QotW: What would you do with a Nissan IDx?

Nissan IDx Safari 2

Now that a highly anticipated lightweight FR Nissan has been confirmed for production, the only question is:

What would you do with a Nissan IDx?

How about a replica of the Safari Rally winning 1970 Datsun 510 SSS? Extend the roof and make a neo-510 wagon? Keep it bone stock for posterity? Build a VQ drift machine? The possibilities are endless, especially when you have Adobe Photoshop. Show Nissan what dreams you’d like to follow in the production IDx.

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “What ‘Class of 1989’ car would you import?” 

This week’s winner is daruma3gakoronda, who nominated an interesting candidate. Yes, it’s a Skyline, it’s got the sexy bod of a kenmeri, but it’s actually only 25 years young. Rocky Auto‘s latest creation, unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, give you the classic look of an iconic KPGC110 but with 1989-era amenities.

Expecting a flood of R32s, but how about this for a twist?

Rocky Auto KenMeri bodied R32.

Rocky Auto takes a R32 GTR, rips off the body panels, slaps on KenMeri styled body panels (larger to account for the larger R32 frame) and you have a retro looking but modern Skyline! Best of both worlds! Rack & Pinion, multilink suspension! You can have your cake and eat it too!

You can also have AWD, AT etc., if you like. :D

Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!

JNC Decal smash

Images courtesy Nissan, Rocky Auto.

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45 Responses to QotW: What would you do with a Nissan IDx?

  1. Nakazoto says:

    I would buy it and drive it! It would be the perfect reliable daily driver.

    • Lupus says:

      I would’ve been so sure about the reliability of it. Actually of any todays car. They are calculated to live for a desired amout of time/milies(kilometers), let’s say 5 years/200k km, and they start tu crumble. It’s just buisness. The classics from ’70s, ’80s & early ’90s will live long after these year manufactured cars will be pieces of scrap. No offence to Nissan personaly. It’s the same by ToCoMo and the rest. It’s even more obvious when it comes to european marques. Thats way i wouldn’t buy the new Nissan’s child. And any other new car. The only exeption is Mazda 6. 😉

      • dankan says:

        Finite element analysis and other advances has led to less over-building. But the improvements in material quality, rust-proofing (key here in Canada) and general engineering quality I think counter-act such trends. The 1990s cars were great, but I’d bet you could go just as far with some of the econoboxes built today. Perhaps even farther as the electronics is of much higher quality than what was possible in the 1980s and 1990s.

        The first million-mile Prius will be an attention getter, because no one thinks the battery will last that long. But I do not doubt you could get a Honda Fit to the same mileage, and probably have a lot of fun beating the snot out of it on the way.

  2. Muhammad says:

    I would build a full fledged drag car!

  3. Tom says:

    Nothing….because if it has a cvt as reported it will here in Japan, then its not worth having. The Rocky Auto Kenmeri R32 was a thing of beauty to behold in person.

  4. E-AT_me says:

    Commute in it for the next 40 years racking up over a million miles..

  5. crazycat says:

    If it were given to me.. I’d sell it.. Looks like crap.. Go buy a classic Datsun instead.

    • Rustrocket says:

      Agreed. Selling that thing would completely finance my S30 and Z31 builds. Every time I consider buying a new car, I just imagine spending that amount on my projects. Pragmatism always wins. I like old cars, not new ones.

  6. Power Tryp says:

    I’d make sure it’s parking space was all ready for it’s arrival after we pick it up from the dealership. I would then drive it every day and feed it petrol but premium and synthetic oil because it’s my IDx and it deserves the best. I would take it to autocross and track days so that it can learn how to be the best car from all the older cars out there and when it gets old I’ll make sure its pampered until the parts supply run out.

    I’d love my IDx that’s what I’d do with it.

  7. dankan says:

    I’d get a set of Watanabes for the summer tires, put the snow tires on the original wheels and then drive the heck out of it until retirement. At which point I will have a serious dilemna, as I plan on retiring to Japan, and don’t want to bring it over and deal with “LHD in RHD country” headaches. Hmmm, maybe I should just keep it stock to hock it for maximum dollars before getting something tasty and RHD in Japan…

  8. Jim-Bob says:

    For starters, I would exorcise the car’s one fatal flaw: the CVT transmission. In it’s place would go a 5 or 6 speed manual from an older Nissan car or truck with a custom adapter plate, clutch and flywheel. After that, I would get rid of the 4 spoke wheels and go with 5 spokes or some cool, vintage looking wheel. Of course then I would have to stiffen the chassis and add some boost and a large front mount intercooler as well. As for the body, I don’t know. It looks a little too much like a mid 70’s Datsun and too little like a PL 510 to really be attractive and I don’t think I could do anything to change that.

