1978 DATSUN B210 INCREDIBLE SURVIVOR (SOLD IN 2015)

[@adamsea85]

That was my car in college! Drove it back and forth through the desert from The Bay Area to Provo Utah many times. Never let me down. Amazing gas mileage. Mine was blue and had the GX trim. I called it the "Blue Rocket." I used to pretend that it was fast. I convinced my little brother that it had nitrous that was injected into the carb by moving the toggle switch on the non-working AC. I loved that car.

[@elle5031]

I had a 1970...something Datsun B210 hatchback...bright orange...Loved it. You're bringing back some really far gone memories.

[@jesdadotcom]

My dad had one in the 80s. I hated it. Its amazing to see one in such perfect condition. Thanks for sharing!

[@dansodorxbfan7076]

This brought back fond memories, my sister bought one used and in 1986, then passed it from family member to family member. This car was incredible reliable and probably the best car I ever owned. I easily exceeded the 40 mpg in mixed driving. It was so simple it was awesome. I loved the rear wheel drive the ability to toss it around, running it at high speeds. It tolerated abuse, was hit by a big rig when parked received only minor bumper damage. Excellent off road too. I had to replace a couple of clutched that was it. I'd it hadn't rusted out in 1997 I would stillbe driving it, 400k miles easily.

[@cesar604xfm]

My dad owned this car but in blue, it was his first car and he kept it for decades. It was even the first car I was ever in, but we had to sell it around 2003, dam I was so sad I need to get one of these some day. Thanks man brings back memories

[@csmolko]

Nice job keeping it in this shape. Last year my grandfather passed away and my husband and I inherited his green 1980 Datsun 210b station wagon, it has 28,000 original miles, no work done, great condition, never seen a winter, not an ounce of rust. It also has all of its original sales receipts and all original service receipts. The A/C is not currently working but something we'll fix this summer when it's out of "hibernation". It's from Baltimore MD and now resides in Buffalo NY.

[@billyminder6249]

I drove one of these all through high school. Beat the snot out of it, dropped the clutch with the gas pedal floored, ran it topped out on the highway (would only do like 95) and it never missed a beat. It was terrible in the snow, and it ate speedometer cables like candy. But other than that it was a great little car.

[@perrydasavage]

Had a 74 B210 and an 81 210 ... thanx for the memories! And congrats on owning such a pristine vintage Datsun!

[@tterry1954ify]

Is this car still 'alive'? Wow, I purchased only three new cars in my entire life, first one was a 1978 Datsun B210, I lived in Southern California at the time and enjoyed the car very much. No AC, AM/FM only loved that car. I eventually put 150,000 miles on it before I moved 'back home' to upstate NY where I sold it. Thanks for the GREAT memory. Tom

[@j6sj7]

My 1st car - a '75 B210 2dr sedan, white, blu int, AM/FM, AC and tach! The Datson "factory" AC was a hang-on under dash unit that worked fine but I'd shut it down when I needed to take off in traffic. My parents paid half for my college graduation. I looked at the VW Rabbit but at $3200 this was WAY nicer finished and better equipped! It was one of the last cars available that would take (cheaper) leaded gas. Wish I still had it. Thanks for the tour of ur beautiful "Bee!"

[@ericgeorge5483]

I remember when the Datsun 120Y appeared in the UK in the 70's. Nearly all British cars of the time were totally unreliable, and dreadful to start on cold mornings yet these were EXCELLENT with lovely styling and ran beautifuly.

[@AlexR604]

Loved the ones I had. Was on hard times at the time and bought it for $400. Beat up, but never left me stuck any place and got 30+ mpg. Easy to work on. Need more cars like that now. Now I wish I never sold it. Should of just restored it.

[@SSplashh]

OMG!!! this model was very very very popular car here in Dominican Republic years ago. Congratulations, your machine is a window to the pass.

