2k: What Were They Thinking: 1977 Datsun 810 vs 1977 Plymouth Volare
1977 was an interesting year on many fronts. It celebrated the first time a man made vaccine eradicated a virus (small pox), the incorporation of Apple Computers, the release of Lucas’s blockbuster Star Wars movie and the death of noted comedian Groucho Marx. It was also the year of some of the worst possible cars ever pushed from a factory due to oil embargoes, tightening emissions standards and quickly implemented fixes from the boys in Detroit. Which brings us to today’s dual-feature…you are a senior in high school, it is the night of your prom and you’ve got two cars to chose from. Do you take Dad’s 1977 Plymouth Volare Wagon 4spd manual or Mom’s 1977 Datsun 810 Wagon Auto either of which can be had for about $2k today. Both cars are tips from fueltruck.
Everybody loves wagons…right? It hasn’t always been this way and there was a time that the wagon was the ultimate symbol of the giving up on looking cool. Today, for certain models, the wagon version is even more desireable than the coupe…and these two both qualify.
The Datsun 810 on the left is in very nice condition on the inside and features low miles, but the 125 horsepower L24 engine (borrowed from the out of production 240Z sports car) is mated to an automatic transmission and will be brutally slow. The Plymouth Volare on the other hand has some wear/tear on its sweet 70s styled seats, but that funky looking giant egg beater is attached to a 4-speed manual gearbox that is probably worn to the point that shifting gears feels like stirring egg yolks. But you might get egg on your face if you pick the Volare because that 225 cubic inch slant-6 is rated at 100 horsepower (90 hp if the CA version) and will be only marginally more fun to drive than the 810.
So, the bottom line is you need to pick one of those baby crap brown wagons to take. Instead of picking the one you want, why not focus on what you don’t want. A Plymouth badge. Lets face it, Plymouth hasn’t built a car you’d want to own for about 50 years. The PT Cruiser you say? The car built for the man who does all his shopping in the Hawaiian shirt section at Costco? Or the Prowler, the car designed for his loser unmarried older brother? The Datsun may be fitted with a slushbox, but it is going to win this competition mostly because has glossy paint and the Datsun name is gonna make a comeback soon. Preparing to onslaught of angry Plymouth owners in the comments in…3…2…1… tips@dailyturismo.com
I'll have to just imagine what it would be like to drive the 810, because my mom did have the Aspen, though I didn't drive it to the prom. Maybe the 4-speed would have made it marginally better… And after the Apsen, wait for it… she had a Reliant K 4-door. It was tough being a teenager in my day. I suggested a nice Volvo 240 before the Aspen purchase. But did anyone listen to the long-haired 15 year old? Noooooooo.
Going to the prom? There's only one choice and that is the Plymouth. The only importance is the size of the space behind the driver's seat. On prom night one's focus on driving pleasure changes slightly.
Sloth, I have to respectfully disargee about the Plymouth's front-seat suitability for prom night activities, when one looks at the size if that shifter, and then recalls the physical enormity if the average prom dress in '77.
But, that misses the point; either of these would be a great choice, they're wagons. All the lay-down space any 16 year-old could ask for. The only better deal would be to borrow your pothead older brother's bitchin' Chevy van.
~Fueltruck
You are all grounded. -Dad.
I drove a '71 Buick Estate wagon with a 455 to the prom, but its best feature for that evening was its clamshell tailgate. Laying down, in the back "to look at the stars", our feet towards the front, pillows on the glide-away tailgate, adjusting the height as necessary with the key switch at the right rear corner. Yup, mighta been a longhair driving a station wagon, but we had after-the-prom wired!!
The 810. All day. No question. I'm still suffering from post childhood trauma from all the Chryslers my dad bought before I finally convinced my mom to buy a Toyota (which lasted about five times as long as dad's best Plymouth, Dodge or Chrysler, sedan – sadly, he had a few of each over the years). The baby poop brown is probably not ideal, but at least it's period correct. Besides, brown cars are making a comeback (for reasons I don't really understand).
I'd take the 810. '77 was my senior year, but at that time my ride was a '72 Torino wagon with those tomb stone like front doors. That car had plenty of room though.
The 810 is my clear choice. I almost bought a new 810 4-door around then (far post-prom era for me, however). It was a 4-door 240Z as far as I was concerned. Datsun build quality and reliability were miles above any Plymouth of the late 70s. You'd probably make your Plymouth service appointment to fix everything that was broken while you were signing your car loan payments. As far as the prom night choice is concerned, "running out of gas" with the Datsun would be a choice you could decide to make while "car stopped running" could be a result made for you by Plymouth.
Full disclosure – I drove my mother's '54 Chrysler to my prom. Now there was a real chick magnet.
The winner here is clearly the only one with faux wood grain on the inside AND the outside. Check the hatch of the Datsun, and while you're back there, check out dat rear bumper!
Step 1: find a match for the rear wood grain and install it around the rest of the car, as God intended.
Step 2: install a 5-speed.
Step 3: profit.
Showcasing your ability to drive a manual transmission to your prom date is essential. Also, rowing through the gears is always better than fidgeting with your cummerbund, you nerd.
The 810 is to the 280Z as the Fairmont is to the 5.0. TONS of engine potential. And ugly as sin.
I want one…but I shouldn't.
I own a 79 810 wagon turns heads everywhere I go and get asked what is or told they haven't seen in a very long time. With some wheels and a nice air dam the styling is much more appealing than the Plymouth.
I own a 79 810 wagon turns heads everywhere I go and get asked what is or told they haven't seen in a very long time. With some wheels and a nice air dam the styling is much more appealing than the Plymouth.
Datsun 810 wagon, or Plymouth Volare? That is the question. Both are good looking cars. Which is better built overall? I'd take the Datsun.