    • Randy says:

      Don’t those 4-spokes strike you immediately as a new version of the Enkei Apache?

      • Jim-Bob says:

        The thing is, I have never seen a 4 spoke wheel that I liked. They always seem to be one spoke short to my eyes, but then I was originally a musclecar guy so that is where a lot of my sense of style came from. (I still like musclecars, but with gas touching $4 a gallon for premium my budget won’t let me have a V8. I also moved on to things with better overall numbers instead of just acceleration.)

      • Randy says:

        Ahhhh… I can do either – as long as things “line up.” To me, a 5-spoke wheel with 4 lugs looks off, as does, say, an 8-spoke with 5 lugs, unless there’s SOMETHING to break up the space… I think it’s the spacing between the elements.

    • wantyerknobby says:

      it’s not going to be nissan powered so you’d want a 6spd out of slk or xfire

      • Jim-Bob says:

        Mercedes? Really? Nissan sure is making some odd mashups as of late. The new Datsun is being built by Avtovaz (it’s a badge-engineered Lada Kalina) , they share designs with Renault and now they are using MB engines too? Globalization makes odd bedfellows!

  9. Matt says:

    If the IDx were to follow the same ideology that the 510 did, it will be an affordable yet dependable, modest car with a lot of bang for your buck. These are the best cars to modify extensively, because you didn’t drop a lot of coin to get it. Therefore, no mercy! I say full on Rocket Bunny race monster!
    http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t657/mattyhacks/http3A2F2Fimagescaletumblrcom2Fimage2F12802F76ab0b4641f1eb47ffd84d95fd16e7572Ftumblr_mwopmiWzh51sb4km8o1_zpsd00337de.jpg

  10. Sideglide says:

    As others have said, I would ditch the CVT for just about anything else. I would, obviously, run the NISMO version with the 1.6L engine and set it up for Gymkana best runs on the weekend with my girl also running a twin version (best to enjoy your hobbies with someone). I would outlaw any kind of Rocket Bunny/6666 Rodeo bodykit that is sure to come. Those kits are fine but belong on drift missiles and Neon rodeo clowns.

    Finally, I would undo whatever body modifications Nissan will do to smooth out the current concept’s boxy look. With EPA and MPG seeming to be the biggest design cue for modern cars, I would welcome a classic boxy style. Coefficiency of drag be damned! I can live with paying and extra $20-30 a year at the pump for something that isn’t a bar of soap. Shark nose front fender and hood, hell yes! It’s about time we realize that design should be left to the designers. If you want to increase MPG, try losing some weight in other areas (or gut). Bring back the days of interesting character lines, unique accents, and car that taste like Rocky Road. I’ll pass on the vanilla swirl, thanks.

  11. Matt says:

    Sell it, Buy an FT-1. Love the FT-1 for eternity.
    but if i absolutely had to keep it i would slam it, 20det, and throw some wats at it.

  12. pete240z says:

    It’s starting to grow on me more and more as I see these other versions. I would drive it – enjoy it – travel the USA – LOTS of road trips.

  13. goki says:

    still wish it looked more like this concept (modified for wagon)

    https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1457616_553347684753447_2050532881_n.jpg
    (in case the img link didnt work)

  14. Tony says:

    What to do with an IDX…
    1. sign contract with BRE for exclusive rights to produce BRE edition appearance package
    2. develop performance enhancements “co-op” with respected aftermarket manufactures to boost performance output of standard vehicle.
    3. create prototype vehicle for press test drives and review
    4. use press to sign on “roush” type dealer network
    5. release 46 livery versions per year of new vehicle for scca guys see (cobra r)
    6. sell contract rights to Nissan direct or larger firm to take over production of parts/cars
    7. retire

  15. Dimitri says:

    Honestly?

    If it’s cvt then cvt it is. Look we admire our cars because its how they were when they first got out. Nissan’s L,K, S, RB, and VQ engines were admired with their transmissions and whether or not cvt is confirmed, I’d still love the hell out of the IDx.

