Family owned since 1972, solid driver

Price: - Item location: Washington, Michigan, United States
Description:

1969 Datsun 1600

SPL311-24529

Current mileage 144907

A full photo gallery of the car can be found here:

Photos

A video of engine start after sitting for a about three weeks (made last fall)

Startup

History:

Car has been in family since 1972. My dad bought it from a business acquaintance of his who purchased it new from Trophy Datsun in Dallas (April 28, 1969). Dad used it as his “to and from work car”, and drove me and two other kids to school (until we were too big to sit on the parcel shelf). Starting in 1984, I used it as a daily driver during high school and also as my only transportation in college (1986-1992). After I moved to Michigan in 1992, the car stayed in storage with my parents in East Texas until 1997. I trailered it to Michigan in 1997, and completely rebuilt the front suspension around 1999, including sandblasting and painting front suspension components, installing new upper and lower ball joints, upper and lower suspension bushings, new shocks front and rear, and added a competition front stabilizer bar. I ran the car In about 4-5 autocrosses until about 2004. Car has been driven once or twice a year since then. Car had 87,500 miles in 1987 according to my records, and 134290 in 1992 according to service records I have from Douglas Nissan (Bryan, Texas). Since 2005, I’ve taken the car out for a short drive about once a year. Car has been stored in heated garages 100% since about 1995, and hasn’t been driven in the rain since about 1995, and never driven in Michigan winters.

Mechanicals:

Smog pump was removed around 1999, and the ports plugged, but I have retained the smog equipment. I did not change the distributor curve though.

Engine is stock, except for headers that were installed around 1984. Leaking head gasket was also replaced at this time. Water pump replaced in the 80’s Rear main oil seal was replaced, as well as the clutch and motor mounts in 1991 (with a 2L clutch and pressure plate). Rear main seal drips a little now, but is not uncommon with these cars. Electrically and mechanically the car is a sound daily driver. Rear wheel bearings replaced in late 80's, and front wheel bearings replaced in early 90's. Front brake rotors replaced in fall of 2016, and new brake caliper seals also fall of 2016. Original headlamps replaced with Sylvania halogen bulbs Feb. 2017. Compression test performed in October 2016: Values were all around 140 psi. Less than 5 psi difference from cylinder to cylinder. For reference, the shop manual lists compression at 180 psi.


Radiator was recored around 1999 (and cooling issues were significantly improved with the car). Electric fan was added around that time, with the fan relay manually operated using the foglight switch (rotating the “lights” knob clockwise). The only time the fan is really needed is when sitting in traffic for more than a couple of minutes on a warm day.

Original radio works, clock works, lights, etc gauges are all functional. Brakes and clutch have been bled in 2016. Even though the car hasn’t been driven regularly, I’ve tried to keep up on regular hydraulic fluid bleeds. Clutch and brake master replaced within the last 5 years. Brakes are solid. Brake hoses replaced with braided stainless lines when I overhauled the suspension in 1999. Tires are in good condition.

Alternator was replaced with a used spare around 2010 along with changing the voltage regulator from original to electronic.

Engine tune-up in summer of 2016 including fresh spark plugs, adjusting points, timing and carb mixture.

Paint/Body:

Car was resprayed in late 80’s which included the typical rust repair around the lower part of the rear fenders, and a minor dent on the right front fender around the side marker light (due to me turning into a concrete pillar when backing out of a parking spot). After 20+ years, the rust around the lower part of the fender openings is starting to reappear, but it's not structural. A minor fender bender in the 80’s damaged the front bumper and one of the bumper guards. We found a old bumper and guard, and had those rechromed at the time and installed on the car. I still have the original front bumper.

Wheels on the car were dealer installed option. Some are starting to show significant rust on the chromed rims. Two of the three “spinners” are still on the wheels. One is included with the parts bundle, but has one of it’s “legs” broken/missing.

Cracks in truck floor, around where the fuel tank mounts are located underneath, were welded up, and trunk floor painted in summer 2016.

Interior:

Seats and carpet were originally redone in the mid 80’s. Dash cap on dash was added in mid 80’s. Carpets were replaced again in 2013. The floorboards were cleaned up and painted with POR-15 also when the carpets were replaced. Seats were recovered in September 2016. Passenger seat still retains the original seat foam. Driver’s side seat cushion foam and webbing were replaced, but the setback foam is in good shape.

Car cover, Tonneau cover, and boot cover are included. Tonneau and boot are relatively new and in great condition. Smog equipment, fan and fan shroud included with car, along with stock stabilizer bar and some odds and ends. Original owners manual, radio manual also included. Also including a “Battery Tender” trickle charger for the battery.

Main reason for selling the car…we are starting to downsize a bit in preparation for a move. The car is only being driven occasionally. It’s a good driver’s car, and cosmetically decent, but not perfect. Hope someone can continue to get a lot of enjoyment out of this car.

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Disclaimer
Car is sold as-is. I’ve made every attempt to be open and honest about the condition of the car.