Vehicle Description
1968 Datsun 2000 Roadster
"Ask most enthusiasts what the first Japanese sports car of
significance sold in the U.S. was, and the likely response would be
Datsun 240Z. But you can make a compelling case for a series of two
seat Datsuns before the 240Z and its successors. Called Datsun
Sports convertibles, they are better known as Datsun roadsters
though they were never officially sold as such. These were the
first Japanese sports cars that could truly compete with the
popular MGs, Triumphs, and Fiats of the day in terms of price and
performance." Thx Motortrend.com, January 2017
For consignment, a 1968 Datsun 2000 roadster that received a frame
off restoration and has a newer top, windshield, seat foam and
covers, carpet, and the bumpers have been rechromed.
Exterior
This car would look great in any color, but Pagoda Red really
brings it to life. The elongated chrome bezel on the round
headlights gives the face a distinctive look and the narrow grille
between the bumper guards distinguishes it from an MG which has a
wider grille behind the bumperettes. And of course, there's a hood
scoop which is wider and flatter than an Austin Healey. In profile,
the rear wheel openings are less deep and cover a good part of the
rear wheel while the door gaps follow the angle of the rather
upright windshield and a trimline flows the length of the car for
visual interest. The tail of the car is exciting with three
stacked, chrome housed circles for tail and marker lights, almost
like triple afterburners on each side. Reverse lights are suspended
from the wraparound bumper and a single exhaust tip extends boldly
past that bumper. The black canvas top and its plastic windows,
along with the 14-inch steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps are in
great shape. And so is the rest of the exterior, we could not find
obvious exterior flaws.
Interior
Simple black door panels include a map pocket and metal trim piece
on the bottom and are in good condition. The sport vinyl buckets
seats wear a weave pattern on the insert and head restraints up top
and aside from typical compression, present in very nice shape.
Black continues with the simple plastic wheel that fronts a formed
plastic dashboard that houses three main gauges with the tachometer
in the center. Fit is not perfect on these gauges with some overlap
and gapping around the speedometer in particular. The center stack
contains a square analog clock just above a vertically mounted AM
radio next to the choke and a series of knobs. The shifter rises
from the center console, wrapped in black boot emerging from a
black trim plate. Black looped carpet covers the floor and is in
very nice condition protected by floor mats that have absorbed the
usage.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a clean 2.0 liter 4 cylinder powerplant fueled by
2 rebuilt SU carburetors and rated at 135 horsepower. That might
not sound like a big number, but for a car that weighs just a tick
over 2,000 pounds, that's more than enough for spirited runs. And
momentum is propelled by a 5-speed manual transmission sending
power to the rear wheels and 3.70 gears. Rebuilt calipers along
with a new master cylinder and brakes augment the disc in front and
drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Very clean underneath with a dominant X-frame guiding a single
exhaust to the back where it encounters a stock style muffler
before releasing to the atmosphere out back through a tapered
exhaust chrome cone. For suspension, the car is equipped with coil
springs in front and leaf springs in the rear. Our consignor says
new shocks have been added. There are no oil leaks, no sludge build
up, and no surface rust to speak of.
Drive-Ability
This Japanese roadster offers a contrast to the Brits, which we
also love. It has the same small feel of an MG but the engine has a
unique note and provides plenty of pep on the test loop where the
low center of gravity results in great tracking and handling. A
sparse interior means fewer functional components, but you have all
you need and everything on our test worked as intended. While
Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at
the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions
will be working at the time of your purchase.
Show car, weekend toy, fun little grocery getter, the possibilities
are endless in this uncommon little sports car. A total of 5,998
1968 Datsun 2000 "sports" or roadsters were built and it's likely
that less than 1,000 of them were left hand drive. There's also
speculation that not many remain on the roads worldwide today, but
we'll let you join any of the numerous Datsun clubs to toss that
quandary around. In the meantime, now is your chance to own a well
sorted, bright red 2000 that's ready to deliver miles of
smiles.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
