Datsun Sports

Datsun Fairlady/Sports
Datsun Fairlady 1600 (in Australia)
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	1959–April 1970 circa 40,000 produced
Assembly	Yokohama Plant, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Japan (Tonouchi Industrial, 1958-1960) Hiratsuka, Kanagawa (Nissan Shatai Plant, 1960-1970)
Designer	Yuichi Ōta
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door Roadster
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Datsun DC-3
Successor	Nissan Z-car

Sports 1000 S211
Overview
Production	1959–1960 20 produced
Designer	Yuichi Ohta
Body and chassis
Related	Datsun Bluebird 211 Datsun Truck 220
Powertrain
Engine	988 cc C I4
Transmission	4 speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,220 mm (87.4 in)
Length	3,895 mm (153.3 in)
Width	1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Height	1,350 mm (53.1 in)

Fairlady / Sports 1200 SPL212
Overview
Production	1960–1961 288 produced
Body and chassis
Related	Datsun 223 Pickup Datsun 1000
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L E I4
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,220 mm (87.4 in)
Length	4,025 mm (158.5 in)
Width	1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height	1,380 mm (54.3 in)

Fairlady/Sports 1500 SPL310/SP310
Overview
Also called	Datsun 1500
Production	August 1963–January 1965
Body and chassis
Body style	convertible
Related	Datsun Bluebird 310 Nissan Cedric 30 Datsun Truck 320
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L G15 I4
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,280 mm (89.8 in)
Length	3,953 mm (155.6 in)
Width	1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Height	1,275 mm (50.2 in)

Fairlady/Sports 1600 SPL311/SP311
Facelifted Datsun 1600 roadster (1969)
Overview
Also called	Datsun 1600
Production	January 1965–April 1970
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible
Related	Nissan Silvia CSP311
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L R16 I4
Transmission	4-speed synchromesh manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,280 mm (89.8 in)
Length	3,955 mm (155.7 in)
Width	1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Height	1,300 mm (51.2 in)

Fairlady/Sports 2000 SRL311/SR311
Overview
Also called	Datsun 2000
Production	March 1967–April 1970
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L U20 I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,280 mm (89.8 in)
Length	3,955 mm (155.7 in)
Width	1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Height	1,325 mm (52.2 in)
Curb weight	950 kg (2,094 lb)

The Datsun Sports (called Datsun Fairlady in the Japanese and Australian markets), was a series of roadsters produced by Nissan in the 1960s. The series was a predecessor to the Z-car in the Fairlady line, and offered a competitor to the European MG, Triumph, Fiat and Alfa Romeo sports cars. The line began with the 1959 "S211" and continued through 1970 with the "SP311" and "SR311" line.

The Fairlady saw competitors follow its introduction, with examples called the Honda S500, the Toyota Sports 800, and the Daihatsu Compagno. In Japan, it represented one of three core products offered by Nissan at Japanese Nissan Dealerships called Nissan Shop, alongside the Datsun Truck and the Datsun 1000. The Datsun SRL 2000 was the 2 seat roadster that made their name. Paul Newman started his racing career in one. It had a potent 1982cc overhead cam engine with dual SU type side draft carbs and a 5 speed transmission. In 1991, Nissan introduced a limited number two-door convertible styled in a retro appearance to the Datsun Sports called the Nissan Figaro.

The first Datsun Sports model was the 1959 S211. It used a 988 cc C-series straight-4 producing 37 PS (27 kW; 36 hp). The S211 was based on the Datsun 211 sedan. Incorporated into the side trim were the side badges, which said "Datsun 1000". It was designed by Yuichi Ohta, who had previously designed the Datsun DC-3 and the prototype to the S211, the A80X. Both the A80X and S211 featured fiberglass bodywork, influenced by the Chevrolet Corvette. Only 20 examples of the S211 were built, making the S211 the rarest of all Datsun models.