From The Classifieds: 1971 Datsun 1600 GL

There can be little doubt the Datsun 1600 was a significant model for the Japanese car-maker.

At the time of its Australian arrival in 1968, it was seen as a highly-engineered contrast to the other Japanese mid-size sedan just beginning to make headway on the local market, the 1.6-litre Toyota Corona.

In fact, with a single-overhead-camshaft 1.6-litre engine producing 72kW, MacPherson strut front suspension and a coil-spring, semi-trailing arm independent arrangement at the back, it spoke more of Europe than Japan. It was more sophisticated than the Toyota Corona with its 67kW/132Nm pushrod 1.6-litre engine and leaf-spring live rear axle and was dubbed, at the time, as a poor man’s BMW.

Known elsewhere as the Datsun 510 or Datsun Bluebird, the 1600 not only looked more European than Japanese, but also proved to be pretty effective and durable on and off the bitumen. So much so, that the model remains something of a legend in late 1960s, early 1970s Australian (and international) rallying.

Initially, the 1600 was fully imported from Japan, but switched to Australian production at Datsun’s assembly plant in Clayton, Victoria, from 1969 until it was discontinued and replaced by the much-maligned 180B model in 1972. The Datsun 1600 began as a four-speed manual only, with an optional three-speed auto offered from 1970.

To drive, the 1600 was not entirely European from the cockpit, where Japanese-spec trim and pretty basic seating dismantled a lot of the “cheap BMW” image and the inherently-nimble handling was compromised by basically uncommunicative recirculating-ball steering.

But if you could look around that, the Datsun 1600 stood head and shoulders above its competition, while its durability was nowhere better confirmed than in the car’s immense popularly on the rally circuit.

With this sort of reputation, the chance of finding an original 1600 without at least a Nissan 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is pretty rare, but the odd example is still out there.

Such as this very clean three-speed auto 1971 GL model from the Melbourne suburb of Donvale. Showing just 55,183 miles on the odometer and still wearing its original beige paint, the GL 1600 comes with the original logbook and all service records. It is described by the owner as being in “immaculate” condition inside and out. Even the number plate is the same as it was at its 1971 registration.

As with any old car that fits outside the exotic spectrum, the price is attainable, but probably acceptable only to glued-on enthusiasts. At the same time, $18,500 (including roadworthy) for an urban legend described as rust-free and used gently throughout its 41 years on the road, is an investment not likely to go sour.