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Now blogging over at Onemanmanyplans.com.au

It's been real, thanks Blogger! Hey thanks for checking out this page! After 10 years of posting here and over 600 posts, it's time to try something new at over possibly greener pastures. Which means you can now find me and all my random adventuring ways over at One Man Many Plans . 

Datsun returns! But don't sell your 240Z just yet...

Amazing news for those who enjoyed rides in Datsun's as kids - Nissan is bringing back the Datsun badge! Cue the choir singers, strike up the band and hand out the Jatz crackers and cheese! (Yes technically this is news from March but I'm still semi excited about this announcement in September..)

Welcome back!
Buuuuuut (and as buts go, Sir Mix A Lot will get very excited about this level of but size) before you start reliving your heady days with rides to school in mum's burnt orange 120Y, your mates first car the 180B or in my case my Dad's fondness for his British Racing Green 260Z, there are a few things you have to prepare for when Datsun finally makes it's rearrival in 2014...



YOU WON'T GET TO DRIVE ONE FOR A WHILE UNLESS YOU'RE RUSSIAN, INDIAN OR INDONESIAN...

Because that's where they're going to turn up first. Whether there's plans to expand to the US or Australian markets (where classic Datto's are incredibly popular) remains to be seen but unless you're good mates with an importer from any of those nations (unlikely) or really want to spend a shed load to get one over here (if here is a market not already listed), your chances are slim.

Out of curiosity I typed 'Indian Road' into Google Image Search to see what kind of traffic these new Datsun's would be up against. Behold:

Fun!

YOU'LL HAVE A CHOICE OF ENTRY LEVEL. AND THAT'S IT.

According to caradvice.com, you'll get more basic than bang for your buck: "The initial range is expected to comprise a number of inexpensive light and small cars and potentially SUVs to appeal to entry-level customers."

So no Z cars then?

No. None of these.
No big straight 6's then obviously?

Fat chance
Bugger.


IT'S FAIRLY LIKELY THAT THEY'LL HAVE AS MUCH SOUL AS SQUASHED LAMINGTON

Not much is known about the first model to roll out of the Indonesian Datsun Factory...but some car design artist gave it some thought and with a nod to some current Nissan and Renault models, came up with this baby:


Oh...
Plain, plain jane.

In fairness, some of the Datto's from my childhood did look like they lost in a vicious battle with the ugly tree in both design and performance but they did slowly earn something so many new cars lose out on (The Toyota 86 being a nice exception): soul, and to a lesser extent: Character.


Ugly as sin but anyone my age has so many fond memories.
Sure they've aged, but original Datto's have character

AND FINALLY, THE NEW ONE'S WILL PROBABLY NEVER LOOK AS GOOD AS THE RESTORED CLASSICS

(Basically an excuse to leave you with a whole heap of nice looking Datsun pictures. Enjoy!)






Still, welcome back Datsun. Nice to see a part of my childhood making a return :D

Does your Datsun not look nearly as schmick as the ones listed above? Maybe this will help: HOW TO RESTORE YOUR DATSUN Z-CAR. There's now hope for us all. 

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