Shed Of The Week: Nissan Bluebird 1.6 LX

A Toyota recently sold at auction for $1m; Shed spots a more modest investment in Japanese antiquity

Formal education hasn't played that big a part in Shed's life, unless you count the two weeks he recently spent at Benenden Girls' School (his case comes up next Tuesday). Nevertheless, even Shed knows about supply and demand. When there aren't enough widgets to go around, and you've got one of them, you're generally on to a good thing.

Shed digs deep into Nissan history for inspiration

Nice houses and classic cars fall into this 'everyone's a winner' category. Right about now you may be struggling to see the connection between a fine Georgian town house and a 1989 Nissan Bluebird 1.6 LX, other than perhaps in the area of top speed. Here's the answer.

What is it again that turns a car into an appreciating asset? That's right, supply and demand. There is a finite (and nicely reducing) number of Nissan Bluebirds. But where's the demand, you shout?

Ah well, you see, that may not be obvious just yet, but as Bill Gates or Warren Buffett would tell you if they weren't busy, identifying future demand is the big secret to making money. A few weeks ago, RM Auctions sold a 1967 Toyota at a hammer price of $1 million. Admittedly, there's a bit of a difference between a Toyota 2000GT and a Nissan Bluebird 1.6 LX, but in one way there isn't: they're both historic Japanese cars, and they're both in short supply.

250 GTO style rear vents the sportiest feature

Shed's view is that when the number of Bluebirds drops to single figures, the big money will start to come in from the Shoguns of St Datsun, a clique of shadowy figures who have sworn to guard the company's heritage by rounding up the finest examples of the marque and safely storing them in secure underground vaults.

And this Shed here could well be on their shopping list. Just look at it, resplendent in its Sputum Green bodywork and Dirt Grey interior, pre-soiled by the factory for your minicabbing convenience. As a late U12, the last Bluebird sold in the UK, this car embodies the full array of design genius that made it such a cutting-edge conveyance for paying punters. Note the vents on the rear wings, painstakingly developed in the wind tunnel for the most efficient dispersal of curry and vomit fumes. Strong hinges, for hours of intensive doorframe leaning while on the station rank. Front-wheel drive, naturally, for good getaway traction on poorly-maintained council estate roads. And of course that distinctive flat-bossed steering wheel for resting one's hot beverage while awaiting the next victim, or fare as they are sometimes known.

You won't find another like this - reason enough?

As you can see from the pics, the current owner uses the car's paperwork in lieu of seat covers to provide useful reassurance for more nervous passengers, who will also appreciate you showing them not one but two trip meters 'for when your meter is playing up'.

What could go wrong, apart from this car taking up residence outside your residence that is? Nothing that can't be fixed by the addition of a beaded seat cover or a sly kick from a Factory Shop boot. That's why cabbies used Bluebirds. They're not stupid. Well, not all of them anyway.

If you fancy the idea of a spot of light cabbing, it would perhaps be best to clear that wodge of receipts out of the glovebox first. Also, keep your eye out for the Datsun Shogun. They're hardcore traditionalists who don't recognise the new name - and they don't take kindly to gaijin abusing their heritage.

Here is the ad.

Very straight original car with only 65,000 miles from new with Full Service History! Over £4000 in receipts Taxed until Oct with full MOT, reliable modern classic!! Call for full history and spec.

OP Posts Only

Prev 2 3...13 14 Next

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

The Boy Lard

Original Poster

470 posts

254 months