IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: 70s Datsun 120A Cherry F-11

Today's video features the 70s Datsun Nissan 120A Cherry F-II of which there are only EIGHT left in the UK!!!!
IDRIVEACLASSIC is sponsored and insured by Adrian Flux - check them out for your insurance quote on the link below: www.adrianflux.co.uk/classics...
Text to follow along if you're hard of hearing like me!
he 70s was one of the most interesting eras for motoring in my opinion. We start the era with voiceovers of the motor show declaring the ‘foreign invasion’ to be unexpected and almost amusing, with real distrust from the old guard and we end it with a wealth of cars across Britain which have fought hard to earn their place on people’s driveways and impressed even the most hard faced car buyer.
But is it all rose tinted specs and fond memories dulled by a vague half recollection of somebody’s brother’s uncle buying a dodgy Allegro or is the nostalgia for 70s Japanese stuff changing the market entirely justified?
Last summer we took out that incredible little starlet from the 70s and it really outperformed some of the smaller cars of the era.
Today we’ll do the same and see how the 120A Cherry stands up in the market at the time and how it’s survived through to today. As somebody who drives a 70s car daily, I’ll tell you what this is really like in comparison!
It’s also worth noting as we do the walk round that the nissan and datsun badges on this are both original - the Nissan Datsun crossover in the uk was a relatively slow process of a few years whereas I know in America it happened in one year - so that’s why this is dual badged from new - to get people used to the new brand.
The Cherry name was used for a long time, but the car we’re covering today is known as the 120A Cherry F2. The coupe was introduced in 1976 and the hatchback in 1977.
The Cherry F II Coupe was an exciting addition to the Datsun range and was marketed at a time where Datsun was the leading car importer in the UK.
The car was aimed, in Japan, at young couples or single drivers. In this country, it was stylish young people and somebody with potentially one child - you’d struggle to fit more than one in comfortably without an argument or two!
The Cherry hatchback was powered by an 1171cc engine, often referred to as a the 1.2 option but the Cherry of this era was also available to buyers in a 1 litre format in the UK. Japanese customers were fortunate enough to be offered an additional 1.4 option.
For Datsun fans, it’s the A12 engine!
The performance and fuel economy for the era was fair - it topped out at around 93 miles per hour and could achieve in tests around 40mpg.
The car has rack and pinion steering with servo assisted brakes and discs to front - this was pretty common by this stage of the 70s but at time of launch, there were still cars coming to market with drums all round from BL - although this wasn’t commonplace.
It was a front wheel drive car, which was I believe, one of the first for Datsun, having previously only sold rear wheel drive cars. Again for the era, rear wheel drive was quickly being replaced with front wheel drive by manufacturers who were looking ahead for emerging trends and desires.
The Cherry had a fully synchro box with 4 forward gears, which as you’ll see on test, is potentially one of the nicest 70s gearboxes I’ve had the pleasure of driving.
The suspension is independent front and rear with coil springs at front with damper struts with lower wishbones and anti roll bar. To the back, we’re working with trailing arms and coil springs.
The car retains original engine, gearbox and suspension so the test we get today is pretty fair and true to form.
Colour has been changed and is no longer a standard colour, but I think the new shade really enhances the car!
I should also probably mention that front scuttle is a period accessory from RGA - it’s not original at point of sale.

[@volvo480]

And once again you've matched your attire with the car. So unique, love it.

[@idriveaclassic]

Of course 😘

[@jmurray01]

Hats off to Charlie, what an amazing thing to do at such a young age! Bravo 👏

[@stusoldcars4248]

Had one of these many years ago as a runabout. Rust killed it but was super reliable

[@Epsilon1Zeta]

I seem to remember my Mum having a yellow Datsun Cherry back in the mid 1970s. So seeing a restored Cherry was a blast from the past! Well done to Charlie for taking on and successfully restoring such a great Japanese car!

