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Datsun 2000

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Marvin Gruber

Marvin Gruber

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I am going to look at a Datsun 2000 tomorrow. 1969 year car. Is it worth buyng ng to fix up. Price unknown right, may get picture and post to folks to review.
Marv
 
The burgeoning Japanese car company wanted a really good name so they asked the Germans who are known for naming their car companies really well.
The president asked a rep from a German marketing company for help.
They asked when they needed the final product and the president said, "One week."
To which the German replied, "Dat Soon."

They were stuck on the roadster...so they called it Fair Lady until someone said, uh, no.

"Datsun-ice car". Say it out loud.

They were okay. Early datsoons were almost copies of LBC's.
 
not withstanding corny jokes (good one TOC) Japanese cars are appreciating regularly - so, probably not far off the values and trends of LBCs but interesting and unique cars. Keep us posted!
 
Marv -

I had a '69 2000 back around 1980 - great car! The overhead cam is fairly rev happy, and the five speed is a nice addition. And they were very successful in SCCA racing - I think Bob Sharp maybe? Always thought the radio orientation in the middle dash was somewhat unique as well. The only thing I didn't like was the tall windshield introduced the year before; but that sure cured the traffic light visibility issue with the MGBs.

Not sure if they're going to be investment-grade, but I wouldn't be surprised. Japanese sports cars are starting to come into their own. Whatever the case, if the body and frame are sound and you can pick it up for the price of a similar TR, I'd go for it.

Mickey
 
Found a picture of mine:

IMG_20191203_0001.jpg
 

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The orig 1600 roadster was sesigned to go up against the MGB market. The larger engined 2000 was probably to compete against the TR products in the late 60 and early 1970s.
The 2000 could be made into a real screamer with a little tuning. A buddy of mine had one prepped by Bob Sharp and it was something else. Over 140 mpg in a straight line on soon to be opened interstate that we snuck onto.
Bob sharp motors raced both the 1600 and the 2000 very successfully in SCCA before the 240Z was introduced.
 
Joe Schlosser said:
The orig 1600 roadster was sesigned to go up against the MGB market. The larger engined 2000 was probably to compete against the TR products in the late 60 and early 1970s.
The 2000 could be made into a real screamer with a little tuning. A buddy of mine had one prepped by Bob Sharp and it was something else. Over 140 mpg in a straight line on soon to be opened interstate that we snuck onto.
Bob sharp motors raced both the 1600 and the 2000 very successfully in SCCA before the 240Z was introduced.
Click to expand...


And interestingly, the first of the body style of the later models, the SP 310 (1500 cc, I think), which closely resembles the MGB, debuted before the MGB!
 
Joe Schlosser said:
Over 140 mpg in a straight line on soon to be opened interstate that we snuck onto.
Click to expand...
and all that before the oil crisis of OCT73. Crosleys got about 1/3 of that in MPG on their best days. Just think of your RANGE with a 20-gallon tank. Amazing.
 
TOC said:
"Datsun-ice car". Say it out loud.
Click to expand...

Back in 1975-1976 I commuted from my home in San Francisco to work in the East Bay via the Bay Bridge. On numerous occasions I would see a Datsun 240Z with the personalized plates "ICE CAR". Took a few sightings before I got the connection. Got a chuckle when I did.
 
The valve train for the 2000 models was very "mickey mouse" to convert a "standard" engine to an overhead cam engine. Lots of pulleys, gears, chains and a balance shaft to boot. Not for the faint of heart I had one years ago as a project car and the car won !
 
My brother has a 1600 he is going to restore, parts are not real easy as many are unique to the Roadsters. They are getting some love in the collector market, and resto-mods are popular because of the parts issues. I would put market price somewhere north of TR6, but south of big Healey. A low mile being valued proportionately higher due to rarity.
 
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