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I know the Datsun's had solid mechanical workmanship but did have rust issues, I live in SE Washington State and it seems to be pretty rare to find a Datsun that isn't a Z Car or a pickup in our area, the other day I did see a 610 at a grocery store parking lot and a B210 at a Wal-Mart parking lot, I still see a good number of Volare's, Dart's and Tempo's in our area but hardly any Citation's and early Escort's
Here in Wichita Falls there is a lady with a nice looking Pontiac Phoenix. The Citation one. 4dr hatchback. And last year at a garage sale someone had a 80 Citation with V6 than looked ok and ran ok for $450. You would be amazed at how many K cars there are still around here. And most of 'em look good! I mean as far as cosmetics are concerned. I have the last Mavericks left around here. There's only one Mustang II left, and it is hardly ever driven. It's a Cobra. My 79 and a friends 77 T-Birds are all thats left around here. There was a guy that was still using a Datsun B210. Have not seen it in four or five years though. It was clean and non-rusted. In fact, with 14 70's cars, I have a corner on that market. No early Escorts left either. A few 87-89's are still running though. There is a guy here that still drives a 78 Pinto he bought new. Lives around the corner from my folks. It's tan. I remember seeing it when I was in grade shcool.
Last edited by stilldriveem; 03-08-2013 at 01:20 AM..
Reason: More Info
I'll tell you why you don't see my old B210 anymore. The electrical system shut off in the 3rd lane of I-95 in Rye, NY during rush hour. If you know the road, there isn't much room on the median to pull over and get out of the way. Since there was no power to the flashers, I opened the hatch, quickly tied off a bandana for some kind of warning, ran back 100 yards and waved like crazy to get drivers to move over. Totalled within 10 minutes by a tailgater who never stood a chance.
Since that incident, I've always carried flares. And never bought another Datsun/Nissan product.
I got rid of my '77 Datsun pickup because it failed the smog test and the repairs would have been more than the value of the truck. Great truck, never had any mechanical trouble, but California said it must die.
They say after 13 years, any given model year, less than 10% of those cars will be left. I've heard a lot of models from the 1970's and 1980's there are only 1-5 cars left on the road as survivors.
If you look on Bring a Trailer, they have some Datsuns that come up for sale every so often.
I'm sure you'll see the odd one in California or Texas, but here in the Northeast, I haven't seen one for ages.
The "collectible" Datsuns are primarily the 240Z (sometimes includes the 260Z and 280Z) and 510. They hibernate in enthusiasts' garages.
Have a look at Hybridz.org. It's Z-focused, but is probably the best online forum for all things Datsun.
Having moved to the Midwest a bit over a dozen years ago, I was disappointed to see few older Japanese cars (and for that matter, fewer older cars regardless of national origin). Doubtless it's the rust. Another factor is probably cultural. on the coasts, 70s foreign cars enjoy a following. In the Midwest, the preference is for domestic muscle-cars.
There are some people that like the 300ZX cars from 90 - 96. Fun to drive, reliable, and reasonable. I have one. There are Z car clubs across the country...
Back in the 80s, my sister had a spare 260z as a project/extra car. She gave it to me to use after I totalled my car. I drove it until the crossmember that the engine bolts to rusted causing the engine to drop down and rest on the front suspension. I opened the hood and I could see bits of the plastic fan shooting into the air while it was running because the fan was resting on the shroud. It still ran and drove but I gave it up after deciding that it probably wasn't too safe to drive at that point.
I named it "Rotsun." About 15 years later I purchased a new G35 which I named "Son of Rotsun."
Here in Wichita Falls there is a lady with a nice looking Pontiac Phoenix. The Citation one. 4dr hatchback. And last year at a garage sale someone had a 80 Citation with V6 than looked ok and ran ok for $450. You would be amazed at how many K cars there are still around here. And most of 'em look good! I mean as far as cosmetics are concerned. I have the last Mavericks left around here. There's only one Mustang II left, and it is hardly ever driven. It's a Cobra. My 79 and a friends 77 T-Birds are all thats left around here. There was a guy that was still using a Datsun B210. Have not seen it in four or five years though. It was clean and non-rusted. In fact, with 14 70's cars, I have a corner on that market. No early Escorts left either. A few 87-89's are still running though. There is a guy here that still drives a 78 Pinto he bought new. Lives around the corner from my folks. It's tan. I remember seeing it when I was in grade shcool.
I still see a good number of K-cars in our area that are in good shape, especially the later K-Cars but still see a decent number of the early K-cars, I still see a good number of Maverick's/Comet's on the road today, I actually see more Citation bodied Phoenix's than I do with the Nova bodied Phoenix's, I also see a decent number of the late 80's Escorts on the road today but seldom see the earlier 80's, a couple months ago I've seen a '80 Citation at a department store parking lot and I did a double take when I've first seen that car, I do notice the older cars seem more popular along the west coast and the south then elsewhere.
Rust... a high school friend bought a used 240Z and had if for 15 years... all through East Coast Med School, Internship in Tennessee and then back to California... 350,000 miles on the original motor and gear box.
He loved that car and it still ran well... problem was the body was badly rusted and even the body shop said there was nothing they could do for him...
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