[@dougfurniss734]

I loved my old datsun so comfortable, quiet and refined compared to anything else I'd driven before at the time

[@djphilmanns]

Good on him taking on a project at 12 years old. We need more of this for classics to survive into the next generation.

[@Howlingd0g]

I feel confident that the modern classics are in good hands now. In fact, much better than the generation of drivers who scrapped these or gave them to the great scrappage con and caused them to be so rare in the first place!

[@Howlingd0g]

@@insertnamehere5146 £500 really isn't that much for a 12 year old to save up if they put their mind to it. And I'm sure many of the restoration was done gradually, with the really expensive stuff such as the respray done recently when Charlie had an income to put behind it.

[@nicoandtheniners8763]

@@insertnamehere5146 hi this is Charlie, the owner. I bought it with my Christmas + birthday money combined, then I ‘worked’ for a family member (helped them at home for pocket money) and spent almost all my Christmas and birthday money on it for the next 5 years. I only finished the body in 2018 after buying it in 2013. 7 years later, it looks like this

[@insertnamehere5146]

@@nicoandtheniners8763 Hi charlie, thanks for the comment and the explanation. I am sorry if i caused offence, its just you can get cynical about these stories after being on the internet for 20 odd years. You did a great job on the car and I hope you don't sell it unless you really have to. I will remove my original comment

[@nicoandtheniners8763]

@@insertnamehere5146 no worries mate, I only get defensive because almost ever car meet and show I go to, I hear muttering of ‘daddy’s money’ because I have a shiny old car, got used to it though 😂

[@angelabotha2150]

Well done to the young man, saving and bringing the Datsun back to life, and to Steph for presenting the car. I'm still driving my Datsun 140y daily, now in its 40th year, so can attest to Datsun cars as dependable. Bought the car new, in the then Rhodesia, where it was assembled, and brought it down to South Africa upon emigration. Viva Datsun cars!

[@robinmobile845]

Brings a tear to my eye. World class. Kudos to the owner and presenter!

[@mattylamb9194]

yes, restoring such a rare and interesting car in the UK. I think European car manufacturers learnt a lot from Japanese cars of this era, (although not on how to rust-proof a car!)

[@jeremytravis360]

When Japanese cars came to the market they really kicked British cars up the bum. I learnt to drive on a Nissan Micra and it was a brilliant car.

[@Jk-oz5qn]

Which one the newer ones are french

[@paullacey2999]

Me too,gold Micra.Easiest car in the world to drive!

[@mariasnell6868]

Love the look of this car has some character not just a grey box .

[@eggy1962]

Back in 79 when i was learning i was driving a variety of cars marina, chevettes had a go in a mini then one day had opportunity to drive a 120y datsun wow worlds apart so beautiful to drive as stef mentions ...effortless... way better than uk cars at that point in time.

[@adrianmassey6673]

That dash and spec is light years ahead of the equivalent BL. I wonder if at the time the bosses of BL, Vauxhall seriously considered these Japanese cars a threat, or whether they just assumed no one would buy them

[@dennisrobinson7587]

Well done Charlie .You did a fantastic job. I love the colour choice.

[@morkelork4730]

The owner is really cool! I can really relate to him ( I’m 19, and i’ll never get rid of my first car, a Peugeot 205)

[@markmjames66mj]

Had a few cars, but my Datsun 120F which I bought 1984 was brilliant. I've still got a pic of me in my Datsun outside of a night club. Thank you for the memories x

[@jkk244]

Full kudos to Charlie for his huge effort in the restoration and the great results. And to do all that as a teenager! In the United States this was sold as the Datsun F10 coupe with the 1.4 engine. The Cherry name was never used in the US market. But we did get a estate version.

[@joedebattista7125]

Love the car, my total respect for the owner well done, please restore many more

[@qwertyasdfg8725]

Owned an F11 coupe myself in the late 80’s. Silver with a vinyl roof. Great fun to drive but rusted away before my eyes. Well done Charlie on a fabulous restoration.

