Datsun 200SX

[Superbird McMonte]

My dad bought this car brand new in 1977, I was nine years old. I remember going to the dealership with them. 

I remember questioning why he wouldn’t buy the 280Z.  This car had a backseat, though it wasn’t much. As I grew, it became more difficult to climb back there. I was taller than anyone in my family. Eventually, he bought a 1990 Chevy Cavalier. I inherited the Datsun.  I drove it for about two years. Rust had taken over the car. It started to become unsafe to drive. It was a fast little car, it had the Nissan truck motor in it. It also had a five speed manual. I learned to drive a stick on that car. 

 The dealer installed the stripes after purchase. They also gave him a set of upgraded hubcaps. 

 The only plastic kits I ever found this car came from overseas. They are models of the Sylvia. That is the name of the same car in European configuration. To sell the car over here they had to add 5 mile an hour bumpers.  The front and rear bumpers are exactly the same.  

 I separated the taillight panel from the rear bumper and fabricated panel that goes in between the taillights and rear US bumper. 

The hardest part will be trying to create the new grill below.

This is probably one of my favorite cars that I’ve owned. I wish I could find one today!

[Snake45]

Kinda looks like something American Motors might have come up with, if they had lasted another decade or so. 

[espo]

This should be an enjoyable build for you. The kit your starting with looks to be of good quality and that will help. 

[Mark C.]

Since the last activity on this was over six years ago, I have to ask... Did you ever get a chance to finish this build?

I've always liked the styling of these cars, and was wondering if a kit existed, but it looks like a rare one.

Edited May 27 by Mark C.

[TopherMcGinnis]

Cool project! 

[Lunajammer]

If you're still on this project, or are bogged down by scratch building a '77 front end, it shouldn't be too difficult if you use photo etch railing from railroad or ship for the grill. Shop carefully or seek advice from railroaders about what size you need. I was able to shop a perfectly scaled grill PE from a well stocked hobby shop where I could visualize the size/shape I needed for a project.

[Superbird McMonte]

On 6/1/2025 at 5:51 PM, Lunajammer said:

If you're still on this project, or are bogged down by scratch building a '77 front end, it shouldn't be too difficult if you use photo etch railing from railroad or ship for the grill. Shop carefully or seek advice from railroaders about what size you need. I was able to shop a perfectly scaled grill PE from a well stocked hobby shop where I could visualize the size/shape I needed for a project.

It has been sidelined for a long time, but would like to get it going again! Thanks for the input!

 

[Ulf]

That it is your favorite car is really understandable, they had much of what we lack today, low weight. Curb weight 907 kg (2,000 lb), not even low power affects the driving feel when a car is so light.