Japanese automakers tiptoed into the small sportscar market in 1959 when Datsun introduced the S211. That tiny 36-horsepower car was the precursor for Japan's breakthrough two-seater: the Datsun Fairlady. A prime 1967 recently sold on eBay.
This Datsun Fairlady SPL311's original owner, a US serviceman, purchased the car in Japan and shipped it to California. He used it as a daily driver before handing it to his son in 1983.
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The son took the Datsun to New York in the late 1980s. He had the car painted and the engine rebuilt. Eventually, his daughter (the original owner's granddaughter) drove the car in the early 1990s but sold it in 2020.
Not a Copy of MGB
The legendary Datsun roadster's nickname was taken from the 1956 musical, My Fair Lady. Nissan marketers thought Japanese buyers would be impressed by the association with the play's splendor.
Meanwhile, back in the US, the automaker used number designations—such as Datsun Sport 1600 and the Z brand—for the American market. Decades later, enthusiasts across the globe refer with great affection to a classic Nissan/Datsun small sports car as Fairlady.
North Carolina's K. Watts and Company, the current owner, says the car is an exceptional find. It's been in one family, has an original numbers-matching drivetrain, and is meticulously documented.
Ben Hsu, of JapaneseNostalgicCar.com (and an eBay contributor), dispelled one of the myths - opens in new window or tab. about the 1600 Fairlady:
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 first-ever Japan Grand Prix in 1962.
From Poor Man's Racer to Legend
The 1967 Datsun Fairlady improved upon previous models by moving to a 2.0L four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. The first 1967 SRL311 models are known as "half year" cars, with fewer than 1,000 produced before new emissions and safety rules forced changes. Later models eliminated dashboard toggle switches—and added padded dashboards, steering wheel centers, flush door handles, and a taller windshield.
Nissan introduced Datsun roadsters in the US as bargain sports cars compared to pricey European competitors. As a result, American club racers scooped them up as affordable alternatives to Austin, MG, Porsche, and Triumph models.
Since then, the Datsun Fairlady morphed into the Nissan Z-Series—which firmly established the company's ability to deliver competitive sports cars with strong performance, sleek lines, and a comfortable cabin.
Few of the Datsun 1600 Fairlady cars made it to US shores. But they played a big role in Japanese-American auto history. Models like this 1967 Datsun 1600 Fairlady roadster are a forerunner to today's stylish, high-performance Japanese sports cars and the cult-like following for Z models.
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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.