Welcome back! Today we’re spending a few more imaginary dollars, but I think you’ll agree that it’s worth it. I’ve got two very cool classic Japanese imports to show you. Neither one is perfect, but either one could be the perfect fun car for the right buyer.
I didn’t know what to expect yesterday; I thought maybe the BMW would run away with it despite its weird paint job and soul-sucking automatic. But as it turns out, the vote was nearly a tie. The Infinifi M30 took the win by a mere three votes. Clearly, you all had a tough time deciding between these two.
I would have a tough time, too. The Infinti would be the nicer car to own, true, but it doesn’t really do anything for me. It’s interesting because it’s rare, but otherwise it’s dull. Also, I cut my automotive teeth on old German cars, but I haven’t owned one in about thirty years. I get the itch for another one every so often. That particular BMW is probably not what I would choose, but it appeals to me more.
All right, let’s up the ante a bit. These two are both around seven grand, which is still pretty cheap for a good-running fun car these days. And they’re not the same stuff you see all the time. You’ll also be happy to know that after yesterday’s slushboxes, I took pity on you and chose two manuals. Let’s check them out.
1965 Datsun 1500 Sports – $7,000
Engine/drivetrain: 1.5-liter overhead valve inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: San Rafael, CA
Odometer reading: 29,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, but needs a little brake work
If you’re looking at this car and thinking, “Datsun? Surely not; that’s an MGB if I ever saw one,” you could be forgiven. British sports cars were at the top of their game in the 1960s, and Nissan had a long history with British engineering already. It had been building Austin engines under license since the 1930s. I’m certain that the MGB was a benchmark when designing this car, the second-generation Datsun roadster.
Its 1.5 liter engine is not a direct copy of the BMC-Austin B-series, but it certainly is a similar design, right down to its twin SU-style carburetors. It makes 85 horsepower, plenty for a lightweight little roadster like this, at least back in the 1960s. This car has only 29,000 original miles on it, and the seller says it runs and drives “wonderfully.” It has recently developed a leaky rear brake wheel cylinder, but the seller includes a rebuild kit, so if you’re handy, you can have it sorted out in no time.
Inside, it has one modification, but I’m sure it’s an improvement: the original seats have been replaced by Recaro seats from a Volkswagen GTI. The original seats are included, but it sounds like you’d have to have them redone if you wanted to put them back in. The rest of the interior looks a little sun-beaten, and the dash has some cracks, but it’s all functional. It also includes a tonneau cover, which probably doesn’t fit over the VW seats, and a factory hard top, which might.
It’s all original outside, and obviously has been well cared-for. Old paint that has been waxed dozens of times has a luster to it that you can’t get any other way. Sure, it has some chips and scrapes, but it would be a sin to have it repainted. If it were me, though, I might remove the road-rally decal. If it were on the door, it would be cool, but it looks weird on the front fender.
1979 Mazda RX-7 – $6,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.2-liter two-rotor Wankel rotary, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: San Leandro, CA
Odometer reading: 21,000 miles (might have rolled over)
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Once upon a time, the Wankel rotary engine was going to be the engine of the future. NSU produced a version for its RO-80 sedan, General Motors was developing one, and AMC had plans to power its Pacer with one. But only one company really picked up the idea of a rotary engine and ran with it: Mazda. Everything from luxury coupes to pickup trucks to a passenger bus (yes, really) were powered by Mazda’s magical spinning triangles at one time. But by the late 1970s, Mazda had figured out that the high-revving, low-torque Wankel was really best suited for sports cars, like its new RX-7.
This early RX-7 is powered by a 12A rotary engine, displacing 1146 cubic centimeters. It’s fed by an aftermarket Weber side-draft carburetor, and has a Racing Beat performance exhaust. I’m guessing that its characteristic rotary “braaaaap” noise is a bit louder than stock. It also has been upgraded to disc brakes in the rear, and has a limited-slip rear differential. The seller says it runs and drives well, though the carb “could use a cleaning.” I have heard that these Weber carbs can be a little fussy to tune; there’s a chance it’s just out of adjustment. Then again, it’s on non-op registration, so maybe it just needs a little exercise.
The odometer reads only 21,000 miles, but I have a feeling it has rolled over, looking at the interior. It’s not badly worn, but that driver’s seat has seen more than 21,000 miles. Overall, though, it looks good. I wish we had more than this one photo of the inside, but I have come to expect disappointment from the photos in online ads. They’ll show you everything you don’t care about, and nothing you want to see.
Outside, it’s got shiny paint and a nice set of Panasport wheels with new tires. It looks like there might be a little discoloration in the paint, but it might just be a reflection. You’d have to see it in person to find out.
Cheap cars are a lot of fun, but there is something to be said for spending a little bit more and getting something that’s really nice. Both of these still need a little tinkering, so it’s not like there’s nothing to do, but you’re not starting with a barn find or a basket case. These two, you could show off the first weekend you get them, and feel good about it. Which one suits you better?
I’ll take the Datsun, too bad about the seats.
I have some experience with the 1600 and 2000 Roadsters and know they are built like trucks with separate frames, the old way. Rust was the killer with both of mine, that left me California dreaming, while looking out at the fresh snow.
Somehow not feeling the rotary today—but a lightweight roadster sounds good.
That Datsun is just too unique for me to pass up.
When I was mowing lawns as a teenager, one of my clients had a brand-new SA RX-7 in that very ’70s brown-orange color, and I thought it was the coolest car ever. It’s no contest; we’ll take the Mazda.
