Based on the vendor of right this moment’s Good Value or No Cube Datsun, all the pieces works on it aside from the clock. That appears acceptable, seeing because the automotive as an entire seems caught in time. Let’s determine if we will find time for it at its asking.
When somebody mentions Saab, most of us image a automotive, perhaps one thing just like the 2001 9-3 convertible all of us thought of yesterday. The factor is, Saab stopped constructing automobiles a decade and a half in the past. Immediately, the corporate solely makes issues like kick-ass jet fighters, stealthy submarines, and different weapons of struggle. Nonetheless, if you say “Saab,” I say, “let’s drive,” and yesterday’s five-speed convertible seemed able to hit the street at its $8,500 asking. That took house a stable 57 p.c Good Value win.
Say what you’ll about Adam Carolla, the nasally-voiced comic, podcaster, and provocateur, however he does have a killer automotive assortment. For the longest time, his focus for that assortment has been to amass the automobiles as soon as campaigned by the late nice actor, racer, and humanitarian Paul Newman. That features a collection of Bob Sharp-built Datsuns from the ’70s and ’80s, and one of the crucial shocking of that clutch is the 1977 200SX that Newman raced in IMSA’s C Manufacturing class, profitable 19 out of twenty-two races in the course of the ’78 season.
Now, I’m not saying that right this moment’s 1977 Datsun 200SX is the idea for a set rivaling Carolla’s, however you by no means know. And it appears pretty much as good a spot to start out as any.
Nissan launched the 200SX to the U.S. market underneath its Datsun model in 1975. The corporate positioned the two-door as a rival to the Toyota Celica, and it adopted that automotive’s blueprint of a semi-sporty however cheap-to-buy-and-run coupe. Nevertheless, in contrast to the Celica, which seemed like a miniature Mustang, the first-generation 200SX featured flamboyant styling with frameless home windows, a pinched C-pillar, and exagerated wrap-around hind lights. The house market automobiles seemed a great bit higher with their body-hugging bumpers, however the American automobiles suffered the ignominy of heavy 5-mph battering rams on every finish.
This mannequin ran via the 1979 mannequin yr, after which it was changed by the second era, a bigger and extra refined automotive. 4 extra generations would observe till Nissan kicked the automotive to the curb simply because it had accomplished with the Datsun nameplate.
This 200SX sports activities simply 37,000 miles and appears prefer it has been fully obivious the years and ensuing fashions because it was constructed. Beneath the hood is a 2.0-liter SOHC L20B 4, making 97 horsepower and paired with that could be a five-speed handbook gearbox. Collectively, they drive a leaf-sprung dwell axle within the again. Brakes are entrance disc/rear drum. All fairly normal stuff for the period.
Additionally of the period is the moss inexperienced cloth inside that the manufacturing facility selected to suit to the automotive. It appears to be like like someone caught and skinned Kermit and his complete household to stitch up so garish an upholstery. The remainder of the cabin, from the door playing cards to the plasticky sprint, are much less flamboyant, however appear simply as nicely preserved. Plus, take a look at all these guages!
That inside alone makes this a worthwhile traditional, however there’s far more. The bodywork, whereas in equipment white, is in wonderful form and appears to want nothing. The automotive carries its comically styled manufacturing facility wheel covers and proudly declares its gearbox selection with a “5SPEED” badge on the butt. Copious quantities of chrome trim abound, which additionally all look to be in stable form.
Mechanically, all the pieces is claimed to work aside from a finicky middle console clock, which does appear to wfunction twice a day. It is a true throwback and would make for an exquisite Automobiles & Caffeine entrant, particularly in locations the place Asian automobiles are much less frequent. The title is clear, and the value is $12,000.
What do you say? Is {that a} truthful deal for a traditional Datsun in what appears to be like to be virtually as-new situation? Or is {that a} value solely someone like Adam Carolla would take into account?
You determine!
Lengthy Island, New York, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Whatsupdohc for the hookup!
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