[@baf7363]

THIS was the first car I ever owned. - Same year / Same wonderful orange color. I fell in love with it on the lot (I was 18).. I didn't know how to drive a stick... but I named it (its a girl thing... She was Dottie the Datsun), bought it and the dealer had to drive it home for me! I learned how to drive it the next day. Sadly I never took photos of her.. so your video is such a joy for me to see :-) thanks

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for kind compliments and for watching my video. Peace to you and yours as well.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliment, and thank you for watching my video.

[@gabberflunz]

Thanks for making this video! What a treat.

[@ComicalCowboy1911]

Sir I just wanted to congratulate you for owning the nicest B210 in the country! I can't believe it myself that a car this old looks like it's been completely restored, when it hasn't! Well done video! =)

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you again for the advice. Considering that we drove it a total of 250 miles in 2008, and it now has only 19,000 miles. (A) Finding a used drive shaft in better condition than the one currently in the car is already nearly impossible. (B) Considering our yearly driving habits with this collector car, and making a projection into the future when it is 50 years old, it will still have only 25,000 actual miles. Thank you for watching.

[@trevorwel]

Stunning car.........wow. You video has left me sentimental for my old B210 (it was my first car). Thanks for posting.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind comments, you are also very lucky to live where you do. I love Colorado. I have been to the Fairplay, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Colorado Springs areas many times over the years.

[@bobfather99]

Jim, My aunt had the same car when I was a kid, hers was chocolate brown, same hubcaps. She drove it forever, until it just fell apart due to rust... Bob Hobart, Indiana

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for watching and your comment. (A) As it lives a pampered life in climate control and occasional pleasure driving. it will not be subjected to "highway" or Interstate use so the five speed will not be necessary. (B) We are keeping it original.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Same rust situation here in the USA. The Desert Southwest cars may have escaped the rust but the sun burns-up the interior, the trim and rubber parts. In the Midwest, there are almost none of these left. They have all rusted away. Thanks for watching.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for kind compliments and for watching my video. Sorry for the loss of your beloved car. I hope that some day you will find one to replace it.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliment. You are the only person to contact me with another low mile 210. I was sure that certainly some more were out there, but there must not be more than a handful. It is very cool that yours has A/C. Jim

[@maidenrulz73]

my parents had the exact car when i was a kid...color and all.....my father says it was one of the best cars he ever owned...what a survivor!!!

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliment! We love our little antique Datsun.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliment. After almost one year on KZbin, no one has yet to challenge your observation. Yes, I suppose I do have the nicest original one on Earth. Thanks for watching.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliments and for watching my video.

[@jims59DOTcom]

I am happy that you enjoyed the video, thank you for the kind compliments. Thank you for watching.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Hi Bob, The homes of these two cars were not far apart. Until last May, mine lived it's entire life in Etna Green Indiana on US30 East of Hobart. Small world. Thank you for watching.

[@livindalife08]

Nice video thanks for sharing. My first car was a Datsun B210; greenish sea blue in color and I purchased it between '84 or '85. It wasn't in mint condition but it was mines and it took me through some rough times. I can still remember the day they came and took it away...I was so sad because I wished I had the money to fix it up and keep but I had a young baby to care for. Anyway, great looking car and thanks for sharing.

[@scarnell]

I drove one of these when I was in high school! I miss that little car...

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliments, It's a pleasure to share the car with the KZbin world..

[@JoeBob1955]

I think this is the first one I've ever seen without any dents! I had a '75 from 1988 to 1990, had dents all over it, got the best MPG of any car I've had except for my Geo Metro. Still remember riding with my wife, going to Vegas, dozing off in the passenger seat, waking up to see the speedometer needle pegged at 100!

[@itsmegp46]

I owned one of these cars for a few years. What a POS! I loved it! Living in snowy (and winter salt) northern NJ, the body literally disolved around me.

[@itsmegp46]

@jims59DOTcom I bought this car shortly after I got married. Between commuting to work, errands, trips, etc. if memory serves we racked up over 40,000 miles the first year. What a beast.

