Now in its second year, Nissan Jam is quickly becoming SoCal’s go-to event for Nissan and Datsun fans of all stripes. Take one look around and you’ll see everything from ever-popular 510s and 240Zs to B210s and 240SXes. But forget the alphanumeric soup, let’s look at some of Nissan Motor Co.’s greatest hits.
The early morning roll-in was a parade of fascinating machinery. One of the most memorable sights was a bone stock B310 Sunny, resplendent in period brown and not giving a two craps about the mega-horsepower R35s, trundling into the show like it was 1981.
Likewise, a pale yellow and stock Datsun B210, complete with “Honey Bee” decals, was another one of our favorites. We are absolutely overjoyed that someone out there has decided to preserve a car once thought to be disposable.
Oscar Castaneda’s 1980 Datsun 210 Wagon wore a great set of one-piece Work Equip 02 wheels and a plethora of retro-inspired mods.
Alana Joy Gregorio won Best Sunny for her 1979 Datsun 210 2-door sedan. She bought from its original owner and it currently has only 66,000 miles on it. She’s named it “Julie.”
Jose Serna’s 1973 Datsun 1200 is all original, down to the paint, A12 motor, and automatic transmission. For his efforts at preservation Jose won 3rd place in the Best Sunny category.
As was expected from a Nissan-Datsun show, there was no shortage of Fairladies, both in topless and fastback form.
Hunter Hayes’ 1980 280ZX won best in its class, and deservedly so. It was bone stock and beautiful.
Besides all the sports cars and compacts, Nissan is also known for its trucks.
Robert Laag’s 1974 Datsun 620 pickup had only 72,000 miles on the clock. The only mods were an easily reversible drop and some aftermarket wheels. Robert even added air conditioning using an NOS condenser and authentic parts for the dealer-installed option.
Shawn Hackett’s 1964 Datsun NL320 won second place in the Best Truck category. The rare unibody pickup had a 3-inch drop and rode on red 16-inch Vintique wheels for a SoCal surf truck look.
Of course, no Nissan-Datsun show would be complete without a fleet of 510s, and this year’s Nissan Jam did not disappoint.
Miguel Cervantes’s stroked VG-powered 510 is still one of our favorites for many reasons. The unique XTerra V6 and mix of custom parts from various Nissan models is one, but we also love it because it is actually driven.
One of the most extensive 510 builds was John Paul Esteban’s 1969 510 restomod, swapped with an SR20DET, 820cc injectors with power put through an LSD.
Last but not least, another one of our favorites was Quoc Pham’s RB25DET-powered 1971 240Z.It sports one one the wides set of Longchamp XR-4s we’ve ever seen, and is gorgeous in its simplicity.
That does it for Part 01, but stay tuned for more installments.
Thanks for bringing the Niss/Dat goodness on a Tuesday JNC.
(Really like that 280ZX).
I drove a 620 PU all through high school (30 years ago)…damn, I want another one!
620’s or 720’s are like white gold here in Canada.
(I’ll take either one).
Wow, an original B210 Honey Bee with pie pan hub caps. I learned to drive in an automatic 4 door B210 powered by an anemic 1400cc 4. Fully loaded with 3 other students and an instructor, with the A/C on full blast, it would do 0-60 in 30 seconds. I almost got killed trying to merge onto the 405 freeway once. As much as I applaud this owner’s bravery for restoring one, it also reminds one of Nissan’s dog days of the mid to late 70s when they blighted the urbanscape with such design disasters as the F10, 200SX, 710, and even the disco ZX.
Thanks for giving my B310 (the brown one known as ‘Stanley’) some props. I’ve had him nearly 25 years now. And you’re absolutely right. He doesn’t give a two craps about any mega-horsepower. All stock engine and has never left me stranded on the side of the road. Great little car 🙂 It was nice seeing some other B310s. I’m usually the only one at car shows.
those 3 b310s are sooo clean and nice. congrats to whoever owns these car. its nice to see ppl still having them and taking care of em. I especially love that dang wagon!! wow
THESE!
These should be brought back! Yeah, add the safety stuff, ABS, etc., and update the drivetrains, but these, in concept, size and style should be brought back in a new American Datsun.
This goes back to “What would you tell the automakers?”
I’m thinking even the metal bumpers, with the airbag sensors attached wouldn’t be particularly difficult. Don’t need LED lighting; there are LED replacement “bulbs” available; round-or-square headlights, since there are those aftermarket “update” ones in the standard sizes, including in black, and projector versions for the vehicles we customize.
Manufacturers: Just look at what’s already been built, and how well it worked, and read the comments of people who are paying attention to cars. How many people are “fans” of most new cars, vs. how many are “fans” of the “classics?” Most of the Z-car’s comments I’ve read have said the present Z is chubby, porky, or any number of other less-than-flattering comments, while practically drooling over the first-decade version. There’s your inspiration for the next design.
At the economy end, look at the Sunnies, 210s, 310s, etc. I only recently discovered the “Honey Bee” version. That 210 wagon would be fantastic for my day-to-day life. As long as I can get one or two cases of paper towels in there, with the rest of the Costco/Sam’s purchase, we’re good! That white 310 is sweet!
Look at the stock 510s, then the modified ones; sell us cars that are the “stock” versions, to which we can add the fender flares, cold-air intakes, gauges, bigger wheel & tire setups, etc.
You manufacturers don’t even have to provide the modifying parts; the aftermarket will take care of that.
The trucks are EXACTLY what I was talking about going back to the smaller size; at least in the “small” line. A former neighbor would like to get a new truck, but he doesn’t want Colorado-sized, and that seems to be about the smallest available. These are the size trucks I’d own; perfect for carting pretty much everything the non-commercial life requires.
Oh – and make them inexpensive enough to get people’s attention. If you make them “disposable” inexpensive, you’ll get all kinds of sales. (Note that I’m not saying “cheap;” there’s a huge difference between those two concepts.) There are scads of ads out the for reference about the relative price points.
EXCELLENT Plan you have.
Hello Nissan? Put Randy on staff.
Randy? Make it happen SOON.
Pete? Buy one.
🙂
As long as I can work my own goofy-@$$ hours.
Probably couldn’t use “New American Datsun” for the name though… Wanna drive around with NAD on the grille?