[@zebedep]

This is truly remarkable and to think there's only a small handful left! Datsun's were bread & butter cars in the '70s & '80s and part of the furniture in the UK. I think it's great there are people out there prepared to rescue cars like this and make them look fantastic!

[@stevesrover]

Wow Charlie, that is amazing! I sense a future in car restoration and, as I've found trying to find one, everyone is booked up 12-18 months in advance!

[@idriveaclassic]

The car was just superb!

[@zzhughesd]

I literally cannot get enough of the colour and chrome. It’s beautiful in a 70s James Bond film way. Born 77 I do appreciate tho don’t remember on the roads these cars. I’m more Carina-e 405 309 generation. Oh the 80’s

[@julienbee3467]

Renault 19 and BX also

[@zzhughesd]

@@julienbee3467 Yup, it was a wonderous period, the 1999 Pug 206 then became as sharp a design as had ever been, what a MEH car the 206 is now CC apart, BX, C6, AX, hmmmmmm, tasty

[@edgarbeat275]

Looks like a miniature Citroen SM Charlie did a fantastic job. He's got a old school vibe about him. Very cool.

[@coenvandenberg863]

you need a bit of fantasy to see a sm in this car but it is lovely anyway...

[@929V6]

What I love so much about these little Datsuns is the gearbox whine. That really brings back memories of my childhood.

[@HQBProductions]

Well done to the young man who has put so much into restoring a fairly rare vehicle in the U.K. as most were eaten by dreadful rust problems. A common problem was the door mirrors falling off with rusted mountings. The thing that Datsun got very right was the engine and gearbox...beautifully made and to a standard far above anything from Europe at the time. So just keep that rust under control and the mechanicals will last a lifetime! Well done...and to Stef for a kind review! 🙂🙂🙂🙂Richard.

[@jonathangriffin1120]

My dad had a Cherry F-11 back in the eighties, it was the four door saloon version in metallic blue, (YYC 250S), it was the first and only 'foreign' car he had. He kind of liked it, but what DID impress him was the fact that although he was not the first owner, Nissan were having a recall and contacted him to tell him to take the car to Tor View Garage to have a little job done that he didn't know needed doing. His comment, " You wouldn't get that with a British car, after a twelve month you're on your own!"

[@Ratty_Rex]

Another interesting and great video. As for standard equipment..... BMW were still skimpy on their 3 series in the mid 90s!!!!! Steel wheels and radio (no cassette!) Only. 😱 The owner should be dead chuffed. That's a VERY well restored and researched car.

[@lucythemoggy1970]

i love how you choose your outfits to complement the colour of your test cars! a great touch. love the car too!

[@andyjohnstone5513]

She a lovely looking las nice and bubbley

[@5imp1]

Amazing how this car survived. These were everywhere when I was a kid in the 70s /80s. Nice classic, nice dress, beautiful woman. Love your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@manfacilitymetalworks1296]

That's a beauty. My mate had one as his first car back in the 90's. He hated it but I loved it

[@JJonCars]

Mini muscle car design, hats off to the lad, fantastic work. Great vid :)

[@horsenuts1831]

When you think about it, Ford actually made a 1300cc Capri. All show and no go (but probably thicker bodywork on the Capri).

[@jkk244]

Steph, your videos are so well produced. I really appreciate your detailed research about the car you are featuring, as well as giving us the perspective of what the automotive market was like that greeted it. Your extra effort really pays off for viewer. A big thumbs up.

[@domenicgaldo6290]

My driving instructor in the late 70`s had a Datsun 120y, which I had the pleasure of driving, and they were very popular with driving schools in my area of London.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

That's an impressive first time restoration from anyone, but a teenager!?! Mind boggling! We had two 70s Datsuns, a 74 B210 and a 77 280Z, which is still parked in the garage. The B210 was very economical, but the 280Z was love at first sight. Way better build quality than the American luxobarges that came & went during the malaise era. Wonderful video and absolutely accurate in describing buyers' being won over from initial scepticism to enthusiastic endorsement by the quality and value on offer from the Japanese.

