A quick look at the Nissan 200SX/ Silvia section of the PH classifieds confirms the suspicion that an unmolested example is hard to come by. From Rocket Bunny body kits, to Time Attack builds, and even a V8-engined drift car, the 200SX continues to hold appeal as a platform on which petrolheads can realise even the wildest of their Fast and Furious fantasies.
But what if you're looking for a more authentic example? Well that's where today's Spotted steps in. With bodywork in seemingly original condition, and not a bolt-on arch or carbon fibre splitter to be seen, it looks to be in fantastic shape. The engine is described as having recently undergone a "massive overhaul", but that work was assumedly restorative rather than enhancing, given the ad makes no mention of any performance gains and there doesn't appear to be a giant intercooler poking out from behind the bumper... It even has its original wheels, which can't be said for many 200SXs.
Even without modification, though, the 200SX ought to be an enjoyable daily driver. With 200hp going to the rear wheels and a 7,500rpm redline, it's not hard to see how the combination of a 1,316kg kerbweight and five-speed manual make those numbers into a fun way to get around. After all, there's a reason why it's favoured as a starting point for so many tail happy antics...
This particular example may have over 100,000 miles on the clock, but with that recent work done, an MOT, and plenty of documentation, it's £4,500 asking price doesn't seem too unreasonable. The ad is honest about the presence of a little rust on the wheel arches, but even offers to take that into consideration should it not be fixed by the time the car is sold. Sounds like a true PHer. Aside from that, the only blot on the car's copybook is the lack of an interior photo, although given the external attention to detail you'd have to imagine things are pretty tidy inside as well.
All of this assumes, of course, that the next owner will be interested in the car in order to preserve its originality. There may well be more than a few out there with an eye toward a solid foundation on which to base their own project. That would seem a shame, though, given how few untouched examples remain. But then again, they say a species has to evolve or die, and within the genus of turn of the millennium Japanese coupes, few cars have proven better at adapting to their surroundings than the 200SX.
SPECIFICATION: NISSAN 200SX
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, LSD
Power (hp): 200@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 196@4,800rpm
MPG: 29.1
CO2: 233g/km
First registered: 2000
Recorded mileage: 106,000
Price new: £22,000
Yours for: £4,500
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