Any discussion of classic Datsuns immediately conjures images of the 1970 240Z. That’s understandable, because the Z is still the all-time best-selling global sports car. However, the wickedly fun Fairlady Roadster built by Datsun—actually, its parent company Nissan—deserves a lot more attention. In fact, Forza Motorsport, the premier racing video game, helped bolster the car’s reputation last week when it included its newly released car pack—created in partnership with eBay Motors.
What makes the Datsun 2000 stand out, among other things, is its affordability. There’s even a gorgeous 1970 example now listed on eBay—with a current bid just above $10,000.
The Datsun Fairlady Roadster was Nissan’s first modern car. As most JDM-fluent enthusiasts know, the 240Z was called the Fairlady Z in its home market, meaning the Roadster was actually the Z’s predecessor. When it came to the United States, it was simply called the Datsun Sports 1500, 1600, and 2000, depending on its engine displacement.
Launched in 1963, the Datsun Fairlady 1500 came at time of transition for Nissan, bridging a technology gap for the company. Most early-1960s Nissans were crude and Spartan, barely a step above farm equipment—while the 240Z was as modern as any competitor. Nissan knew it had something special with the Fairlady, and immediately sent it into battle, winning its class at the first Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in 1963.
The styling was sleek and low, with just a hint of tailfin. You can also catch a glimpse of the 240Z’s trademark sugar scoop headlight bezels too. Because it came to market a year after the iconic MGB, it is often thought to be a faster, more reliable copy, but that’s a common misconception. In fact, the Datsun Roadster debuted at the New York Auto Show in January 1962, several months before the first public showing of the MGB. Any styling similarities can be chalked up to styling trends of the era.
Through its eight years of production, Nissan constantly improved the breed. From a single-carb 1500 4-speed, making 77 horsepower, to the ultimate expression of its form: a twin dual-throat 2000 5-speed churning out a healthy 150 horses. That’s a lot of power for 1967, especially when you consider that the Datsun Sports 2000 weighed merely 2,000 pounds.
With a fantastic power-to-weight ratio, the Datsun 2000 is a secret weapon in vintage racing circles. This example was displayed at the Datsun Heritage Museum, in Murrieta, Calif., which unfortunately closed in 2011.
1969 Datsun 2000, as displayed for the Forza Motorsport pack.
The Datsun Roadsters won numerous motorsports titles throughout its life, not only in Japan, but abroad as well. In the US, the liveries of Pete Brock’s BRE and Bob Sharp’s BSR are most recognized for their 240Z and 510 racers, but both of these legends won numerous championships with the Datsun 2000 first.
Today, the most desirable of the Datsun roadsters are the low-windshield 1967 (and a half) Datsun Sports 2000, introduced mid-way through the model year. For 1968, the windshield was raised two inches to conform to US safety standards, somewhat compromising the profile. Today, a clean example can fetch $25,000 to $30,000, even more if it has racing provenance. Let’s see where bidding on this 1970 Datsun 2000 Fairlady ends up.