RX7 today. It would give me a chance to learn rotary stuff then I could sell it for what I paid
Wait: you think THAT “21k-mile” Mazda has rolled over (ie, 121k miles) but THAT “29k-mile” Datsun has not? Put the pipe down. More likely they both have rolled 100k+ miles IMO… Marin County weather alone couldn’t have been that hard on the Fairlady.
Absolutely nothing wrong with the Datsun, except there are many better choices for an open-top sports car. There is only one SA RX7. RX for the win today.
I had an ’82 RX7, and I’d have another in a heartbeat. I actually came REALLY close to buying another this past winter.
So I’ll take the RX7. They’re just an absolute blast to drive.
Today’s a both day, with my fake Internet money.
I suspect someone knows if the 1.3L rotary from the RX-8 would fit or even be an easy swap. I even wonder if potentially a 2.3 Ecoboost Ford would fit in there. If it stays a rotary, it’s a weekend driver, but if one could drop the Ecoboost in there, it becomes a daily. I always liked the looks of the RX-7, so that’s my choice with a potential engine swap.
Not an easy swap, and the least reliable of the engines.
That little 12A can be uncorked to put 130-160whp to the pavement, and will do it into eternity. They’re such rev-happy little doritos. Plus, do you need more power in a 2000lb car?
I don’t think I have ever said no to the question “do you need more power”
I mean, there’s high powered SA/FB RX7s out there, but they’re all drag cars or burnout machines.
So if you don’t desire to take it anywhere with corners, you’re welcome to it.
Not to mention all your Renesis swap effort gains you is about 20-40whp. Which can be eclipsed if you open up the 12A and port it.
I thought I would vote RX-7 by default, expecting the 1500 to be too small for me. But a quick search seems to indicate that the Datsun is actually fairly roomy for a twee lil’ Japanese roadster. Mazda, take notice!!!
While it wouldn’t be pocket change, this would be a why not both day. But forced to choose, I’ll take the top-down experience.
Mazda And Doritos should totally do a Collab.
Both look like reasonably priced fun toys. I buck the trend here and old British style roadsters do nothing for me. Plus I doubt I’d fit in that Datsun just going by where those seats line up with the windshield.
Doritos were always my favorite chip. Mazda for me! If I were in a different phase of life I would probably be booking flights out to the left coast.
Yeah, glad the RX-7 is on the wrong coast. My marriage is strong, but I really don’t want to test it!
Gotta go with the angry Doritos here. You couldn’t pay me to daily a rotary but as a weekend car I could be talked into it, and this is a really low price for a halfway decent example. The first gen ones have been going up in price recently so if you can find one this cheap take the plunge.
I had a neighbor with one of these that he was fixing up and it seemed like a royal pain in the ass but man, when it was running that soundtrack was something else. It was brown too. Anyway I’ve always really loved the SA/FB RX7. I think the styling is just perfect. They sit at this intersection where they more or less take the best design cues from the 70s and 80s but none of the stuff that’s aged poorly.
Datsun makes me go Damn, son.
My cousin had one, fun little car! Not as fun as the S800 but nearly as good for a fraction of the price!
Going with the RX-7. Had an ‘80 that was so much fun to drive and sounded like nothing else on the road. The upgraded rear brakes, LSD, and Weber carb swap give me a little pause. Not because they’re bad mods, it just makes me wonder what might have been done with the car. A stock RX-7 is a fine little runner and wouldn’t have required any of these in regular driving, so I have to wonder if this one might have some track days in its history. Or it could be just an owner looking to improve on an already solid car. Whichever, it’s not enough to turn me away.
Wish I could swing it for the RX7. Looks like a well kept car to me for the most part.
The sound of that exhaust alone is icing on the cake.
Lots of time in the old Datsun as well.
Back in 1974. Best friend had one. Both were dangerous as hell.
These are fun on the streets, but scary on the interstates. The RX7 can do Interstate travel easily, and is extremely comfortable whilst doing so. Not so much in the Datsun.
Brakes are marginal at best.
Now that my time here is short, would rather be in the RX7 if some Beavis in a truck hits me from behind. Been there, done that, not fun. Still need another 4 surgeries 11 years later btw.
Chances of decrapitation are probably lower in the RX7.
Decrapitation – A lesser chance of a brown alert incident.
Someone contact Rich Hall with this new sniglet.
I’ll take the Datsun, little more unique. And an engine that needs less rebuilds. But them seats got to go ASAP.
Yeah, those seats stick out in an awkward manner. Safer than the originals, but one doesn’t drive that car for safety.
If the Datsun isn’t rusty and crusty underneath, I’ll take it. The price is actually pretty good.
I’ll probably go for the Mazda because it’s in better condition and I won’t need to buy a roof for it (which the Fairlady also needs)
Both are good project candidates, but I’ve always liked that first gen RX-7 design the best of all the RX cars.
High back seats in the Fairlady totally ruins any lust for that one for me, so I guess I’ll just go with a wank … el.
I love both of these, but the Datsun gets my vote. Brakes are pretty easy to fix, and it’s a convertible!
RX7.
The first car I bought (as opposed to rescued) was a Citroen AX GT, three years old and priced at £3995.
Right next to it on the lot was an FB RX7 for the same money. I wanted the RX7, but my stuff wouldn’t fit and I couldn’t really afford the fuel for the AX. It was fifteen years until I finally bought an RX7, albeit an FC, the first of two.
Neither are priced outrageously and both seem like perfect long-term project candidates.