My Datsun 100a 1973 for lasty

Discussion in 'Show Us Your Bit On The Side' started by Stan, Jan 31, 2015.

  1. @Lasty
    As requested!

    Some people buy Porsches for their mid-life crisis I buy a Datsun! Its my mini-Mustang honest.

    Low miles rescued from iminent crushing, everything works minimal rust and starts first time. I am seriously thinking about selling now as have zero spare time but my daughter loves it so it will stay a while longer.

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    Came with brand new rear bumper.
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    Sorry for reposting pretty sure I have covered this already?
    There was an orange one on my parents house in the 70's only brand new car and I thought it looed the dogs at the time. It has a certain cute charm! The funniest thing its an A series engine copy and Lucas bullet connectors but they just work!!
     
  2. Fruitcake

    Fruitcake Supporter

    I had one of these in the late 70's. It was my second car, my first being a Hillman Imp bought for a tenner!
     
    Stan likes this.
  3. @Stan , great to see someone keeping the Datsun flag aloft !!
    Brilliant little cars , i had half a dozen or so various Datsuns during the `80s and early `90s - they really did get used and abused . With gokart type handling and a buzzy little engine what`s not to like ??
    NEVER serviced any of them , along with many others i just drove them into the ground , the engines were bullet proof - it was the rot that killed `em . I never paid more than £50 with tax and mot as they were deemed `undesirable` - the lowest of the low , but not being one to turn down virtually free motoring i just seemed to attract them ....
    Look after that one mate , whilst not exactly sought after they`re getting thin on the ground ..

    :hattip:
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2015
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  4. my first car was a datsun 120y ,bought for 110 pounds ,you have taste...:thumbsup:
     
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  5. Nice to see one that hasn't rotted away.:p

    This one is pretty cool.
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  6. One of my mates had one , his mum bought for him as his first car , it was quite good , we others all had fast fords n one had 3ltr cresta maaaan lol
     
    Stan likes this.
  7. Ha! Snap!
    Here's mine - been in the family since new.

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    Oh, and apparently the "A series engine copy" thing is an urban myth... I'm no expert but serious Datsun heads seem to get quite upset about it. :)
     
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  8. Looks ace !! Keep it alive! Its a shame they didn't have the rust proofing we have today because I think the roads would still be littered with them, otherwise good cars mechanics engine made from best quality materials! Yes they rotted but metal was very thin as a long standing thing with Jap cars , weight saving and yes that black plastic interior where your bum would bake in summer! Happy days!
    @lost-en-france friends used to have a yellow 120y in the late 70's - deluxe it had a radio as standard!
    The B series type engine in the bigger Datsuns apparently you can do straight swaps with the BMC version!! Lets be honest the Italians invented the VVti technology but the Japanese made it work reliably and so it goes on today! I wont have anything but Japanese carwise but it has to be made in Japan not in say Nissan Spain like the Pathfinder (my previous car) quality is just not there!
    Anyway its nice to know I am not the only one who knows what a Datsun 100a is!
    @tommygoldy look after it mate really looks superb!@Lasty there are only 11 on the road in the UK last time I looked doubt prices will ever go to E type jags but they are picking up especially with the Retro rides crowd who are too young to remember the 70's prejudice over Japanese cars! Anyway I love this one I hope to get it back on the road its just a way down the priority list unfortunately! Its only taking up garage space so it can wait a little longer.:thumbsup:
     

  9. Fantastic - keep `em alive and enjoy !!
    I get all misty eyed just looking at the interior shots , i havn`t seen an old Datsun for years but they certainly were fun cars - happy days indeed :D

    :hattip:
     
    Stan likes this.
  10. As an aside last one i had (N12 ??) was a newish sunny . I replaced the clutch in less than 5 minutes .
    Great design - the gearbox sat beside the engine , in front of the pessenger in the engine bay .
    All done from above , Four 6mm bolts released the clutch arm and assembly , two x 6mm bolts released a plate on top of the bell housing covering the clutch . Lift out old plate , pop in new one , jiggle to line the splines up and replace covers - BRILLIANT !!

    There was one which (silver Cherry) which ,- as standard on a normal `H` selection box - had REVERSE where 1st gear should be , 1st where 2nd is etc ...
    Only a buzzer to let you know reverse was selected ... :eek:

    Took some getting used to believe me...