[@markpirateuk]

I lived close to a Datsun dealer in the 70's, I remember how well they sold, way better than the British cars of the time. I have owned a 100A, a 120Y, 2 Bluebirds & a 180B. All were utterly reliable & good to drive, the only downside was rust, they were even worse than the UK cars of the time! Nice to see a sole survivor, I remember when there was loads of these on the road, I guess they all rusted away long ago :(

[@phillipevans9414]

It's hard now, to imagine the resistance to Japanese cars in the 70's, my dad bought a Toyota Corona in 1972, and his brother commented "what would you want to buy one of those toy cars for". Well that car served our family basically faultlessly into the mid '90's (as our only car initially, and as a second car from the mid '80's). Dad's brother meanwhile, always seemed to be having problems with his Valliant/Chrysler's that he had, and eventually joined the Japanese car crowd in the early '80's, by buying a Mitsubishi, and then couldn't believe how good and trouble free it was in comparison (he only ever bought Mitsubishi or Toyota thereafter). The Japanese brands were so clearly ahead of the rest of the world then in a way that I don't think will ever be repeated. Thanks Steph for another great review and video, from a very happy subscriber.

[@fruitychink]

I was one of the prejudiced who simply scoffed at Japanese cars in the seventies and rejected them in favour of Hillmans and Allegros . Big mistake !!!!!!!!! Great video Steph .

[@jh565bb]

True you could have at least gone for a triumph 2000/2500 or rover lol, although id say roots group made great cars, I have a 62 rapier and its got leaks now due to age, but the engine is responsive and its so well made.

[@adrianday8678]

I had one when I was 18, rusted so well. And then I rolled it fitted a graphic equalizer and pioneer seekers

[@neilmustow368]

Wow amazing surviving Datsun Cherry 120A hats off to the lad who saved this rare classic lovely looking interior

[@idriveaclassic]

He’s done so well! X

[@graemew7001]

I remember seeing plenty of these at the time, such a shame that so few have survived. Charlie has made a cracking job at tastefully restoring this one back to what we see here. I'd rather have this than a Marina Coupe as the never looked proportionately correct to me, the doors looked too small.

[@nistam]

My dad had bought this car in 1977. It was the 4-door version in blue sky color. That is the reason i love that color. My dad died in 1990 and in 1992 i started driving it. I got it crashed in 1997, not too damaged, but the cost of the spare parts was out of the question. Also some parts were not available and we had to replace it. We sold it as spare parts for 300 euros in 1998. Thanks for the memories.

[@mikewysko2268]

Enjoyed the presentation, the test drive, the1970's era clothing and meeting Charlie. Well done Steph!

[@jamie8030]

Smart looking classic and as always Steph, you look very stylish and colour coordinated! (:

[@davidhinkson8856]

Haven't seen one of these in years! Great job!

[@TheClockwise770]

What a great restoration Charlie. Congratulations on all that hard work. I had a metallic blue D 190

[@thefootballbanterer]

Great video really enjoyed it - always loved these little things since my dad brought one home back in the 70’s

[@gryfandjane]

Thanks for featuring this one, Steph! It’s quite the gem. I remember seeing these here in the US, but they’re quite rare today.

[@mattw8332]

Kudos Charlie. It looks brilliant! The colour is one of favourites. The interior looks quite contemporary and well thought out. The glove box cup holders and the driver's armrest are features that are ahead of their time.

[@alexandrecouture2462]

I love your review and this car looks like something fron the future! Nissans 2005 and older (no CVT rubbish) were so good!

[@6ettinold]

My Dad swopped our Austin 1800 for a Datsun 1200 around 1979. The Datsun started in all weathers and was a revelation. Datsun's were horrific rust buckets though. We went on our first foreign holiday, leaving the car at a wet Luton airport. I remember my old man couldn't believe how much it had rusted in a fortnight!

