1969 Datsun SRL311
Parts included
Owned for the past 50 years
Datsun started the sports car line with the 1500 and 1600. But it was the SRL2000 that made their name. This hot version finally came halfway through 1967. Datsun engineers stroked the 1600's engine to 2.0 liters and added a better-breathing, more efficient single-overhead-cam cylinder head with dual SU-type carbs. Designated SRL-311, the Datsun 2000 leapt ahead of most European rivals with the high-revving 135 horsepower engine and a price that undercut the 104-horsepower, four-speed Triumph TR4. American pro racer Bob Bondurant bought several to use as student cars at his competition driving school. Paul Newman started racing on one. Robustly built yet simple to work on, the car is rare compared with period MGs or Triumphs, with potentially better appreciation over time. It is a real stoplight sleeper. It would eat Porsche 912’s and would have TR4’s for lunch.
The 2000 enjoys a loyal following with active owners' clubs and regular events. Aftermarket support is strong for the Datsun, with several U.S.-based specialists carrying most mechanical, electrical, brake, and suspension parts, although with the shrinking number of 2000’s parts prices are going up. There weren’t that many made (My VIN is SRL311-07324). Today, the 2000 Roadsters are becoming attractive for collectors due to their rarity. The 2000 U20 engines are even rarer. Some sellers are resorting to putting 1600 engines into 2000 bodies and passing them off as 2000’s. Market prices range from the $50’s for concours, the 30’s for excellent, and the teens for good.
I had always had sports cars. My first was an MG-TD. Next came an Austin Healey 4-banger. Finally a Triumph Spitfire. The Spitfire handled sweetly but it was woefully underpowered. When the Datsun 2000 came onto the market I was ready.
I bought the car in 1969 and loved it. Datsun sales were brisk but then they came out with the 240-Z which was such a hit that they discontinued the 2000 so they could use its manufacturing capacity for more Z’s. Ironically, the 2000 could have the Z for lunch both in speed and cornering. About that time I went through a divorce so the 2000 became my sole means of transportation as well as one of my best friends. This was in Georgia in the late 60’s and early 70’s when rural Georgia was full of winding roads and scant patrol cars. I found that the car could indeed top out at 125, but curiously in 4th and not in 5th.
It was limited in cornering because it tended to lift the inside rear wheel. At this time, a racer named Bob Sharp was competing in Datsuns (he later became Paul Newman’s mentor) and put out a catalog of competition parts including a heavier front anti-roll bar. I put it in and that cured the rear wheel problem.
In the early 70’s I moved to California and later purchased a B-210 for my everyday car and the 2000 went back to being a backup car. Then I remarried and moved to Reno and the 2000 became a garage queen. I am now too old to play mechanic, my wife won’t let me crawl under it and I want to sell it to someone who will take care of it and enjoy it.
Now as to the configuration and condition. To meet the 1969 smog requirements Datsun had to install an air pump and injectors. This made the throttle response sluggish. As soon as it was legal, these came off and now reside in my parts box. The car initially had five-speeds. Fifth gear was an overdrive and the gear was a press fit. On all, the gear eventually came loose and you would up with fifth gear neutral. The only fix was to take apart the gearbox, take it to a machine shop and get the gear fitted with a pin. Very few owners, including me, did this. So the car is 4-speeds forward and two neutral. Initially the car came with two carburetor options, Hitachi side-draft which are clones of the British SU’s or Mikunis (sp) which are clones of Webers. In 69 they had to go with the former since the Webers would not meet smog requirements. Over the years many parts were replaced. For the first 25 years the car was well-used. For the last 25 less so. I do not know the mileage since the car is on its third speedometer. The engine was rebuilt twice and the clutch replaced three times. The brake master recently went out and was replaced by one for a Z ($75 vs. $600) which is a near clone. The tires have plenty of rubber but are very old so shouldn’t be pushed over 70’s. The top unfortunately is in tatters. I drive it regularly around the area at least long enough to get the oil hot. We have some vacant cul de sacs so I can do some fun 2d gear Ueys. It does leak some oil but not enough to require topping up between changes.
I have 4 boxes of “stuff”. Some are unused new parts, some are used parts, and some are broken parts that might be renewed as spares some day. I also have the tools—timing light, dwell meter, all the SU carb tuning stuff such as flow meters—needed for tune-ups. All this goes with the car.
It would be great for casual driving, as a hobby car, or a prime candidate for full restoration.
I would like payment through escrow.com
