Datsun Finn Ain’t Afraid Of No Blizzard
1970s Datsun 1200.
Despite it already snowing pretty heavily recently, my town was hit with something of a blizzard Thursday night. Where I had parked my cars were now two vaguely car-shaped snow drifts, and I spent my precious Friday morning minutes digging one clear so I could drive it to work. Snow ploughs were so busy they were nowhere to be seen in my neighbourhood, so it’s probably good I drive something named after a winter olympics host town.
But later at noon, what was it that I saw parked on the street? Why, a 1970s Datsun 1200 Finn. If the name is anything to go by, it too should be winterproof.
The 1970 Datsun B110 was known as the Sunny in some parts of the world, or as Datsun 1200 in others. Over here, for some inexplicable reason, the moniker Finn was tagged on; possibly to get some more sales in the country that had already accepted Datsuns in its heart.
Under the hood is a durable A12 engine, producing as much as 70 hp. That sounds like a good amount of poke for such a small and light car, and it’s probably a blast to drive – even with the characteristically vague steering, skinny tires and topply, narrow body of ’70s Japanese economy cars. The car is naturally RWD, and it would be interesting to see how it does in loose snow.
This Finn seems to be in excellent condition. There’s little visible rust, the panels are straight and the paint looks good. Even the chrome looks to be in top notch, with few dings. Green suits it very well, too. The wheel trims are random plastic ones, but as they’re slapped on to the winter wheels, the owner probably has a nicer set of wheels for the summer.
The plates on the car are probably originals, as back in the day Finnish plates were white on black and short. It’s also possible it’s historic-registered, but I don’t know of any historic car buff who would drive his/her pride and joy in such uncompromising weather; historic-registered cars are usually pampered and only taken outside for nice weather drives and possibly some polishing on a summer day.
But if it’s a good, straight, solid original with lots of life left, onward may it trundle in the tundra.
Note the Nokia tires. They didn’t always make just slow-selling phones, you know.
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That's one tough old beast. This and the Corolla defined the subcompact market in the US and put the Vega and Pinto out of their misery. They wore like iron and were reliable and economical. Amazing to see one still being pressed into service, even if it deserves a comfortable retirement by now.
How cold does it get in that part of Finland? Depending on an antique would make me nervous in the -30C temps going on outside my door right now.
It does drop to -30C if it's properly cold, but this winter hasn't yet seen such temperatures. We've hit -15C recently and right now it's more snowy than actually really cold here.
Those Datsuns 1200s might be winterproof but they sure aren't rustproof, at least if my years of observation on the Florida coast are accurate. I had a friend in high school who drove a '73 1200 automatic that looked much like the featured car except for the orange color – it might rank as one of the slowest non-diesel "real" cars I've ever experienced.
I spent several of my formative years riding around in the back seat of one of these. Can't tell you the last time I saw one on the road.
I bought One of these for $30 and drove it hard, really hard. It might of been the biggest beater I ever had. But as hard as we tried it wouldn't die. We'd rev it up till the valves floated, often shifting out of first at 30 mph. The motor just kept going. The thing was a real beast, the top hinge was broken on the drivers door and the door kinda fell off as you opened it. It really was amazing, I sold it to some girl I knew for what I paid for it, maybe I made $20, but it sure brings back memories.
I don't get the point of those exhaust gas deflector thingies. Someone put that on, took a step back and must have thought that it was a genuine improvement to the look of the car. Maybe it's the secret to the amazing condition this car is in. Like the zinc blocks on ocean going ships.
For me, it looks like an armchair leg shaped after a lion's paw or something. Tacky, but period-correct.
Screw you it's bloody 22 Degrees Centigrade here (~70F)….and its 11pm!
This is also named after a Winter Olympics host city:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/1970_ford_torino_cobra_sportsroof_chiolero.jpg" width="500">
As is this (sort of):
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Ford_Cortina_KTO959E.jpg" width="500">
Now, how about cars named after *Summer* Olympics host cities- I can think of 4, plus 1 named after a future host city…
Funny, they don't look like a Saporo.
Couple of days ago, quite near to my home:
<img src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQ03Ybuy_kFltI54GqgFUL1rAO-gJ5e_SAufHS0n3ny0ZOFmS8">
Poor Škoda Roomster was parked so that strong northern wind + waves from unusually ice-free sea managed to produce this result. Owner was able to clear the car in no time and drive away, newspaper reported.
Carsickle. Just needs to be on a stick.
Wow! I got a '72 1200 the Summer right after high school. It was manual shift, bright orange , and didn't have a body panel that wasn't dented or dinged. But, man did it have nice, bright, shiny paint! With only two doors and tiny twelve inch wheels, it was quickly dubbed "The Clown-Mobile" by my friends and girlfriend. After about two years I traded it in an even swap for a huge '74 Chevy Monte Carlo with a 400cid Small Block. That Datsun remains one of my favorite memories and one of my past rides I wish I could have back!
dont u want to sell your datsun ..please mail me directly manieallie@gmail.com