Datsun vs Hillman...

[akku]

Three eBay lovelys. I'm tempted by all of them. Nice cheap daily drivers?

Here they are.

1. Hillman Hunter, clean as you like, 6900 miles on the clock, "possibly genuine". Have already recieved loads of photos from the seller, looks a peach no noticable rust and the cleanest strut tops ever. Reserve unknown.



2. Datsun Violet 140J, local to me, looks quite nice, small cosmetics but a growing list of electircal faults. Reserve unknown. Nice low miles (38K)



3. Datrun Violet 160J, up in Hull, but thats not too far for the right car. But makes you wonder when theres one more locally... Will the extra 200cc make much difference in daily use? No reserve IIRC? Also low miles car.



I presume the nose length is the same on the 140J and 160J (thinking of the obvious 200SX conversion for later LOL)

So... Which would you chose and why?

[tonycocacola]

despite the electrical faults i voted for the 140j.
looks more "together" than the 160.
wont take a lot to make it look good, wheels etc.

[akku]

The "proper" numberplates do it for me. I'm a sucker for sh!t like that. I agree it has a more "cared for" vibe. A mate had a Singer Vogue 1500cc same shape as the Hunter and I thought it was a great drive round town (never had it on the open road though).

[arthurbrown]

Yeah, mellow yellow loks the ticket to me too.

140J For The Vin!!!

[Lewis]

Oof, I've gone with the Violet 160J - to be honest the Hillman looks a bit 'droopy' at the front.

The reason for not going with the 140 (and this is personal) is that I've just been through buying a car that's cost me a small fortune to get ready for an MOT, and won't be able to drive it for four weeks now, at least, and still has minor niggles. Electronics, at best, are a right PITA to sort out, especially in classic cars.

As it's orange, stands out nicely too ;D I think you'd need to lose/de-rubber the bumpers and sort the detailing though, which, as mentioned, with the 140 wouldn't be such an issue.

Then again - it could just be a dodgy earth and you could be rolling low in the slow lane for peanuts! ;D

[HoTWire]

Will Datman says of the Yellow 140J :
"anyone who knows electrics could fix that in 5 mins, more likely to be a bad terminal on the ballast resistor than the ignition switch"


I'm tempted to say the Hillman,.. simply because I think it would look ace with a slammed to the floor Euro treatment

But once you've solved the 140J's leccy problems it should be relatively pain free motoring

[Lewis]

Well, sounds like a plan then! ;D

Which do you prefer - out of the box?

[penski]

140J, low, rims, polish, sorted.

*n

[akku]

Well, ideally I'd have an early 70s Corona or Bluebird, maybe a Laurel (love the look, not sure on the MPG).

But theres none available via the usual chanels. Fly in the ointment is that both the Datsuns would require separate insurance and thus cost me extra "wasted" money....

Anyone know of a 30+ year (1976 or earlier) Datsun/Toyota for the right money And DOC / TOC members want to check your club mag?

[rmad]

They all seem like good choices. Let condition and price make your decision.

[akku]

Oh, theres a tax-exempt Hunter on eBay now near me with the 1725 motor in it. Any one got any Holbay parts handy?

[ImpJimbo]

Have to stick to my Rootes

[jizzy gillespie]

ive gone for the 160j, cos its what i would have bought myself and theres no replacement for displacement ;D

ps orange cars rule. ;D

[akku]

I have a bid on this one. This is the 1725cc one, and has the delux walnut interior. Wooo.

Interior matches the exterior (turquoise vinyl).

Now how neat do these look on Rostyles. (answer, very)

A chap "in the know" with old J-Tin is looking out for me to see if there are any early 70s "coke bottle" shaped Datsuns about which might be suitable.

[daverapid]

impjimbo said:

Have to stick to my Rootes

GROAAN!! ;D

Careful..you might start me off on my Skoda jokes!

[ImpJimbo]

Sorry it was a very bad joke. Bit like Rootes really ;D

[spottedlaurel]

I voted 140J, as I've got to stick with my convictions in suggesting it earlier in the week. And it's a similar colour to the 240K I can see out of my window here. And it'd be cheaper tax.

Never directly compared them, but I suspect that the OHV A14 engine would be not much slower than the OHC L16, and may even handle a little better as it's a lighter lump.

In theory L-series engine opens up bolt-in options to you such as L18 and twin-carb conversions, but it's all getting a bit old-hat and either model would be just as suitable for CA or SR conversion.

Rather like Hunters myself, but I doubt they'd be as good a daily driver as a Violet, or indeed anything Japanese (I'm a mechanical imbecile, and it's all I've been driving for 12+ years now).

[Jenn]

Hunter because it looks real smart though I hate to hate to choose between them myself If you wanted the 160J looking at I live near Hull, could take my boy James and go have a peek, he loves the J.

[akku]

Cool. I'm thinking I might hold out until the Vauxhall is finished.... Rather than buy another "unknown " old car.... I must be getting sensible in my old age...