Datsun Roadster (1959 to 1970)

The Datsun Roadster, known locally as the Fairlady, carved out a significant niche in the Australian sports car scene between 1959 and 1970 as a reliable, high-performance alternative to traditional British and European convertibles. As the mechanical ancestor to the legendary Z-car, this series evolved through the 1500 and 1600 variants before reaching its peak with the 2000 Roadster, which featured a potent two-litre overhead cam engine and a five-speed manual gearbox—a rarity for its time. In the Australian market, these Japanese roadsters gained a reputation for outperforming contemporary rivals from MG and Triumph, offering superior build quality and a more engaging driving experience on local roads. Today, genuine Australian-delivered Fairladys have seen a surge in desirability, moving from affordable club racers to genuine blue-chip Japanese classics with a dedicated and growing buyer pool. Because many examples succumbed to rust or were heavily modified for competition, original and well-preserved cars are exceptionally scarce, ensuring their market value remains strong among collectors who appreciate the Fairlady's role in establishing Nissan’s sporting pedigree.

The Datsun Roadster, known locally as the Fairlady, carved out a significant niche in the Australian sports car scene between 1959 and 1970 as a reliable, high-performance alternative to traditional British and European convertibles. As the mechanical ancestor to the legendary Z-car, this series evolved through the 1500 and 1600 variants before reaching its peak with the 2000 Roadster, which featured a potent two-litre overhead cam engine and a five-speed manual gearbox—a rarity for its time. In… Read more