[@rodhili3946]

I like the way the grille mimics the dashboard. Excellent video as always.

[@KoopaXross]

Japan was super ahead of its time even in the 70s. Recently I discovered a 1979 Nissan Gloria/Cedric at a car auction. I got interested because of its look ad found out that the engine is actually not carbureted but has electronic fuel injection. I was mindblown finding this out. Seems like 1979 wasn't even the first year they did this but even the 1976 models. I bet there are more examples of fuel injected cars like this from the 70s in Japan. Compare to America where they were still doing carbureted cars a bunch even into the 90s. You can reasonably daily a 70s japanese car.

[@darrensmith6999]

WOW !!! This is beautiful that young man should be very proud (: Nice one again Steph (:

[@josephmifsud8261]

Beautiful car, and a great skill for a 19 year old to transform the wreck into this beauty. I had wondered about whether the front scuttle was original, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was. Sounds fab too

[@anthonytallarida4192]

Another awsome video Steph, keep up the good work

[@lanehogger1532]

Back in the mid 90s when I was a student I had a job delivering pizzas. We had a yellow S reg one of these as a company car. It took 20k miles a year of town driving really well. The mw radio that only played old songs was creepy tho.

[@seancooke4127]

Love that colour. Great dedication from Young Charlie. He has made this wee Cherry into a real cool car that seems to have swayed Steph's loyalty away from Tina the Marina towards Kerry the Cherry. Excellent. Outstanding coordination today.

[@Almera101]

Epic job Charlie! The new colour is smack on beautiful! Well done! Thank you for saving her from the crusher!

[@siralfgarnet284]

I had a 1977 cherry ,I drove it to Switzerland and back in 1984 on my honeymoon with no problems at all ,even great in snow going over the Alps .😘

[@johnobiro5202]

Charlie has done a great job on the Datsun. The Japanese gave the Brits a kick up the arse in the 70’s with their reliability and technology. I remember, that the Escort just had a piece of Tin as a Dashboard. The Japanese Cars were more comfortable as well. I had a Datsun Sunny, and I can honestly say now, that it was one of the Best cars I’ve had in my life. Today, I still run a 26 year old Japanese Car. The reliability is fantastic. Great Review.

[@VADOC02]

congratulations to Charlie and his excellent restoration, Really impressed with condition of the dash. In the US we had the F10. I worked as a parts manager/service manager at a Datsun dealership in the later 1970s to early 1980s, when these first came out. This was the era of successors to the 510 and B210 Ironically Steph mentions the heater, we had one particular car I remember distinctly that we never were able to get the heater working properly. Alas, the laws of intropy seemed much stronger in those days, they seemingly started to rust even before they were sold, and i recall most had their hoods repainted only after a few months. I have worked in various dealerships over the years, and I will say Nissan had the most logical part numbers of all. The first 5 numbers were what type of part it was, even number right hand, odd left hand, the last 5 numbers what series it fit, so you could look at part number and know it was a a right hand tail light for a 620 truck. also worked in GM and Chrysler dealerships and never found a pattern I don't know how many F10s are still in the US, haven't seen one for maybe 25 years But in some ways I'm still loyal to Nissan, my first car was a 510, now I own a figaro and for whatever reason three Paos

[@mikewysko2268]

Good attention to detail, tastefully updated body mods, wheels and love the color. Great looking Datsun Charlie!😎

[@volvo480]

My dad had a 1974 Datsun 140J Violet which was one step above this one and came with a 1.4 litre engine, 4 doors and RWD. I remember the Clarion radio and the reliability, unlike the previous Citroëns and Renaults my dad drove this one never broke down. Sadly, the car went to the scrapyard in 1983, completely rotten, its front wings were covered in polyester mats to keep them together. Hats off to young Charlie to keep this 120A F-II (they were sold here too) on the road.

