Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
20th September, 2023 10:00
1970 Datsun Fairlady Sports 1600 Roadster
Estimate £14, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: SVR 358H
Chassis No: SPL31127397
MOT: Exempt
Regarded as Japan's first genuine sportscar
Bought by the current vendor while a resident of Canada in 2012
Offered with rare original owner handbook and service book
Current V5C, collection of invoices and workshop manual
Widely regarded as Japan's first genuine sportscar, the second generation Datsun Fairlady (SP310, aka Datsun Sports SPL310 in the USA) was introduced in 1962. Built around a robust, double-dropped, cruciform-braced chassis, it was equipped with dual wishbone independent front suspension, a live rear axle, telescopic shock absorbers and cam and lever steering. Entered for the first Japanese Grand Prix in 1963, suitably tweaked SP310s also won the national championship against Triumph TR4 and Porsche 356 competition. Launched in late 1965, its SP311 successor was powered by a 1595cc, 96bhp four-cylinder R series engine (featuring a five-bearing crankshaft and alloy cylinder head). Boasting Porsche-designed synchromesh for its four-speed manual gearbox and disc front brakes, it was gradually evolved until the arrival of the last-of-the-line 'high screen' variant in 1968.
This left-hand drive US market Fairlady Sports’ (SPL311) history has spanned 3 countries since it left the Japanese factory in 1970. The little Roadster left the Yokohama factory as a Red car, as it is presented today. The Fairlady Sports 1600 was supplied new to a customer in Washington state, USA, and resided there from 1970 until 2007, before ownership in Canadian ownership up to 2014. The vendor was living and working in Canada and purchased the car in British Columbia, Canada in 2012 before exporting to UK shores in 2014, when he himself would return to the UK. The car has been UK-registered since that time.
To date, the mileage displayed on the odometer is c. 56, 924. Over the years the car has benefitted from a new Soft-top in 2017. It was last serviced in June of 2023 and received oil, a filter and plugs. The car has also had a starter motor overhaul. In addition, accompanying the car, there is a small selection of parts, which includes a spare dash cover. This US market left-hand drive Fairlady Sports 1600 is offered with rare original owner’s handbook and service book, a collection of invoices, old MOTs and a workshop manual. The original warranty and service books are present as is the current V5C.