    :hattip:
     
    Stan likes this.
  11. My MOT guy has similar happy memories with easy to replace clutches etc. excellent design shame they didn't rust proof them better.
    I feel obliged to do it up , it wants to live. Previous owner had it in a lock up since 1990 and started the engine every other weekto keep it in good condition, hence everything works. All the parts I need are easy to get hold of including brandnew never used front wings which I have , still wrapped in their cardboard packaging
     
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  12. "I feel obliged to do it up , it wants to live. Previous owner had it in a lock up since 1990 and started the engine every other weekto keep it in good condition, hence everything works. All the parts I need are easy to get hold of including brandnew never used front wings which I have , still wrapped in their cardboard packaging ."

    Really ??
    Be rude not to make the effort - especially as you say , there`s on 11 roadworthy examples in the UK . :D
    Next time you get passed by a E-Type jag have a quiet giggle to yourself as you have even rarer in your lock up .... :thumbsup:

    :hattip:
     
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  13. It would probably all work anyway! :)
     
  14. Very interesting thread as Im the aftersales Manager at my local Nissan dealer:thumbsup:
     
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  15. The only think that went pop were the sealed beam headlights and I got a replacement set (new) from local motor factors for £10 the pair! Ironically the same thing happened to our moggy minor - think Sealed beam units dont like to be woken up after long slumber!
    @fugly76 Its a shame Datsun is not coming back into the UK? I know its the budget brand for Nissan now but in its day it was years ahead, but of course not enough rust proofing!
    Granted Datsun and the like copied Transatlantic style albeit in a miniture form, they appear to be finally recognised for their modernity today. If you look on 'howmany left' website and Datsun 100a (this model is the E10) you see a steady decline, only a handful registered on the road!

    Its amazing what crops up especially the low mileage ones like this one? (same as mine but original black vinyl interior)

    http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C578919

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  16. I think quite a few (mine included) were bought by relatively elderly customers, rarely used, garaged and mollycoddled from new. Realistically it's the only way they'd survive as they do rust, and considering what an everyday sight they were in the 70s and 80s they really are rare now. They were very affordable compared to european/british cars (especially given the level of spec) and mine was the first brand new car in the family, bought by my great uncle, then passed on to my grandad, and briefly used by my dad before it was stashed away for most of the nineties and noughties. My uncle had it undersealed at purchase and grandad was very keen on Waxoyl. All owners were justifiably very proud of the car and I remember as a child being very impressed by both its newness and the level of luxury / japanese slickness compared to my dad's old cars. I'll never forget how easily the windows went up and down, they're still super smooth now (especially compared with my bay)!

    Oddly enough the 4 door is now much rarer, probably fewer saved because they are a little less appealing as a weekend car... I'm sure there were just as many imported. Station wagons are even rarer, most probably worked to death and driven into the ground.

    In this age of environmental concern we'd do well to look again at designs like the Cherry. The combination of quality engineering and clever layout and packaging makes for a car which can function as practical family transport but weighs half as much as a modern Ford Focus. There's a fundamental sense of efficiency to the design - it basically stretches the FWD Mini platform in to a car which happily does what an Escort would. Clever little cars.
     
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  17. Completely agree, although todays cars have to be padded to the n'th degree to molly cuddle their drivers, but like the Beetle and Moggy before it - you only had what was needed because it served a purpose rather than being a lifestyle statement everything has to be today? Surprising for a light design they are apparently quite a strong shell (minus rust of course)!
    http://autoMarmitee.com/topic/998-datsun-cherry-crash/
    Lets hope we never find out !
    Mine was Ziebarted from new also. So like any proud owner they invested in looking after them. It still got a 'lifetime garantee sticker from Kwikfit in the 90's' on the door, for the exhaust - wonder if they will honour it today? :rolleyes:
     
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  18. .
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2017
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  19. Good to crash too.
    I broke the front axle of a Leyland Clydesdale using only my mothers four door 100a.
    Stung a bit, but I only spent a month in hospital.
    Could have been worse!
     
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  20. A little heads up to anyone interested - the 100a has spent the past two or three years in the garage, going nowhere, so I think I'm going to list it for sale soon. Probably won't advertise it officially until I've put an MOT on it but anyone interested is welcome to get in touch. I'd be surprised if there's a better one in the country and by VW standards it's not going to be expensive...
     

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