“THE SQUAD WAS CHASING AN EXCAPEE THROUGH THE BUSH YOU COULDV’E SWORN YOU WERE WATCHING A FORD AD”
DATTO 1600 TIPSTER
Here’s some extra info about the Datsun 1600 510 as covered in issue #402: The Datsun 1600 manual was only ever fitted with a 3.7:1 diff (68-72) but the 3 speed auto had a 3.9:1 diff so fitting this to a manual (with the correct speedo gear) made it much more pleasant to drive.
The 1968 1600 (clap-hands wiper) model was fully imported, it had a deluxe badge on the lower front guards and also on the righthand side boot lid. They made the best base cars as for some reason they had much better rust protection than the Australian assembled cars (1969-1972).
The white auto 1600 in your article has imported front guards (mirrors on the guards) instead of on the doors as on the Australian assembly otherwise it looks ver y original.
Tips for a better 1600: BRAKES: Fit a 180B master cylinder and booster with inertia valve (the mounting holes are already there). Reversed front struts from an early 200B (calipers at the front) will fit straight in with lower springs (bigger brakes) and finned drums from a 240Z will fit the rear brakes.
WHEELS: Stanza SSS (15”) wheels are a direct fit and give you low profile tyres and a better grip.
STEERING: A steering-box brace kit gives a much better steering feel (available from Maddat).
MOTOR: A period-correct 180B SSS engine is a good fit – maximum overbore takes them to over 1900cc. The Hitachi SU carbs can be rebuilt – a well set up pair of 42 or 40mm Webers with Red Line manifold is even better. An early 200B exhaust manifold gives low restriction (and less noise than extractors) with a 2” system.
The L18 (oversquare) is a real screamer and much happier at high revs than the popular L20 Bluebird motor.
GEARBOX: The dogleg Stanza SSS gearbox is a direct fit, but if you can’t cope with the shift pattern a Bluebird series II box with shortened tailshaft works well
A Foundation member of the Nissan/Datsun Car Club of SA, I owned a ‘Kings Red’ 1969 1600 from new until it developed terminal rust in 1985 and I sadly sold it. My current classic is a red 1971 Fiat 125 2.0-litre Special (it even sounds like the old Datto) bought from an advert in your magazine.
Great magazine, guys. Peter Marr Brighton SA ED Love your work, Peter and thanks for the tips.
BOB’S CADILLAC
Brian Mantle’s letter in issue 400 about Bob Menzies’ Buicks also mentioned his 1949 Cadillac. I can provide some information about the fate of the Cadillac.
From November 1964 to February 1965 I was working for two orchardists Bruce Genge and Ernie Woods on Mangrove Mountain, west of Gosford NSW.
The Menzies car had come into the ownership of a neighbouring bee-keeper. I used to see it frequently gliding past. Charles Fox Quinns Rocks WA ED It never fails to amaze me, the things you lot come up with...
YOU DID IT AGAIN
The latest Unique Cars magazine that I received today (#402) includes, on page 38, another vehicle other than a car. In fact it is not a 4WD this time, but a 6WD TRUCK!!!
BUT the rest of the magazine is so good that in this instance I FORGIVE YOU for the inclusion of this piece of ex-military farm junk in a CAR magazine.
Keep up the good work with the other 99 per cent of the features. Philip Bradshaw Warnbro WA ED Always good to get a little forgiveness, Philip.