1983 Datsun Sunny B11 coupe...with a twist.

[InitialDave]

designforlife said:

Admittedly an SR20 would be a lot more practical/cheaper.

No, I mean I literally don't think it'll fit.

[Nexus Icon]

StescoG66 said:

Nexus Icon said:

I remember my old man buying a W reg one of these at a couple of years old. He didn't keep it long though as his insurance tripled from a 1.6 Capri just because it was Japanese. It looked cool, went ok (even in standard fettle) and was pretty uncommon, even in its heyday. Nice car.

A W reg would have been the previous RWD car I think. they were nice in their day too - My old man had a T reg one (140Y Coupe)

Oh, yeah you could be right - I always thought it was one of the FWD ones but maybe not. I've had a beer or two since the early 80s so I could be remembering it wrong. It was a deep metallic brown with what I remember as a gold flake in the paint. Surely that can't be right either!

[freenote]

I think just painting the rims black would complete the look.

[HM-2]

InitialDave said:

designforlife said:

Admittedly an SR20 would be a lot more practical/cheaper.

No, I mean I literally don't think it'll fit.

Might in transverse location (a la Pulsar)

[InitialDave]

HM-2 said:

Might in transverse location (a la Pulsar)

The Pulsar is an SR20 too, yes. He was suggesting the RB straight six.

[HM-2]

InitialDave said:

HM-2 said:

Might in transverse location (a la Pulsar)

The Pulsar is an SR20 too, yes. He was suggesting the RB straight six.

Ah, I missed the first part of the convo.
I don't think an RB would fit without significant...massaging.

[Digby]

Cheers for all the comments. Yeah, shame they didn't use a Japanese engine, but I'm no purist. I would have stuck my V70-R volvo lump in it probably!

Tried some 15's on it which are currently gold, but going black / anthracite in the middle or maybe even all over just to see what they look like. Might lower it a bit, too. It's on coilovers, so no problems there.

Snapped it next to my PAO..



There are several things to play with over Winter. I have swapped the dodgy Bosch 044 clone for a proper one (Hardly any rubber mounts and it was screaming!), tightened up a few things, made a few things rattle less etc. It needs rear arm bushes and a front wheel bearing for sure and some general tidying up. Custom exhaust and tank are well done, though.

I was a little concerned to see a manual rack but the PAS pump still in place with the hoses removed and the inlet/outlet left with a screw in blank and part of the hose just hanging. My first thoughts were that devoid of fluid, it would seize, destroy itself and tear the belt off.

I then did some searching to find a temp fix (such as filling and looping the fluid etc until I could sort removal) but it turns out that the issue was already under control. I read a post suggesting many people, to save messing about with belts and pulleys etc, drill a small hole in the PAS pump allowing you to remove the clip on rear, remove the internal blades, fill with oil, replace the rear part and leave it at that. This stops any pump pressure so the fluids stay within, but does enough to lube the mechanism so it should never really fail. I checked my pump and there was the hole. Now it made sense. I won't be doing many miles, so can live with that.

On the lift for fuel filter swap...




It's pretty quick; at least there is plenty to put a grin on your face. It also currently wooshes and stalls the turbo a little if you like such noises. I know many hate all that, but I still chuckle; even more so in something that shouldn't do it.

Darker wheel photoshop...




Not sure if they will stay on it, but they are better than what was on it.

It also came with some furry dice!



Will tidy this up a bit..



One of the coolest features I forgot to snap are the two sliders between the front seats. They are much like heater controls, but when you slide them back, the rear windows pop open!


Will get a few more shots when I get chance.

[Digby]

CoolHands said:

Not sure you need to worry about anyone cloning the plate

Force of habit!

It's uploaded in a few places with the plate in view (one on here I think!), I'm not too worried to be honest. I just used to do it to mine and everyone else's cars, so often still do.

[Escort3500]

Looks spot-on in the darker wheels pic

[cosworth330]

Not sure how I missed this at OhSoRetro. Looks great!
I’m all for trying to modernise cars like this to make them nicer to drive. I remember one of my ex girlfriends dads having a Datsun Cherry coupe back in the eighties and she would borrow it sometimes. It used to muller my then 1978 Fiesta 1.1 Ghia!

[InitialDave]

Darker/smaller wheels look good, normally I'd say go anthracite for colour, but I think it'd work well matching them to the roof.

[brianbelfast]

Fantastic. I bought an identical one on the 29th June 1983. Must see if I can hunt out some photos.

[Countdown]

Lovely car OP! My first 3 cars were Nissan Sunny B11s

A red Y-reg 1.3DX (YJA 240Y IIRC) where i destroyed the engine after a 600 mile round trip to Luton without checking the oil
A green A-reg 1.5SGL inherited from my older brother (which felt like luxury after the bare metal interior of the DX)
A blue D-reg 1.3GL inherited from my dad

My first one looked like this, except it had chrome bumpers rather than black plastic


Apart from suffering from the tin worm they were great to drive, mechanically reliable, and unstoppable in snow (skinny 155 13" FTW)