1973 Datsun 260C – Classified of the Week

We still have the saloon car today, but the reality is that it’s a dying breed. The modern car market is alive with a seemingly insatiable need for SUVs and so on, and as such, the saloon’s days are probably limited. And that’s something of a shame, as the saloon used to be something special. Certainly, it was a revelation when manufacturers started building cars with large rear ends. It was a status symbol, it made the car bigger and more imposing. As such, the saloon found favour as executive and luxury transport the world over – it still does via the likes of the S Class and 7 Series.  

While the saloon may be a less common sight on our roads today, that wasn’t always the case. Take the 1970s for example, when the streets were flooded with three-box cars from all manner of manufacturers. Of course, there were the British mainstays like Ford and Vauxhall, and then there were the executive Germans with the Mercs, the Beemers and the Audis. But that wasn’t all. The 1970s saw an influx of incredible tin from Japan. Big, luxurious, imposing machines that were stylish and incredibly well-built. Cars like the Toyota Crown, the Nissan President and of course, this, the Datsun 260S. It was a Nissan Cedric in essence, but with different badging and some small styling changes. It was also a damn handsome machine. 

Sadly, what the Japanese made up for with style and quality, they lacked in their ability to prevent rust. As such, these beasts from the East soon dissolved into nothing, care of our heavily salted roads. They were a rare sight on our roads in the ‘80s, let alone now, in 2020.

This beautiful 1973 Datsun 260S is here though, and we’re very glad of that fact. Though we must confess that we are cheating here somewhat, as this particular model was imported to the UK from a dry climate, hence its remarkable condition. Fitted with an L26 six-cylinder engine with 129bhp mated to a manual transmission, it’s the kind of car you jump in and command the road with. 

It looks to be in exceptional condition, with straight, clean blue bodywork, acres of chrome, a tan leather or vinyl interior and even a rear blind system! How luxurious. 

An exceptionally rare find, this is a classic Datsun worth owning and celebrating. Reliable, in excellent condition and rust-free, you simply won’t find another one like this. Pounce on it whilst you can, because this won’t be around for long. Especially as this 1973 Datsun 260S is priced at a mere £9,750. A bargain in anyone’s book.