[@gli7utubeo]

It's amazing how many of them came in that unique Datsun orange color. I had the hatch B210 in that same color scheme in '77.

[@03hondacivic]

I got a 1977 Datsun B210 Hatch Complete Original as well and It looks just as clean as yours but mines has 22k miles... Its been on NON-OP since 1984 and just sits In the shade, Not a crack on the dash or a stain, rip etc... Keep the car clean...

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for kind compliment and for watching my video.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliments and for sharing your Datsun story. Cars can be very much like a pet, we are often sad to see them go. Thank you for watching my video.

[@carmelo1966]

Wow amazing car back home Japanese cars are like an american car You got to have one. I have seen many old Datsun's but not like this one. I hope you enjoy this car and take care of her she is a beauty.

[@kippaseo8027]

My teenage brother had one of these in the early mid 1980s. I was just a little kid maybe 4 years old and when I got to ride in it I always had to sit in the front seat because anyone heavier than me would cause the seat backs 2 collapse backwards. My brother literally had a baseball bat wedged between the rear seat back and the front seat back to keep his seed from going backwards. I remember riding with him once in the front seat while his two big football teammates sat crammed in the back and to one side as to not disturb the baseball bat. This was an awesome video and felt good to remember such a funny piece of my history. LOL

[@BobbieBees]

My father had one of these in Edmonton Alberta. When he was posted to CFB Downsview in Toronto we DROVE across Canada in it. My father, my step mother, my brother, me and our samoyed. And if that wasn't enough, my father was towing a trailer with two motorcycles and our bicycles.

[@stuffandthiification]

This is so cool. My parents bought one of these in this EXACT paint color. My sister and I drove it in high school and college. I miss that car.

[@jims59DOTcom]

I wish mine were the hatchback model and had more options. But it is cool in it's "basic transportation" simplicity. Thank you for the kind compliment and for watching my video. Jim

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliments, and thank you for watching. I agree with everything you have said.

[@Jsfycf35]

you can still believe it or not find these vehicles easily. I recently bought a 1978 Datsun b210 gx 5 speed hatchback for 400$ 69000 original miles. body's straight but clear coat is peeling

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for watching and the kind compliments.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliment, your enthusiastic support of my eclectic collecting habits, and for watching my video.

[@HelloRoad]

Very nice! Looks quite a bit nicer than my B210 :)

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the compliments and thanks for watching.

[@cpkelley]

My parents had the same car but an automatic with an AM radio (they later mounted an FM converter under the glovebox which was a big-to-do at the time...wow, FM radio!). They had it 9 years until the head gasket went and the engine seized. This car didn't like going up hills, but lots of good memories seeing this vid.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you the kind compliment and for watching my video. For sure, this one will live on for future generations to see. It is now covered in cotton in climate controlled storage for the winter. As the time goes by, I grow more fond of it. It's kind of "goofy cute" and just looking at it is a window back in time.. Driving it is an absolute blast!

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the compliment and thank you for watching.

[@jims59DOTcom]

It was this clean, the math. 19,000 miles in 30 years = an average of 633 miles per year. The fact that it was always in a heated garage is why it is so nice. The nephew , said the Datsun never left the garage unless his Aunt was driving it. It never sat outside in the driveway at any time as she had a side door into the kitchen from the garage, so this is how she came and went. Pretty cool how every once in a while a car gets preserved in this way. Thank you for watching my video.

[@alwayscode390]

Very neat... my friend had one when I was growing up for his first car ... 11 years ago ---

[@1955darcy]

My mom had one of these, it was a good little car too. I remember that it was a light blue in color and of course stick shift. This one in the video is real sweet looking. love it

[@LonLofgren]

It looks just like the one my Dad drove here in Tucson! Even the same color! Sweet! I drive a '79 Subaru Brat that SO not pristine! It's still a blast to drive!

