recollection, I thought that the windshield in a 2.0 was lower than the windshield in the 1.6. This windshield appears tall. But. I will check that out online.
Just WHAT Toyotas was Shelby fielding in competition with Brock’s BRE Datsuns?? I was in high school then and a friend’s dad drove a Datsun 2000 for Brock. A Toyota back then was nothing exciting usually a Corona with 2-spd auto or a gutless 1200cc Corolla, none of which were successfully raced!
Shelby was running the Toyota 2000GT in SCCA “C” Production class as a factory backed effort in 1968. That was Toyota’s halo car at the time and the Toyota sponsorship was a one year deal. Those years were a hotbed for production car racing with factory backed efforts from Triumph (Group 44 running the TR250) Toyota (Shelby), Porsche (911) and Datsun with Brock’s team running the 2000 on Mikuni carbs. The 2000 wasn’t that competitive in C. The 911’s pretty much dominated that class. While the 2000’s ran in both C and D production, they were much more competitive in D with Stromberg carbs as in that class they ran against the TR4 and MGB and were pretty much an overdog in D. Once the 240Z came around Brock ran those in C and dominated the class.
I’m just waiting for the one down the street to be available. I has been promised to me and I continue to do favors for the old (older than me) lady who bought it new. I salivate eveytime I drive past the barn. (Patrolled by an army of cats!)
This looks like a 1600; not 2000. Even the paperwork VIN code states it’s an SPL (1600) and not the SRL (2000). Another picture shows a 2000 transmission in the trunk which is the desirable 5 speed and even the engine bay layout is the same as my 1970 Datsun 1600. Nope, not a 2000 with 4 speed…