"We've had a thing about Datsun's sporty Z cars since when they were the hottest, newest, sporty Japanese number on the market. Call the designation the Fairlady if you like, but we'll always think of the long nosed beauty as "
Datsun Bluebird 1600 SSS
The Datsun Bluebird was once the butt of endless jokes. In the seventies, in the UK, it seemed the default crap car of choice. It could be seen littering the less glamorous environs of Britain’s towns and cities, rusting away everywhere in garish colours.
But as time goes on, the world turns, and you can see that Nissan’s best selling car had some interesting editions. We think the 510 version, built in Pretoria from 1968 to 1974 mid seventies, all boxy simplicity and everyman appeal, is worthy of a reconsideration – especially the racily noted ‘triple S’ version.
This was a time of course when Britain’s boy racers were proud to pin their flag to the Dagenham masthead – with souped up Escorts Cortinas and Capris dominating the laddish market. The SSS Bluebird had a lot to go up against.
The SSS came with twin carbs, upgraded compression ratios and cam-profiles as well as a load of rece-style interior and exterior trim, but we’re not sure how they would have fared against an RS Mexico.
Would have made a nice little custom platform, though.
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