If you squint at this car, can you see a Datsun 310? No? Me neither, but in fact, Nissan launched the N10 Pulsar line in 1978 – a subcompact available as a hatchback, a fastback sedan, and a station wagon – and as many body styles as there were, so were there as many model names, including, in the US, the Datsun 310. The N10 was produced until 1982, when the N12 was introduced. The N12 was sold all over the world, but for the US, it was redesigned into the NX. Its front end was kept angular, and its rear was reformed into a coupe. When the N13 arrived in 1986, another evolution produced the world’s first modular car when the Sportbak, with its interchangeable rear canopy, was introduced. Here on craigslist is this 1988 Pulsar NX SE – the top of the line model – located in Spokane, Washington. The car has 93,000 miles, and the seller is asking $7500. Tony Primo sent us this unusual finding – thanks!
The NX was available in two trim levels, the base XE and the SE. Against a backdrop of a 2400 lb curb weight, the XE came with an anemic 70 hp, fuel-injected, single-cam 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The 1988 SE, though, was equipped with a 130 hp 1.8-liter DOHC, multi-valve four-cylinder. This car is fitted with an automatic overdrive transmission, which means its zero to sixty time was still on the lackadaisical side, at about 10 seconds. This example has a new fuel pump and thermostat, and it rides on fresh Hankook Kinergy all-season radials. That said, the car leaks oil and power steering fluid.
Nissan delivered the same cloth-upholstery/plastic-dash cabin decor that was ubiquitous in the 1980s. The bucket seats look supportive, with minimal deformation of the driver’s bolster. In fact, this entire interior is in decent condition, though I’d clean those carpets to bring it up a notch. This example has removable T-tops.
The rear bumper has suffered a knock, but the paint shines nicely – a credit to the car’s prior owners, as it’s not easy to keep a black car looking this good over the years. The Pulsar has distinctive taillights, and with the right tools, that back hatch can be removed in favor of the sportbak canopy. Nice Pulsar NXs will sell for $10k to $20k, making this one a bit of a bargain despite its warts. Have you ever owned a Pulsar?
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