This is one of the two cars that helped Datsun / Nissan really show what they could produce. I served an apprentiship on these babies. Major rust issues from the start, but if you open the bonnet & look down at the lay out then you are looking at a Mini inspired creation. Remove exhaust, cables & linkages & if memory serves me its4 bolts out of the subframe, trolly jack in & undo the strutt nuts & whole thing can be out in 20min. A very clicky gear box ..... similar to a Beetle ....... but OHHH THE FUN to drive one of these on worn tires in the wet ...... smiling now 40 yrs later. A brilliant cheap car of its time.
Had one of these in the 80s, as other people say they were prone to rust but a plus they went on the sniff of fuel. Take out the air filter and the sound of them is like an 80s rally car. Brings back old memories !!
Good to see this car again, I remember it at the ACA classic auction a couple of years ago where it was looking pretty sorry for itself. Glad it's in enthusiast hands now.
I had a 120A in 1985. Put 60k miles on it travelling back and forward to Belgium. Paid £1K for it and sold it in 1989 for 1,000 guilders. Happy days. Apart from regular servicing, starter motor, that was it. Some parts had original Japanese markings.
We had one of these in red, rusted badly in only a few years of ownership. Good looking car, that one was probably kept garaged its whole life to survive with only little rust spots. I'd love another one but literally extinct now.
I completely agree i love it but a fair share of people hate the rust and think its bag of shi*t but i disagree! Even a freshly restored mine will have rust spots the first time it sees rain!
I had a 79 120a f2 back in the eighties, I loved that car but lost my job and had to sell it. Looking for one now in any condition to restore if you come across one 😊
Hi Chris, how difficult is getting parts for this ? Things such as a brake servo or a master cylinder for example, planning on getting one, but wanting to know more on parts availability. Thanks.
I had a blue one the rear swinging army collapsed because of rust i paid to have it replaced a week later a got a recall to have them replaced for free I asked Datsun would I be compensated for the one I paid for they said no a few months later the was another recall to have the front sub frame replaced I made Arrangements to have it repaired but I thought it was time I got rid of the car I didn’t not feel safe any longer for family to travel in it any more the garage phoned to say the sub frame was in I told them I no longer owed the car the asked me What are they going to do with the part I said do what you want with it the car I replaced it with was a 1.6 Cortina it was great for room but it like to drink petrol
This is one of the two cars that helped Datsun / Nissan really show what they could produce. I served an apprentiship on these babies. Major rust issues from the start, but if you open the bonnet & look down at the lay out then you are looking at a Mini inspired creation. Remove exhaust, cables & linkages & if memory serves me its4 bolts out of the subframe, trolly jack in & undo the strutt nuts & whole thing can be out in 20min. A very clicky gear box ..... similar to a Beetle ....... but OHHH THE FUN to drive one of these on worn tires in the wet ...... smiling now 40 yrs later. A brilliant cheap car of its time.
Had one of these in the 80s, as other people say they were prone to rust but a plus they went on the sniff of fuel. Take out the air filter and the sound of them is like an 80s rally car.
Brings back old memories !!
@@roberthamilton2334 I've only ever seen my own one 😂 must have all rusted away. Love driving mine
@@chris_purves most likely
The look on the Datsun is so good 👍
Agreed
Good to see this car again, I remember it at the ACA classic auction a couple of years ago where it was looking pretty sorry for itself. Glad it's in enthusiast hands now.
Such a cool little cute Datsun! What a gem!!
I had a 120A in 1985. Put 60k miles on it travelling back and forward to Belgium. Paid £1K for it and sold it in 1989 for 1,000 guilders. Happy days. Apart from regular servicing, starter motor, that was it. Some parts had original Japanese markings.
They are great this one needs a fair bit of tlc odd repairs nearly every time I drive it
We had one of these in red, rusted badly in only a few years of ownership. Good looking car, that one was probably kept garaged its whole life to survive with only little rust spots. I'd love another one but literally extinct now.
Great car!
Would you recommend a cherry?
Yes and no they look great and are simple to work on but at the same time need alot of tlc to keep them going
Yeah I definitely like the rust spots, it kinda just fits. Like if you see an old mini project car without rust, it isn’t a mini.
I completely agree i love it but a fair share of people hate the rust and think its bag of shi*t but i disagree! Even a freshly restored mine will have rust spots the first time it sees rain!
Please talk to me
I had a 79 120a f2 back in the eighties, I loved that car but lost my job and had to sell it. Looking for one now in any condition to restore if you come across one 😊
Really hard to find a non rotten one now for sure
@@chris_purves at this point I'd settle for a rust bucket 😬
Hi Chris, how difficult is getting parts for this ? Things such as a brake servo or a master cylinder for example, planning on getting one, but wanting to know more on parts availability. Thanks.
They share a lot of parts with other Datsun old stock is hard to get but a lot of cheap copy's available
Surprised you didn't flood the carburetor without the choke
I had a blue one the rear swinging army collapsed because of rust i paid to have it replaced a week later a got a recall to have them replaced for free I asked Datsun would I be compensated for the one I paid for they said no a few months later the was another recall to have the front sub frame replaced I made Arrangements to have it repaired but I thought it was time I got rid of the car I didn’t not feel safe any longer for family to travel in it any more the garage phoned to say the sub frame was in I told them I no longer owed the car the asked me What are they going to do with the part I said do what you want with it the car I replaced it with was a 1.6 Cortina it was great for room but it like to drink petrol
Scary stuff didnt realise they did recalls due to rust! Shows how quickly the went!
SATSUM