The classic Datsun 240Z - opens in new window or tab. deserves all the credit for introducing Americans to Japanese sports cars. Introduced in 1969, it was a bona fide hit that created months-long waiting lists at Nissan dealers and wiped out any notion of Japanese cars being shoddy and slow.
It’s still among the most beloved, recognizable, and sought-after Japanese vehicles in the collector market. However, it wasn’t the first of its kind. That honor goes to the Datsun Fairlady roadster, like the one recently for sale on eBay in Encinitas, Calif.
History of the Fairlady
The Fairlady was the 240Z’s direct predecessor. Its Japan-market counterpart, an evolution of the Fairlady roadster, was named the Nissan Fairlady Z. Still, marketers wisely concluded that American customers wouldn’t want to drive a car called the Fairlady, so Nissan replaced the name with a number representing the engine displacement.
Though it was never called the Fairlady in the United States, for ease of reference, enthusiasts collectively refer to the Datsun 1500, 1600, and 2000 as the Fairlady roadster or the 310/311 if going by chassis code.
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At the time of Fairlady’s US debut in 1963, Japan’s manufacturing industry had a somewhat unfair reputation for making cheap goods and copying superior Western products. Thus, Nissan was accused of counterfeiting the more well-known MGB roadster - opens in new window or tab. when the Datsun 1500 launched. In reality, the Fairlady had debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1961, several months before the MGB.
Sporting Success
The 310 Fairlady was Japan’s first truly modern sports car. Prior attempts had been made, but in the aftermath of World War II and the country’s dire economic straits, those were little more than roadster bodies pinned onto farm trucks. The 310/311, on the other hand, had an independent front coil-spring suspension and engines powerful enough to keep up with the competition.
They did more than keep up. A Fairlady 1500 won the hotly contested 1,300- to 2,500-cc class at the 1963 Japan Grand Prix. By 1965, the even more powerful 1600 came out, followed by the 2000 in 1967. These won several SCCA - opens in new window or tab. races against far more established European brands like Triumph - opens in new window or tab., Fiat - opens in new window or tab., and MG - opens in new window or tab., racking up 10 championships in total.
Your Fairlady, Maybe
The example recently for sale is a 1968 Datsun 2000 equipped with an aluminum-head 135-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four paired with a five-speed manual transmission. It’s also the first year of the taller windshield mandated by safety standards. It appears to be a faithfully restored example in classic 665 off-white over red interior.
While not concours-level, the car is in excellent condition for a 55-year-old specimen. It’s said to be a rust-free California car. The seller adds that its powertrain has been overhauled and the body repainted in its original color by the previous owner. As mentioned in the listing, the current owner addressed the suspension, electronics, weatherstripping - opens in new window or tab., and more. The car also has a hard-to-find aftermarket removable hardtop - opens in new window or tab. to supplement the folding fabric convertible top - opens in new window or tab..
For all that work plus the original car, the Buy-It-Now price of $25,000 is a fair ask for this Fairlady.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.