[@c3vids_shorts]

Datsun 120 is a very popular car in Japan and Asia back then. 🇯🇵🌏 Very nice restoration 👍 Thanks for showing us 🙏

[@Snaptophobic]

Only eight left‽ Wow! I learned to drive in a 1978 bright yellow one, and then had my first accident in it after I’d passed my test.

[@michaelkeen5010]

A mate of mine bought a 100A Cherry in 1974, after fitting Dunlop SP Sport radials instead of the standard crossplys, he found the car fabulous.

[@robenglish416]

Really well done restoration, especially for someone’s first go! Dashboard looks modern. Remember a lilac one on the parking area where I used to live and I used to admire the looks and tried to read the speedometer through the glas what top speed it could reach! My dad looked at the next generation Cherry but I turned it down because of the backseat comfort (and wouldn’t want to be seen in a rice cooker!). My parents were very considerate but I think in retrospect that it would have been a great choice! Oh how my taste has changed!

[@artoodiitoo]

Man, at 12 I didn´t even notice some cars had 2 and some 4 doors :D Some serious god amongst boys this dude

[@Ricketik65]

Superb job, Charlie! That big front spoiler is not my taste, but the car looks brilliant.

[@edwinreid8355]

Wow, what an amazing job! I can vaguely remember some of these parked around the streets of Burntisland in Fife Scotland when I use to live there as a wee boy ( which was late 80's to early 90's ). Couldn't have told you they were former Nissan's like. Love Charlie's Afro too 😎

[@mikebull1972]

Great vid as always, and a fab example of the car! Howled at 'A mouse's dying breath on my leg'!

[@barryjackson8512]

Love it. I had one in 93 in gold with cherry bomb and Weber carb. That colour really sets it off.

[@cheapshotphotography5828]

Hi Steph Blimey I didn’t realise there were so few of them now. I remember these so well having started my apprenticeship in 1982 with Datsun. Everyone refers to this model as Cherry F Two, but it is intact an F Eleven. The previous model was an E Ten (E-10) The previous model was also front wheel drive and was available as a 1000cc as the 100A and 1200cc as the 120A (fastback) This was only of the easiest cars ever to replace the clutch on, it would normally take around 15 minutes or so ! They were very light and easy to drive and very popular in the day. The Japanese were and still are very good at copying ideas and and improving them. The heaters always used to work very well maybe a blocked matrix ?? The first car we received fully badged Nissan was the Stanza in about 1984 Best Wishes Tim

[@horsenuts1831]

Agree about the clutch. I changed mine in about 40 minutes as a complete novice with only a Haynes manual and a 12mm socket (still own the same socket set!). I then changed the clutch on my neighbours later model Cherry in just 15 minutes because I was now experienced. It was a phenomenally easy clutch to change, and could be done while sitting on the kerb.

[@pranksteraleks9066]

Hiya owner here, it’s actually officially F-2 funnily enough even though some dealers told employees to say f-11, I had it verified by Nissan after piecing together an original commercial using audio and video from different sites, I’ll upload it to my account now

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Excellent Review Steph, my dad had a cherry before I was born. And well done Charlie for a excellent project car when you were 12

[@mrstephenparryfromportsunl3111]

what nice job charlie did with him so young and also like videos u do steph working fitting your own cars take care steph thank u keep us all going with hard times we all had

[@extramild1]

Great cars for the time, my friend used to have but as we lived by the sea it rusted to nothing, he still drove it the scrapyard. He used to say you needed to follow it with a dust pan and brush.

[@GazzaView123]

Another good review, Steph! You were on some roads local to me, I'll keep an eye out for that little Datsun when out and about .

[@danielpothier9990]

That is a really nice car well done on the restoration (exhaust note, color, and overall style) and another excellent idriveaclassic.

[@simonbarnwell7787]

Well done Charlie , you've achieved so much already , fortune favours the brave , if i had been like you i would still have my 120 A f-II , i liked it's very cute and quirky mini American muscle car styling mixed with good economy and reliability , exciting little car at the time , yes Steph it was great to drive too , and thanks for bringing back the memories , the little muscle car bucket seats amused me too .

