DailyTurismo

July 12 2021

Cloudy Daze: 1974 Datsun B210

DailyTurismo Classic B210, Datsun, Econobox, Mint, sunny, Turkey 7

I’m gonna get up on my soap box and claim that this next car is too expensive. I’m not saying that someone won’t pay the owner a price close to the asking, but 15 large for a Datsun B210 that doesn’t have a trunk full of gold bullion is nuts. Yes, the car is in good shape, yes it has only 26k miles on the 5-digit odo, but this is a B210 which means it has the miserable 1.3 liter A13 overhead valve 4-banger which was a one-year-only engine, good luck getting parts to rebuild it when it hits 50k miles. And 75 horsepower is great in a ’59 Porsche Speedster or something pre-war, but in 1974 the typical Mustang had like 400 ft-lbs of torque and you’ll have a hard time keeping up with traffic in this pre-recycled tuna can. I’m sorry, I wish I could get behind this, but I’m gonna step off my soap box now and let you guys tell me why life is always sunny in a Sunny. Find this 1974 Datsun B210 offered for $15000 in Oxnard, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

May 13 2021

Low Original Miles: 1984 Nissan Maxima

DailyTurismo Modern Classic Bluebird, Datsun, Japanese, Maxima, Nissan 1

The name Maxima was first used in 1980 by Nissan on a fully decked out trim of their 810 sedan — it was Maxima in its features and luxury. The Maxima name took over the 810 designation after the 1981 model year and today’s example is the last year of the original front-engine rear-drive Maxima G910 generation. I would normally say that this car needs an RB26DETT engine plus 6-speed gearbox, but with only 17k miles on the odometer, this car probably needs to be preserved as stock. Find this 1984 Nissan Maxima offered for $6,700 in Fontana, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

March 23 2021

2+2 = Z: 1976 Datsun 280Z

DailyTurismo Classic 2+2, 280Z, Datsun, Japanese, Nissan, S30 3

Under normal circumstances, I’d say that the 2+2 extended roofline ruins the classic looks of Nissan’s classic S30 generation Z-car…but today is no normal day. This gold/brown 280Z has those little back seats and the extended roof shape and doesn’t look bad at all in the photos…but the most shocking part is that asking price compared to the condition. By the time you read this, it is probably already gone. Find this 1976 Datsun 280Z offered for $8000 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.

March 11 2021

SVO Turbo Swap: 1968 Datsun Roadster

DailyTurismo Classic Datsun, Japanese, Roadster, SVO, Swap, turbo 6

I owned and drove an SVO Mustang a few years ago and it was an interesting car, but too heavy to really enjoy the 4-cylinder turbo under the hood properly. Sure, it made as much horsepower as the V8 version, but it was lacking in torque before the Garrett turbocharger found its breath above 3000 rpm. So it probably would be fun in a classic lightweight 2-seat roadster like this next thing. Find this 1968 Datsun Roadster offered for $17,900 in Springfield, MO via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

February 8 2021

Electric Quasi-Camino: 1980 Datsun 310 Lektrikar II

DailyTurismo Malaise 310, Datsun, El Caminoization, Electric, Lektrikar, Ute 11

Colin Chapman’s motto for car performance was; “simplify and then add diamond plate.” No. Wait. That wasn’t Chapman. That was a young Elon Musk — he was building his first electric car, a canvas backed quasi-camino and he needed a lightweight, space-age material to use for the front valence, rear bumper, bed liner, seat cover, and tail light surround…and he thought “I can’t afford anything light, so I’ll hack the roof off, add 2 tons of lead-acid batteries and use diamond plate wherever I can”. Diamond Plate Motors was a total failure, but he joined the guys at Tesla Motors when they were converting lightweight Lotus Elises to electric and the rest is history. Find this 1980 Datsun 310 offered for $1500 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist.

January 19 2021

Well Priced: 1974 Datsun 260Z 2+2

DailyTurismo Classic 2+2, 240Z, 260Z, Datsun, Japanese 2

Tipper James sent in this next car with the subject; Please be real. I’ve have to agree that this car seems too good to be true…because a 1974 model year Datsun 260Z (that was the only year they were sold in the USA) offered for $10k, even if it is the less desirable 2+2 version with the later 1974.5 big bumpers, is a good deal. I guess it is a good thing for the brand (and maybe car preservation…but that is debatable) that Datsun’s Z is finally getting the price appreciation it didn’t see for decades…but today’s example is priced from a decade ago. Find this 1974 Datsun 260Z 2+2 offered for $10,800 in Brookhaven, NY via craigslist.

December 1 2020

Type 320: 1964 Datsun 1200 Pickup

DailyTurismo Classic 320, Datsun, Pickup, Truck 5

Nissan sold a pickup under the Datsun brand in the USA in 1964 – technically called the 320 Pickup, but many folks call them the 1200 or D1200 because that had a 1200cc engine and 1200 badges on the side. If you look closely you will also find a 60hp badge as well…which was never something to brag about, unless you were trying to drag race toddler on a tricycle, but the 60s were a strange time. Find this 1964 Datsun 1200 Pickup offered for $6,500 in Yucca Valley, CA via craigslist.

October 3 2020

Time Machine Pricing: 1973 Datsun 240Z

DailyTurismo Classic 240Z, Datsun, Japanese, Rust 6

I saw this next car and the $5k asking price and thought to myself; either there is something fishy going on here, or tipper Cory has found a time machine…because this looks like one of the best deals on a 240Z I’ve seen in years. The only asterisk is found towards the end of a comprehensive listing, where the seller admits that the floorpans are shot. Now, floorpans are easy to replace, but if the rust is in the floorpans, it could be elsewhere as well, so, as the proctologist says to the resident, be sure to probe sensitive areas rigorously. Find this 1973 Datsun 240Z offered for $5,000 in Springfield, VT via craigslist.

September 21 2020

Mahogany Bay Stallion: 1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 280SX, Datsun, Japanese, Nissan, turbo 1

This next car comes as a tip from Cosimo who writes: I was scrolling Facebook in my area and came across this listing for a 1983 Datsun 280zx Turbo 2+2 in the marketplace. It’s incorrectly listed as a Nissan 240sx, probably because FB doesn’t have the correct model in their dropdown box. Seller says they’re open to offers. Might make an interesting tip for someone in California. It is a little scruffy for my taste…ehh..who am I kidding, I’ll drive anything with wheels! Find this 1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo offered for $6000 in Monrovia, CA via fakebook wreckingplace.

August 4 2020

Big Hatchimal: 1982 Nissan Sentra Wagon

DailyTurismo Malaise Datsun, Japanese, Nissan, Sentra, Wagon 0

The Sentra name first appeared on a Nissan badged car in 1982 as a replacement for the aging Datsun 210. Nissan decided to ditch their “Datsun” brand for the USA…and while I do appreciate the vintage appeal of a “Datsun” badge on a car, it really didn’t make much sense as a brand management tool in 1982…so the car you see today is a Nissan and a sweet yellow wagon with a manual gearbox. Find this 1982 Nissan Sentra Wagon offered for $3500 in Alameda, CA via craigslist.

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