[@Spaceman042]

Great car and nice films. I've just put up a film of my 1978 120a but I had to restore mine, which was fun but I just wish I could find something like this. As you say it's like going back in time and getting one new, something that is almost like a dream. Hope she lasts a long time.

[@Edricofifrit]

I had one of these heaps.. When I got it, there was TONS of stuff wrong with it and couldn't possibly pass safety inspection.. A couple months and a few bucks later she was running decent, tagged and inspected and was probably the most fuel efficient cars I've ever had. God I used to abuse that thing too. Doing donuts until the clutch would temporarily stop working. Lots of good times had in that car

[@joh2]

Nice to see one of those in a good condition - unfortunately that model and rust did not mix too well. Here in New Zealand, there are still examples of B210s (they were known as the Datsun 120Y here) running, mostly the 4-door sedan variety. The replacement model, esp the facelifted 1980-82 versions are more common...

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliments. Yes, we take very good care of her. For the winter, she is sleeping in a climate controlled environment covered in cotton. In the spring, she will be driven on sunny days and will go to some car shows in the summer time. Thank you for watching.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I had a B210 1977 5-speed fastback for years...best car ever had when was younger. The electric choke was only part it ever needed. Got one at Hillside auto salvage for $5 Hillside is now Pick-A-Part , one of many. Having the 5-speed mine got 43 real MPG.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Yes, We have received messages from many Datsun enthusiasts in the USA and other countries. It seems we may have the nicest one that remains. At least there are no more than a handful remaining in this original condition. Thank you for the compliment and thank you for watching.

[@sergionuno]

My dad used to have one like this, his was the 1974 metalic blue, with aloy weels, i learn to drive in the Datsun, i love it, and btw, i was born in 1978.

[@shakilnasir3829]

Amazingly , very tidy and very clean car.

[@tomwebber9377]

Using the stats provided in this video, the average annual income in today's dollars would be $59,800/yr. The cost of gas, at 62 cents, would be $2.46/gal. It's always interesting to put these things in perspective. I don't know what the car cost brand new in 1978 but assuming a price of $3800 would make the car price today roughly $15,500.00.

[@robwessling446]

Beautiful little Datto, great find!

[@lexburen5932]

great little datsun, and they are SO easy to work on :)

[@jims59DOTcom]

Very cool! Thank you for watching.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the inquiry. For now, we are keeping it. We are proud of our collection of obscure survivor autos and this one is as rare and unusual as it gets. After four months on KZbin, and six months on our website, we have received no messages from anywhere in the world that would indicate that there is another example of this car in this condition. At this time, it seems plausible that we have the nicest one in existence. Thank you for watching.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Yes, this was built during the early USA (5mph bumper) era and is actually better looking than many autos of this period. During this time, most manufacturers were struggling with this technology to pass the government impact tests. Many USA made autos are very ugly with huge bumpers. In this era, there are some atrocious (USA version) bumpers on imports such as XKE, XJS, Mercedes, DeTomaso Pantera, and European Sports cars in general. Thank you for watching.

[@sillysillytom]

I do miss my B210 as well. That is beautiful. If I ever win the lotto I'll look you up and see if you want to sell it :-)

[@teNpac47]

@jims59DOTcom You are absolutely right because "The Long Run" came out in 78 or 79 I remember rockin that when I was stationed in Panama in 1979!

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliment. In honor of her original elderly owner who passed away in March of 2002, her name is "Doris". Thank you for watching.

[@jims59DOTcom]

@itsmegp46 You are correct, same thing here in Indiana. The rust mites have taken 99.9% of them and returned them to basic elements. This is the simple reason why I own the nicest one left on earth.

[@cliffwilson8027]

bought a 1975 B210 hatchback new at Kickert Datsun in Harvey Illinois. Forest green, the day before I was to pick it up, someone broke into their yard, and jumped over a fence and landed on roof. They scratched it up pretty good, and because it was so new they couldn't match the paint correctly. They put a cream colored vinyl roof on it to match the interior....man was it sweet

[@ronzilla3000]

very lovely car. its refreshing that its not another muscle car.

