MODEL INFORMATION & HISTORY

The first of the Datsun Sports were the "Fairlady 1500". These were nominally called the "1963" model, but actually started production in October 1962. The engine was the "G Series", displacing 1500cc with 3 Main Bearings. Breathing was via 1 x "SU" type carby. The compression ratio was 8.0:1, producing 75bhp @ 5000, 83ft/lbs torque @ 3200rpm. The gearbox was a "crash" first gear, 4 speed.

To best of my knowledge this model never made it to Australia. About 300 were sent to the USA.

The first Australian Fairlady was basically the same, except it had a higher performance engine, ie 2 x "SU" type carbs, 9.0:1 compression, 85bhp @ 5600, and 92ft/lbs torque @ 4400rpm.

Datsun experimented with a Sports Coupe from 1965 until 1969. This was based on the new Datsun 1600 Sports running gear, but with a coupe body designed by ..................(I can't remember!). Only 500 odd of these were made with 33 coming to Australia. These cars are virtually hand built! To find out more visit the excellent Nissan Silvia Page

In June 1965, the "Datsun 1600 Sports" was released. Nissan Australia had decided to move away from model names to numbers after the embarrassment of the Cedric.

The Datsun 1600 Sports had an R-Series, displacing 1595cc. The early engines had 3 mains, with the later ones having a more robust 5 main bearing crank. Breathing again was by 2 x "SU" type carbs. With a compression ration of 9.0:1, this engine produced 96bhp @ 6000 and 103ft/lbs torque @ 4000rpm.

March 1967 marked the first production of the "Datsun 2000 Sports". This model was to become the pinnacle of the Datsun Sports. Nissan's engineering team now had the Prince Skyline people amongst their ranks and they produced an OHC engine especially for the 2000. This engine bears similarities to the later "L-series", but there are no parts interchangeability. It is said that the head is a copy of the Mercedes Benz design. Well if you are going to copy you may as well copy the best!

This engine was called the "U20 Series". Its has a bore of 87.2mm and a stroke of 83mm (approaching a "square" design), displacing 1982cc. We were lucky the get the "race spec" engine in Australia with 2 Solex 44PPH carbys and a 30/70 cam producing 150bhp @ 6000rpm and 138ft/lbs torque @ 4800rpm.

In summary:

Model Name	Model No.	Model Year	Engine	Gearbox	Notes
Fairlady 1500	SP-310	"1963 Model" (from Oct. 1962)	G Series,1500cc (3 Main),1 x "SU" carb,8.0:1, 75bhp @ 5000, 83ft/lbs @ 3200	4 speed Gearbox (No synchro on 1st)	Australian Model 2 x "SU" carbs 9.0:1, 85bhp @ 5600;92ft/lbs @ 4400
"Nissan Silvia"	CSP-311	1965 to 1969	R-Series,1595cc,(3 Main),2 x "SU" carbs,9.0:1, 96bhp @ 6000; 103ft/lbs @ 4000	4 Speed Gearbox	Coupe body
"Datsun Sports 1600"	SP-311	"1966 Model" (from June 1965)	R Series,1595cc (3 Main),2 x "SU" carbs,9.0:1, 96bhp @ 6000; 103ft/lbs @ 4000	4 Speed Gearbox	Front disc brakes
		"1968 Model" (from Oct 1967)	5 mains		High Windscreen
		"1969 Model" (Oct 1968)			Recirculating Ball Steering
		"1970 Model" (from July 1969)
"Datsun Sports 2000"	SR-311	"67 1/2 Model"	U20 Series 1982cc (5 Main),2 x Solex 44PPH,9.5:1, 150bhp @ 6000; 138ft/lbs @ 4800	5 Speed Gearbox with "Porsche" type synchros	Low Screen Model- only 1000 made worldwide
		"1968 Model" (from Oct 1967)			High Windscreen
		"1969 Model" (from Oct 1968)			Recirculating Ball Steering
		"1970 Model" (from July 1969)			sadly, the last ones!