Might my 1966 1600 be an 1965?

[Nded]

The production records in the Wiki say they started makling SP311/SPL311 in January 1965. Might my early serial number SPL311-00054 have been built in '65?

[Nissanman]

According to Phill Brooks' "Fair Lady" book, the SP(L)311 1600 Sports (three bearing) production commenced in May 1965 through to February 1967 with the LHD chassis number commencing at SPL311-00001 and ending at SPL311-11000.
Assuming the cars were produced in some sort of ascending chassis number order, then your car is highly likely to have been produced in the latter half of 1965, in my opinion

[spl310]

Yes, probably a 65 production, but it is academic as the 65 - 67 1600s are (with minor details) virtually identical. I am sure that someone will chime in to tell me how wrong that I am.

[Bwk2000]

Might it not also provide some supporting evidence that it’s a ‘65 if his engine block (assuming it’s original) has a production number under 2000 (ie. 00001 - 01999)?

[Nded]

My engine is R-00604.

[Alvin]

I know that Alvin (jonny8) has a 1965 1600. Maybe he can chime in with another data point and provide his engine/frame #'s

[Bwk2000]

My engine is R-00604.

I’d put money on yours being a ‘65 production.

There are a few other changes you can look for to confirm it … and to see the (small) differences between the early model years <see link below>

viewtopic.php?p=242766&hilit=1966+1600+build#p242766

[Nded]

My engine is R-00604.

I’d put money on yours being a ‘65 production.

There are a few other changes you can look for to confirm it … and to see the (small) differences between the early model years <see link below>

viewtopic.php?p=242766&hilit=1966+1600+build#p242766

I have the early "features" of brass nuts and no deadpedal. Does anyone else around here report a number lower than SPL311-00054?

[Bwk2000]

I have the early "features" of brass nuts and no deadpedal. Does anyone else around here report a number lower than SPL311-00054?

A quick search of our registry for SPLs shows VINs 00012 & 00032 listed by contributors. I have also see on a different board #00010 … I’m sure there are more that others here know of.

PS. You should add yours as well.

[Nded]

Thanks, I have already registered her.

[cole455]

Ahem… me again

Any photos of the engine bay (air cleaner, valve cover and oil cap)? The very early cars had a valve cover with no vent hose (air cleaner obviously had no hose either). Oil cap was breathable and the block had a road draft tube on the left rear side

[steve_car]

Ahem… me again

Any photos of the engine bay (air cleaner, valve cover and oil cap)? The very early cars had a valve cover with no vent hose (air cleaner obviously had no hose either). Oil cap was breathable and the block had a road draft tube on the left rear side

I have also seen the road draft tube for the early 1600s. The 65 1500 had a hose to the air cleaner from an extended oil cap outlet. It just never made sense to me why Datsun would go back to the more primitive draft tube.

[cole455]

Isn’t the ID tag stamped “model for year ____” at the top? Whatever that says is what it is. Early 66’s also came with a canister style oil filter (most of which have been modified to accept modern oil filters).

[Nissanman]

The 65 1500 had a hose to the air cleaner from an extended oil cap outlet.

My '65 1500 has the draft tube, it may be a market dependent feature

[cole455]

I am curious… what about the storage location in the trunk for the jack? The very early examples had the jack stowed almost in the left rear quarter panel, while the later location was on the vertical wall (where everyone is most familiar).