Datsun Sports
| Datsun Fairlady/Sports | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Nissan |
| Production: | 1959-Apr 1970 circa 15,000 produced |
| Class: | sports car |
| Body Styles: | FR 2-door roadster |
| Predecessor: | Datsun DC-3 |
| Successor: | Datsun 240Z |
| Sports S211 | |
| Production: | 1959-1960 20 produced |
| Engines: | 988 cc C I4 |
| Fairlady/Sports S212 | |
| Production: | 1960-1961 288 produced |
| Engines: | 1.2 L E I4 |
| Fairlady/Sports S213 | |
| Production: | 1961-1962 217 produced |
| Engines: | 1.2 L E-1 I4 |
| Fairlady/Sports 1500 SP310/SPL310 | |
| Production: | Aug 1963-Jan 1965 |
| Engines: | 1.5 L G15 I4 |
| Fairlady/Sports 1600 SP311/SPL311 | |
| Production: | Jan 1965-Apr 1970 |
| Engines: | 1.6 L G16 I4 |
| Related: | Nissan Silvia |
| Fairlady/Sports 2000 SR311/SRL311 | |
| Production: | Mar 1967-Apr 1970 |
| Engines: | 2.0 L H20 I4 |
The Datsun Sports (called Fairlady in the home market), was a series of roadsters produced by Nissan in the 1960s. The series was a predecessor to the Z-car in the Fairlady line, and offered an inexpensive alternative to the European MG and Triumph sports cars. The line began with the 1959 "S211" and continued through 1970 with the "SP311" and "SR311" line.
S211
The first Datsun Sports model was the 1959 S211. It used a 988 cc C-series straight-4 producing 37 hp (28 kW). Only 20 examples were built.
S212
The S212 was introduced in 1960 and built in slightly higher volume with 288 produced through 1961. It had a 1.2 L (1189 cc) E-series straight-4 engine producing 48 hp (36 kW). A 4-speed manual transmission was specified, and an a-arm suspension with torsion bars was used in front. Drum brakes were used all around. This was the first vehicle to bear the "Fairlady" name.
S213
The S213, produced in 1961 and 1962, is very similar to the S212. The main difference is the dual-carburetor engine which pumped out 60 hp (45 kW), a large increase in such a small and light car. 217 examples were built.
SP310
The first Datsun Sports car was the 1963 SP310 "Fairlady 1500" model. It featured a 1.5 L (1497 cc) G15 engine with a single SU carburetor. A 4-speed manual transmission was the only shifting option. It was a well-equipped car with a transistor radio, tonneau cover, map lights, and a clock. The first SP310s also had a unique sideways third seat in the rear. The 1964 car was similar, but offered dual SU carbs.
SP311
Many changes were made for 1965. Though the 1.5 L SP310 continued in production through January, a new 1.6 L G16-powered SP311 joined it. Marketed as the Fairlady 1600, it featured 14 in wheels and minor exterior changes. The engine produced 96 hp (72 kW). The SP311 continued in production through April 1970.
The first Nissan Silvia coupe shared the SP311's platform.
SRL311
The 1967 SR311 was a major update. Produced from March 1967 through 1970, the SR311 used a 2.0 L (1982 cc) H20 engine and offered a 5-speed manual transmission, unusual for a production car. The first-year cars are most-desirable today as there were just 1,000 to 2,000 produced and are unencumbered with the emissions and safety changes introduced in 1968. The new SOHC engine produced 135 hp (101 kW). An optional Competition package included dual Nissan/Solex carburetors and a special camshaft for 150 hp (112 kW).
The Datsun 2000 may have been the best bargain sportscar ever produced. Its sticker price was less than an MGB and much less than anything else comparible, but it won its class, D-Production, in SCCA racing on a consistant basis even after production stopped. A well tuned stock Datsun 2000 was capable of cruising at 120 mph plus while making better than 30 mpg. A few tricks, without modifying any major component, could produce a monster that would run off an leave any stock sportscar in the dust at high speed including the Corvette with 140 mph in 4th gear at 7000 rpm and able to leave rubber shifting into 5th at that speed. It was not uncommon for amateurs driving stock cars to exceed 7800 rpm between shifts to the next gear. The only faster stock sports car of its time was the Shelby Cobra. In attempting to measure rear wheel horsepower at 7800 rpm I could only get to 4000 rpm due to lack of traction on the dyno' and registered over 135 hp which was what it was rated at. A new stock 427 Corvette only measured 125 hp at the rear wheels on the same dyno'.
1968
For 1968, the entire line was updated with a new body featuring a taller integrated windshield with an integrated rear-view mirror, a padded dashboard with non-toggle switches, and lifting door handles. The engines were also fitted with new emmissions controls, and the 1600 was dropped from US importation.
References
- "Production Numbers". Datsun.org. March 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - "1967 Datsun 2000 FAQ". Datsun.org. March 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - "Datsun Fairlady". Early Datsun Homepage. March 28.
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