    First I’d de-badge “Nissan” and put the famous “Datsun” (maybe “Bluebird” too). Then I’d modify the front spoiler to give it more outward depth. Next up are the flares. The prototype is just displayed as riveted stretched/rolled flares, so with confirmation, hopefully the flares would deem replaceable. I’d throw in Hayashi Streets if they forge the right dimensions and lastly, I’d modify a modern take on the famous chrome bumper.

    Even when its the “latest, hottest, modern” model, roots will always be displayed; I’m talking about the Skyline’s taillights and the pillars of the Fairlady so I think it’s reasonable to display these attributes towards the IDx.

  16. dickie says:

    answer might seem very obvious:

    cut the sheetmetal off above the floorpan, shorten or extend what’s left where necessary to fit the target wheelbase, build integral cage, drape 510 sheetmetal or fiberglass body on the result and power it with an sr20 through a 5-speed.

  17. Benjamin says:

    Drive it for the next 37 years, pay for a complete restoration at The Finishing Touch, and then sell it at RM Auctions in 2052 for $101,750.

  18. Randy says:

    I’m gonna go the opposite direction. I’ll take what would have been showroom-available back before I was even playing with the toy versions, and drag it to today.

    First off, 1968 Datsun Turquoise – maybe; maybe Ivory with a burgundy interior? A light color. Colors to be determined. Put narrow, chrome strips around the grey wheel well trim, and a slightly wider trim above the grey rocker trim. Chrome trim on the taillight assemblies. Chrome door handles, and around the side windows.

    Most likely, we’re getting the mirrors mounted at the front, lower corner of the windows. If they’re the same shape and style of the IDx, just mounted U.S.-style, or say, a bullet-style (think Shelby Cobra mirrors), lets chrome them, too.

    DOWNsize the wheels, going with either:
    – Full wheel covers in “chrome” (maybe straight wires that look somewhat like those Honda S800 spoke wheel covers) and whitewalls, OR
    – Body-colored wheels (smoothie/genny style) – if the measurements work out – with chrome/stainless steel center caps and trim rings, with raised white letter tires.

    Fog lights (leaning toward round ones) mounted at the outer ends of the lower grille.

    The aftermarket should, within a year of the car’s appearance, be providing (1) chrome grille overlays/replacements, for either side of the “V,” and (2) dash kits, of which, I’ll go with the bright, brushed aluminum.

    Assuming the panel between the taillights is black, replace it with brushed aluminum, too.

    Here’s the link to the colors I was looking at:
    http://www.tcpglobal.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1968-Datsun-pg01.jpg

    Oh yeah, and in case I haven’t mentioned it before:
    STICK SHIFT! STICK SHIFT! STICK SHIFT!

  19. Randy says:

    Haven’t been there in a while, but the Early Datsun page has what people actually bought, THEN modified to THEIR tastes.

    http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun510.html

  20. Randy says:

    I’m an idiot; should have caught this before!


    IDx => ID x => IDentification (name) unknown

    So what’s it gonna be called? Somehow, I don’t see “Bluebird” making a comeback, soooo. . . ?

  21. Dave says:

    So I saw the pair of IDx concepts at NAIAS on Monday. They looked awesome. I loved ’em, they were among the highlights of the show. In person, some design details make the cars look less flat than they do in photos. They do look pretty tall but still compact. The design is decidedly retro, and it’s very curious to me that Nissan chose the retro path (like Mini Cooper) rather than the modern interpretation path (like Toyota 86). Of course, it remains to be seen what the production version will really be like. I also somehow didn’t realize that the yellow one was two-tone! I actually preferred the yellow, non-Nismo one; it looked so perfect, the details so crisp and elegant. Strangely, while they were displayed alongside the SSC/new Maxima, the presentation didn’t mention them at all.

    So what would I do with it? Stock is my thing, although if clever and tasteful aftermarket stuff that caters to the retro flavors appear around this new car, I’d probably partake. I’m thinking nice vintage-style JDM rims, air dam, etc. I’d just daily drive and enjoy the heck out of it, maybe autocross w/ it.

    • Randy says:

      Hey, neat page, though I don’t know what “automological” means… If Renault still made something that looks like that, maybe they’d still be in the States.

      Lotsa nice metal there!

  22. austin says:

    If I had one, I’d just go the route of pissing people off. So I’d get an FRS to go along. And than paint it exactly like an old 240z, and paint my Nissan exactly like a first gen celica. Just because I’m pissed that their cars look exactly like a remake of the other guys car. Datsun 510 my ass. That’s a celica.

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