The Datsun Sports 1600 roadster, like this 1967 example now listed on eBay, arrived on the scene just as Japan was poised for its monumental post-war recovery. It wasn’t Nissan’s first roadster, but it was its first truly modern sports car—and a fascinating reflection of Japanese society and car culture at the time.
Prior to its arrival, Japanese roads were largely rural. Earlier Nissan roadsters were little more than convertible bodies bolted to truck frames. But Nissan’s engineers were looking to the future, and knew the country was about to undergo an automotive revolution. In the late 1950s, plans took shape for Japan’s nationwide network of expressways. The first section was opened to traffic in 1963. Tokyo became a renowned international city thanks to the 1964 Summer Olympics.
The intercooler is the only hint of a 226-horse modern turbo four under the hood.
It was a glamorous age. Japanese citizens were moving up from motorcycles and micro trucks. A lightweight open-top sports car was the next logical step for a nation quickly discovering the joys of driving.
Many believe the Datsun, called the Fairlady in its home country, was a copy of the MGB. That is incorrect. Nissan debuted the car at the 1961 Tokyo Motor Show, nearly a year before the MG’s debut. Nissan immediately took it racing, and won the the first-ever Japan Grand Prix in 1962.
Over the years it was in production, Nissan constantly made improvements and increased engine size from 1,500 to 1,600 to 2,000 cubic centimeters, each with a similar number change in its model name. However, as the decades passed Nissan developed newer and better engines, and the Datsun roadster proved an amazingly versatile platform for engine swaps. Examples including the 240SX’s KA24, the Silvia’s SR20 turbo, and the R30 Skyline’s FJ20 found homes under their hoods.
The car in the current eBay auction, for example, runs a CA18 turbo, a high-torque mill from the 200SX. The seller claims a power rating of 226 horses, quite a bump from the original 95. With a curb weight of around 2,000 pounds, the experience behind the wheel should be a blast.
A trio of taillights and a slight hint of tail fin were the distinctive styling traits of the Datsun Sports 1600.
The best part about this car, though, is that it retains its classic look. From the outside, no one would expect it has a modern powerplant unless they glance at its massive intercooler peeking out from under the front bumper. It even has the more desirable low, removable windshield—1967 was the last year before the feds mandated a taller, fixed front glass for safety. At the current bid of below $5,000 (at the time of this writing), it’s a screaming deal. Prices for an example like this routinely go beyond the five-digit mark, and they’re only going to rise.
See Vintage and Classic Parts for 1967 Datsun 1600 for sale on eBay.