[@jims59DOTcom]

@arefvrgfd Thank you for watching and the kind compliment.

[@mewatch24fun]

I had the exact same car. It was factory blue. I put on a Weber carb and opened up the euhaust. Painted a derker pearl blue. I swear it was the nicest looking B-210 I have ever saw. Until now, that is. Mine got stolen while out to eat for my sister's birthday. Never saw it again. Too close to Mexico most likely.

[@sunilayya8948]

We had these cars in Sri Lanka where roads are really punishing and they were super tough and ran without rattles or shakes on the worst roads. They were definitely tougher than Corollas of the day.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the compliment.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Hi, I have received encouraging messages from all over the world. You are probably correct. I may have the nicest original unmodified example that exists. Yes, I have also added the CD player. But mounted under the dash and the speakers are the type that are in triangular plastic housings and they lay on the back seat. This way, I did not cut holes for speakers and did not disturb the plastic radio delete cover plate on the dash. Thank you for the kind compliments and for watching. Jim

[@jims59DOTcom]

@JesdaG Thank you for watching.

[@earworm]

My mom had one of these cars, I'll never forgot the hubcaps, i was 2.

[@the13joker]

what a classic. and yes its the nicest and newest datsuns on earth. maybe nissan would buy it for their museum ??? peace out.

[@jims59DOTcom]

muchas gracias amigo

[@kendrickkelly2336]

My two older brothers and I called our yellow Datsun B-210 hatchback with honeycomb wheel covers "The Deathmobile..." Because it was handed down from oldest-to-youngest with zero repair or maintenance. By the time I got the damn thing as a teen...The brakes were shot...And I remember flooring the brakes down a steep hill towards a red light intersection. The brakes were mush. I just white-knuckled coasted through said red light intersection right through green light traffic. UGH!

[@jims59DOTcom]

This KZbin web page is for the enjoyment of automobile enthusiasts. It is not a message board for verbal abuse, obnoxious opinion, derogatory comments or vulgarity. Users wishing to do so are invited to go elsewhere. Inappropriate posts will be deleted and blocked. Thank you to all who use this website for the purposes intended. Best regards to fellow hobbyists, Jim

[@jims59DOTcom]

November 27 2008. I don't pretend to project to the viewing audience the fact that this car is valuable. It is not my personal belief that it is valuable simply because it has a very limited collector appeal. But it is extremely rare and appeals to my eclectic taste in vintage autos. To begin driving it now would be a crime to the generations in the future who will see this only example. Hopefully, at some point it is destined for permanent display in a museum. Thank you for watching. Jim

[@strakill]

That would be awesome to cruise in that car. I haven't seen one of those in probably20yrs.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Thank you for the kind compliment. It is difficult to establish the value of something that is the only example. I suppose it is worth what someone is willing to pay?

[@hindflight]

These cars were very reliable. The japanese were trying to establish a foothold in the American market by producing affordable, reliable vehicles and definately accomplished just that!

[@undertow427]

Sweet car............... my brothers first car was one of these. I've been trying to find one ever since.

[@jims59DOTcom]

@Seattlecarnut Interesting comment about the finest surviving original Datsun B210. A "survivor" is something that hasn't been modified and displays in it's entirety an as-built representation of a specific item. No one in their right mind would change the color nor repaint a survivor of this caliber. In addition, color changes on Japanese autos are extremely difficult as the body color is found not only on the exterior, but inside the interior, inside the trunk, and everywhere under the hood.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Yes, around here Datsuns are remembered for their tendency to prematurely RUST... I remember that they seemed to be very good cars mechanically, but the corrosion problem was severe.

[@N1XVAN]

beautiful im doing one up now its seen better days but id hate to see it scraped

[@youtoobe169]

When you had this car, did it have the scrape/dent on the passenger side rear, in back of the rear wheel? I can't tell from this video.

[@jims59DOTcom]

Yes, there was a scrape/dent there.