Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

The high class Gooding & Company auction at Amelia Island on March 7
has SPL31117895 up for auction.
In the registry as belonging to Ed Koch of New Jersey.
Claimed 2013 restoration. Looks NICE. Estimated price $35-45K. No reserve.
If a restored 68 1600 goes for that kind of $, Roadster values are going UP.

http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1968-d ... -roadster/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ted.

Here are Hagerty's comments on the Roadster.

1968 Datsun 1600 Roadster
Lot 6
Presale estimate: $35,000 - $45,000
Hagerty Price Guide: $6,800 - $30,100
Datsun roadsters are interesting in that they are arguably superior to an MGB in many respects, but collectors have only woken up to this fact in the past five years. Ratty ones are all most people know, but this example is stellar and has a strong presale estimate to prove it. The 1967 mid-model year is typically the one buyers yearn for, but condition trumps all here. Interestingly, Gooding is also offering a stellar MGB with an even higher estimate, so this is a great chance to compare how the two types of cars are viewed by buyers.

Ted.

That car won best of show at Watkins Glen 2013.

http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... 45#p174559






It's in the registry:
http://www.311s.org/registry/1968/spl311-17895.html

Best of luck to Ed.

Purty car !

I like the redlines that pick up the top.

exciting!

Great to see. Hope it sets a new high water mark for the 1600's! Looks like a spectacular build. The comment about the MGB from the Haggerty write up is an interesting one!

dw

^ Oh yeah I re-read as I thought it was Ted's commentary...Ted where did you get Hagerty's comments I'd like to use that in some BaT posts to rile the BL fans

Alvin.

In the current Hagerty E-newsletter.

http://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/ ... 03-05-2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ted

Is anyone going to the Amelia Island Concours this year? I will be there working with the 60's Ferrari street cars.

What exactly does "working with" mean? Hmmm, lets see if the accelerator pedal is actuating properly... rooww rooww! Yep. OK, how about those brakes... hmm, better drive it and see how the steering is set up...

Says it has a 5 speed. Is that right?

Looking at the pics on the auction site, the shifter position looks like a 5spd. Also confirmed in the text below.

From the text on Gooding's site:

ABOUT THIS VEHICLE
The Datsun 1600 Roadster
The Datsun Roadster, lovingly dubbed the Fairlady in its Japanese home market, was built from 1963 to 1970. Although legend has it that it was designed as a copy of the MGB, in actual fact the Datsun model was launched several months prior to the MGB and therefore, any design resemblance is happenstance. Nevertheless, the car’s main competitors were considered to be the offerings of MG, Triumph, and Fiat.

The Datsun Roadster was extremely popular with over 40,000 being built over its 11 years of production by Nissan in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan. It was, however, considerably less expensive and more reliable than some of its European peers. In 1964, many upgrades were incorporated, engendered partly by Count Albrecht Goertz, and the new SP311and SPL311 models were launched at the Tokyo Motor Show. With a new and more powerful 1,600 cc engine supplanting the 1,500 cc engine and a top speed of 106 mph, the revisions were noteworthy. In the US the new, more desirable roadster was marketed as the Datsun Sports 1600.

This Car
This Datsun 1600 SPL311is a perfect example of the model. Appearing here in its original colors of Silver Grey Metallic (code #666) and smart red vinyl bucket seats, this roadster was meticulously restored just last year. Originally purchased in Arizona, the car was quite original at the commencement of the restoration and is what might affectionately be called a “true survivor.” The Datsun was totally disassembled, the body stripped and repainted, and then finished to replicate the factory original presentation. All components were inspected and refurbished to original specifications, with the majority of NOS and replacement parts obtained direct from Datsun Parts in Northridge,California.The brightwork was replated by Frankford Plating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Trim Specialties of Lambertville, New Jersey, was commissioned to install the canvas convertible top and correct vinyl interior in complementary red. Several desirable upgrades were made to the car during restoration, including the installation of a Datsun five-speed manual transmission to facilitate highway cruising and hidden radio amplifier to make that cruising ultimately more enjoyable. The car has accrued approximately 42,000 miles and only 1,000 since the completion of the restoration.

The consignor has entered the roadster in several events and notably has won First in Class and Best in Show at the Datsun Region Meet at Watkins Glen and the Antique Automobile Club of America Senior Award at Hershey in 2013, after which it was requested for display at the AACA Museum. Numerous awards, badges, and trophies accompany the sale of the car.

The 1600 Roadster is additionally accompanied by its original data plate, documented photo history of the restoration with receipts and records, and several original Datsun publications as well as its original transmission.

This lovely little Datsun 1600 Roadster is the perfect acquisition for a collector who is first and foremost a driver. Ideal for Sports Car Club of America events, this car will match up courageously against its European peers. Equally, the roadster’s excellent cosmetic condition and sporty and original factory colors will present well at any show.

Datsun.David wrote:Hope it sets a new high water mark for the 1600's!

What is the high water mark for a high windshield car?

ted heaton wrote:snip> Estimated price $35-45K. No reserve.
If a restored 68 1600 goes for that kind of $, Roadster values are going UP.Ted.

I'm guessing it may very well hit that estimated price. Here is one (below) that sold at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale Az in 2012 for $33K. (also, I noticed this one is not in the registry.)

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/applicat ... .1&aid=443" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In case anyone one wants to relive the discussion on the Barrett Jackson car:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... it=barrett

Thanks for posting that discussion Mike. I hadn't see it before, I guess I should have searched. Anyway interesting thread.

Dale