Click on the picture to Z O O M in.
Click on the picture to Z O O M in.
Yes, there were Datsun sports cars before the 240Z in 1969. This, I think, is a 1967 Datsun 2000 a.k.a. “Fairlady”. These cars helped bring the Japanese cars to the U.S. featuring performance and reliability, not just bargin pricing. In fact, there were dealer modifications on the 2000 that gave the car high performance stats that outstripped its competitors like M.G. and Jaguar.
The 2000 with the 135-hp, two-liter, SOHC unit was the one to have. It could surprise a TR6 or a BMW 2002, with 0-60 coming up in about ten seconds. Even more interesting was the factory-authorized, dealer-installed competition kit, consisting of twin, dual-choke side draft Solexes, a finned seven-quart sump, and a hot cam. Good for 150 hp, a 2000 so equipped would do 125 mph. And while the Brits were still making do with finicky Laycock de Normanville overdrive units, the Datsun 2000 had a five-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox with well-spaced ratios designed by Porsche..
© Fred Winograd copyright 2010