Anyone want a Datsun?

[craigb]

Had a lot of interest over on Ozbenz when I mentioned this so thought i would share it here too.

You never know! This is one of these things I have kept putting off and now finally got it onto ebay - will make for more Benz parking! Interesting car though and I love that historical aspect and knowing who bought a car originally and all that, and this is Jo's first car but she just doesn't use it and as nice as it is to drive, well Im just not going to jump in it when others are sitting in the garage. One interesting part for me is that it is very close to the same year as my 280s, similar condition and yet I bet the dato brings more money - tell a Datsun and Benz salesperson back then about retained value and I bet they wouldn't have believed you!

Anyway if you are interested :

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130480545306#ht_500wt_1156

[TJ 450]

Datsuns have quite a following these days, indeed.

Good luck with the sale, it sounds like a good example.

BTW, you can see just how many MB styling cues were adapted at that time by not only the Japanese, but others as well.

Tim

[thysonsacclaim]

I like some of them and almost bought a 240Z that was in very nice shape.

I was never fond of the side view mirrors being on the front fenders on some models (I think the earlier ones?).

[adamb]

That's a handsome car and looks quite practical for driving around London. If only there was somewhere to park it (the 6.9 takes all the space in the car park).

[craigb]

and of course it is more than just styling with the motor looking my M130 with a couple of cylinders chopped off - I dont remember if they bought the design or just stole it but remember hearing something to that effect

[WGB]

"Prince Motors" in the late 50's copied the Ponton motors (4 and 6 cylinder)  and to get around copywright they mirror imaged everything.

Nissan Motors purchased Prince in the 60's when they made a very nice little car called the 2000 - with a 2000cc 6 cylinder mirror image of the 220S Ponton motor - I believe even the gaskets fitted.

Nissan then made the B series motors from this design and the 1600, 1800, 240, 260 and 280 motors all came from this design.

Have a look under the bonnet an an M-B Ponton and the Carby(ies) are on the right of the motor and the motor is canted to the left - the opposite is found in the Datsun Motor.

Bill

[craigb]

An identical story to in the 20's French Berliet mirror imaged the Dodge 4. I think that was around 1924 and actions of a company in trouble i believe. But at the same time as another French company Ballot was building visually beautiful and powerful twin overhead cam bevel drive engines and Amilcar built an 1100cc twin overhead cam all alloy 6 cyl engine with a huge supercharger hanging off the front..... quite a contrast!

Datsun is up to 152 watching!! And even got a call tonight from a guy desperate to buy it who was working at Adelaide motors as an apprentice in 1970 and probably serviced it.

[TJ 450]

Ah yes... I do remember hearing about the engines. Amazing.

Tim

[craigb]

Well it went for $9.5k and forgot to look at the very end but got up to at least 164 watchers. Out of the ones that came and had a look and sounded really serious none got it and all seemed dead set keen on keeping it original, so now just the worry that it doesn't get turned into a 'hotrod'. And using the comparison i mentioned earlier re Benz vs Datsun prices. What would you say to $9.5k for a one owner W108 280s, Manual not an auto like the Dato, no rust like the little bits in the Dato, rebuilt brakes not like the slightly dragging ones in the Dato and just a bit better in condition overall i think? "No way you must be crazy" I expect!! Funny comparison though - wonder what the price diff was new? I know my Alfa 1750GTV was 3 x the price of the new HK Holden Kingswood at about the same time - and wouldn't mind betting that a perfect Kingswood would bring more today than the Alfa too! But thinking about it I think it is all supply and demand stuff - we know many classic car purchases are made because dad had one or the family car........ and how many people had a Dato or a Kingswood vs a Benz or an Alfa....... supply and demand - What do ya reckon on the theory?

[carl888]

Well done on the price Craig, though being an Auction, the price was set by the underbidder!  Fabulous colour combination too.  So nice to see all the original documentation with it.  I'm curious to know what it would have brought if it were manual?  Hope it goes to a good home.

At the time I bought my 280 SE in 2007, a friend bought an XB Falcon in the same condition, except via ebay he paid 3 times the price!  Suppy and demand.  He wanted the car he recalls being taken to beach in as a youngster...

Regards,

Carl.

[craigb]

Yes I think if it were a manual it could have been the turning point for wanting to keep it. I think most guys who have a 'stocker' have also got a modified one sitting next to it in the garage, so it is just the fascination of having a really original one. And a lovely young couple with a 1yo or so baby picked it up. His first car was a 1600 and has another couple of them including his first but always dreamed of having a really original one. Of course the big danger with the autos is that the shells have a bigger trans tunnel that nicely swallows a late model 5 spd, so the shells are popular but don't think ours is headed that way unless I am a really bad judge of character.