Footnotes

• Throughout the 1950s most of Nissan's Datsun-badged cars were built-under-license Austins, but towards the decade's end the Japanese manufacturer began introducing models of its own design, commencing with the famous Bluebird saloon. The latter was followed by the S211 sports car, a 1.0-litre, glassfibre-bodied, open four-seater somewhat similar in appearance to the Austin-Healey 100. When the S211 was up-rated to SP212 configuration for 1960 it gained a 1.2-litre engine, steel body panels and a new name: Fairlady. The first major redesign arrived in 1961 and was displayed at that year's Tokyo Show but did not enter production until October '62. This was the Fairlady 1500 (SP310), which used a strengthened Bluebird 310 chassis and the latter's 1488cc four-cylinder engine. It was in this form that the Fairlady first began to enjoy considerable success in the USA, Road & Track magazine commenting that they had seldom seen a car that came with so many 'extras' as standard. In 1965 the next-generation SP311 was introduced, boasting a 1.6-litre engine, Japan's first all-synchromesh gearbox, front disc brakes and a styling makeover. Performance was similar to that of the rival MGB.
  This right-hand example of an early and rarely seen Japanese sports car was imported from Japan into the Republic of Ireland and is registered there. We are advised that some changes have been made to the bodywork, suspension and tyres, and that all original parts are included in the sale.
  

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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