Make Datsun

Year Founded 1931

Year Disbanded 1986

Headquarters Yokohama, Japan

Famous For Japanese cars sold under the Datsun name before the brand was unified under Nissan in 1986. The Datsun name covered a wide range of economical and sporting cars that played a major role in introducing Japanese motoring to Western markets in the 1960s and 1970s. A brief brand revival from 2013 to 2022 produced budget cars for emerging markets.

Datsun

Datsun Price Guide

Datsun is essentially the pre-1986 identity of Nissan, and the cars sold under that badge in the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s represent some of the most significant Japanese cars ever sold in Western markets. If you own a classic Datsun, you own a car from the period when Japanese manufacturers were first demonstrating that they could build world-class vehicles at competitive prices. The market for these cars has matured significantly and the best examples are now firmly in the collector bracket.

What Affects Datsun Values

Model is the dominant factor. The gap between a standard Datsun saloon and the Z-series sports cars is enormous in value terms. Originality, rust-free bodywork, and correct specification matter for all models, but the Japanese domestic market cars and those with full documented histories tend to be the most sought after. The North American market was the primary export destination and many of the best-preserved examples come from dry-state US collections. Right-hand-drive examples command premiums in markets such as the UK and Australia.

Z-Series Sports Cars

The 240Z (1969-1973) is the blue-chip Datsun. It arrived at a time when there was no other sports car offering its combination of performance, reliability, and price, and it reshaped the market. Values have risen sharply and clean, original 240Zs are now serious collector cars. The 260Z and 280Z that followed are more common and slightly less revered but still actively collected. The 280ZX shifted the car in a grand touring direction and is more affordable. Any Z-car with a documented race or rally history commands a premium. The later 300ZX is covered under the Nissan name following the badge change.

Saloons, Pickups, and Other Models

The Datsun 1600 and 2000 Fairlady roadsters are genuine classic sports cars with a small but dedicated following. The 510 (Bluebird) saloon is an increasingly appreciated classic that was ahead of its time in handling and build quality. The 1200 and B110 models are affordable entry points into the Datsun world. The Datsun pickup truck, sold in huge numbers particularly in North America and Australasia, has developed a strong following among collectors of working classics and off-road enthusiasts – clean, original examples are harder to find than you might expect.