A used Datsun Roadster is a fair buy when the chassis is solid, the engine matches the paperwork and the title number matches the car, because these 1960s roadsters hide rust under pretty paint. Nissan sold the Roadster in the U.S. through the late 1960s, as the Wikipedia Datsun Sports page covers. On Nov. 5, 2026, NHTSA recallsByVehicle queries for 1967-1969 Datsun Roadster / 1600 / 2000 model years returned no usable campaign list (the API did not find that vehicle), so run the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup.
Chassis and body
Check the sills, floors, outriggers, rear spring hangers and the battery box area. Look for filler, fresh undercoating and doors that droop. A lift inspection is worth the fee on any car priced as restored.
1600, 2000 and swaps
Early cars used a 1600; later cars a 2000. Engine swaps show up. Check the engine number against the paperwork and price a swap as a swap. Our Nissan recall check guide covers how to run modern VIN formats when present.
Gearbox, brakes and steering
Test for clean shifts and a clutch that bites smoothly. Check the brakes for a firm pedal and a straight stop. Steering should be free of big play; bushings and kingpins wear.
Soft top, hardtop and electrics
Ask whether a hardtop comes with the car and check the soft top for tears and a dry seal. Try every switch, gauge and light. Water stains on the floors after rain are a warning. Our classic car history guide covers thin service logs.
1600 vs 2000 and hardtop claims
Early 1600 cars and later 2000s sit in different price bands, and a hardtop can change the ask. Confirm the engine number against the paperwork rather than the badge. Sit in the car before you travel; the cockpit is small even by 1960s standards. Ask for close photos of the VIN plate and any body tags, and bring a magnet or ask the inspector to check for filler on the steel structure. On a long trip to see one, plan for a specialist who has seen a Fairlady before. Our Nissan 300ZX guide covers a later Nissan sports car, and our classic car history guide covers thin 1960s logs.
When to walk away
- A rotten chassis priced as a restored car.
- A 2000 price with no matching engine proof.
- A title number that does not match the chassis plate.
- A seller who refuses a lift inspection.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the chassis been rebuilt, and by whom?
- Which engine is in the car, and is it original?
- Does the car leak after rain?
- Has the title ever been branded or replaced?
Reading the history on a decades-old car
Do not expect a long service log. Records from the 1970s and 1980s were often never reported, so the report matters most for title brands, odometer readings at title transfers and registration gaps by state. A car that moved from a coastal or rust-belt state to a dry one may have been retitled; look at the dates and ask why. An approved NMVTIS check adds salvage and junk records from insurers and recyclers. If the odometer readings go backward or the car shows as exempt, ask for the paper trail before you price it. Our odometer discrepancy guide explains what those entries mean.
Private-sale paperwork
Most cars like this sell privately. Make sure the name on the title matches the seller ID, the VIN on the title matches the plate and the stamping on the car, and any old lien is released in writing. Our lien release guide walks through that step. Pay by a traceable method, get a dated bill of sale, and do not accept an open title signed by someone who is not present.
How to price it
1600 and 2000 cars, with or without hardtops, sell in different bands. Compare recent sales on Hagerty, then subtract chassis work.
What the report costs
As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.
On a car this old, read the report for title brands and odometer readings first; service entries are often thin.
Sources
- NHTSA recall lookup (API checked Nov. 5, 2026; no usable campaign list returned for 1967-1969 Datsun Roadster / 1600 / 2000 queries)
- Datsun Roadster, Wikipedia
- NMVTIS
- Hagerty (valuation tools)
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