Roadster, Revisited: 1969 Datsun 1600

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The phenomenon of the recurring listing for the same car with minor tweaks from advertisement to advertisement is one we see a lot of these days. Perhaps the seller feels more information or less information will entice someone to make a call or inquiry; whatever the strategy is, there’s clearly a hope that a shift in one direction or another will trigger a buy. This is the third time we’ve seen this pretty little Datsun 1600 roadster come around, and it’s now listed here on craigslist with minimal information and no price listed, but a request for best offers.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Todd K. for the tip. Adam Clarke last wrote this roadster up in May 2021 when it had the same photos but was listed on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $9,999. The seller now has made the curious note that he welcomes “….best (not highest per se) offer(s),” which is an odd way of asking folks to inquire about the bottom dollar. This Datsun is a charming specimen with a respray in orange and factory hardtop, and it doesn’t look any different from the last time we saw it.

Barn Finds writer Adam C. wrote me to give a heads-up about the prior listings, and he noted that the location has changed from the last time it was listed. Did it change hands, and now the seller is doing the tradition “quick flip” method of re-listing the car with nominal effort put into its presentation? Hard to say for sure, as it could very well be the same seller. The price from the previous listing doesn’t strike me as unrealistic, but I do wonder what is causing this otherwise decent-looking Datsun to keep popping up for sale.

The market for these early Datsun sports cars is not particularly hot, so it doesn’t surprise me to see one sitting for sale. However, for the same car to show up multiple times is a bit odd, so part of me is curious if the in-person inspection isn’t as positive as the car might appear from a distance. Regardless, the seller may be open to an offer that simply sees the car go to a good home rather than being top dollar, but there’s only one way to find out – you have to ask! Good luck to the seller and future owner of this 1600 in hopes of giving it a forever home.

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    Nice car. Do wonder if they put the wrong size gas shocks on it. Never saw one that high off the ground before. The 2000 cc engine was faster than the 1600 but not by much. Fun drivers.

    Like 5
    • CCFisher

      Ride height and windshield height were both increased in 1968 to meet new US safety regulations.

      Like 4
  2. Jon.in.Chico

    If I remember correctly, the 1600 engine had to have frequent valve adjustments, which were corrected when the 2000 came out … that would make it a game changer, for me anyway …

    Like 3
  3. Bub

    I’m already tired of banging my head off the roll bar.

    Like 1
  4. Rob in Nevada

    2 to 3 seconds difference in the quarter mile is huge. Check some of the road tests of the era, notably Road and Track!

    Like 0

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