[@roblaycock9540]

Cracking video, bought back some wonderful memories of the one my gran had......

[@madsteve9]

Late 1980 we got a new Morris Marina 1700, 4 door saloon, in Snapdragon Yellow. My Uncle got a Datsun Bluebird GL Saloon with either 1800 or 2000cc engine. The quality and the standard equipment of the Japanese car !!! You couldn't hear any road noise. it was warm. The seats were comfortable in a fabric that felt more like Mohair. Cassette Radio with 4 speakers. Central locking. It p!ssed rings round the Marina.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

A young guy with great foresight. Imagine taking this on when you are 12. The dashboard is really pleasing to look at and everything you said is true. The exterior styling is an acquired taste, I think. At least it looks different and eye catching. Never seen one of these so thanks for the test 😊👍

[@andyarmstrong1493]

This looks brilliant. I had a 1976 120y loved it, so smooth, quiet.

[@jonminnella4157]

That is restored to perfection you have a special talent young man you should make a serious on restored projects

[@vincentiusx]

What a great restoration. Very well done by the (young!) owner.

[@chrispenn715]

Love the colour! Similar to the Dacia Duster I've just sold! When these were new, i wouldn't have wanted one - but it looks fab now and I'm jealous. Great job on the restoration too.

[@jonathanmorrisey5771]

Steph, in the gauge cluster segment, you mentioned the BRAKE lamp was the only one that appeared to be working. The rest of the lamps were blanks for use in other markets. Here in the U.S., two additional warning lights were the required FASTEN BELTS and LOW FUEL.

[@grayfool]

Charlie, you the man! Brilliant job. I remember the heaters being pretty good in most Japanese car of the time. Maybe it needs a bit of tweaking.

[@randolfo1265]

This was one of the first front wheel drive cars that I ever saw in Canada. It was not called 'Cherry' What a beautiful restoration! Crack-on Charlie, there must be a secure future for you in car rescuing ! ! !

[@p24hrsmith]

The Japanese in the 70's made excellent cars out of very poor materials hence so few have made it this far. I think this was actually the plan to give excellent service but for a limited time as they only had to impress the buyers not the person who got it secondhand

[@spankysmp]

Rock on Charlie (and Steph for the vid) What a beautiful, beautiful car.

[@davidconnolly292]

Fantastic looking car! Great video, thanks Steph

[@iandodd14]

Great job Charlie. I remember the heaters being really good so perhaps it's partially blocked. Try back-flushing the matrix, that sometimes works.

[@gc5384]

Love u steph as a person your fashion choices and videos are always great

[@robblair3703]

This car looks epic

[@oliverbrookes27]

My grandfather bought his first Datsun in about 1977, a Laurel 200L. Everyone thought he was mad, but his Ford Cortina bought brand new was rusted through after 18 months and he was p'd off with British 'quality'. His son's father in law had a 280c estate (twin rear wipers!) and he knew what good cars they were. He was still buying Datsuns/Nissans decades later. First car I drove was his 120Y in the early 80s, I then learnt in his late 80s Sunny. Alongside the Mark 1 Fiesta I also drove it was like chalk and cheese, especially the clutch and gearbox, the Datsun was smooth as silk. He had a late 80s Bluebird which did almost 150,000 miles with nothing but normal servicing.

[@Lot76CARS]

Great restoration, great video, thanks

[@martinevans1256]

Great review and what a lovely car top job again Steph

[@williambaird6276]

Another great video..Excellent memories..Thank you...😎🇬🇧🛻🇯🇵

[@jamescrainjr1388]

Good job again. Japan really had a handle on the small car, even way back then. The more cars you drive, you start to establish a baseline for what each make had going for it. excellent color coordination by the way hun. keep going!

[@kc0lif]

nice car. you always show the good stuff. my first was a 1980 datsun 210 hatchback 4 speed manual. England and Japan use same side of road.