Description
The Datsun 2000 Sports, also known as the Datsun Fairlady 2000 or by its chassis code SR311 (or SRL311 for left-hand drive models), was the most powerful and performance-oriented model in Nissan’s Fairlady roadster series. Produced from 1967 to 1970, it represented the culmination of a decade-long development of Nissan’s lightweight, open-top sports cars, and it became a serious competitor to British roadsters like the MGB, Triumph TR4, and even the early Porsche 911.
Under the hood, the Datsun 2000 featured a 2.0-litre inline-four engine known as the U20, an overhead cam unit that produced 135 horsepower in standard form and 150 horsepower in the Competition Package version. This more powerful option included dual Mikuni-Solex carburetors, a hotter camshaft, and higher compression. These figures were impressive for a sub-1,000 kg car and gave it excellent performance: the Datsun 2000 could accelerate from 0–60 mph in around 9 seconds, which was very competitive for its time.
The engine was paired with a five-speed manual transmission, a rarity in sports cars of the 1960s, which gave the car more versatility and better highway manners than many of its rivals. This gearbox added refinement and made the Datsun 2000 particularly suitable for both spirited driving and long-distance touring.
Stylistically, the 2000 Sports maintained the basic shape of the earlier Fairlady roadsters, with classic roadster proportions, a long hood, short rear deck, and chrome detailing. While it retained its upright windshield and modest dimensions, the 2000 introduced subtle refinements such as a revised grille, updated badging, and slightly more aggressive styling to reflect its more powerful nature.
The interior featured bucket seats, a full set of gauges, and relatively high-quality materials for its class. While not luxurious, the cockpit was well laid out and provided good visibility and driver feedback. Optional features included a wood-rimmed steering wheel, push-button radio, and tonneau cover, along with a removable hardtop in some versions.
The Datsun 2000 earned a strong reputation in motorsport, particularly in SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) racing in the United States, where it regularly beat rivals from MG, Triumph, and even Alfa Romeo. Its combination of reliability, performance, and sharp handling made it a favorite among amateur and club racers. The car’s front suspension featured independent wishbones with coil springs, while the rear had a solid axle with leaf springs—a durable and effective setup for both road and track use.
Production of the Datsun 2000 came to an end in 1970, just as Nissan introduced the all-new Datsun 240Z, which would become a global icon and signal the brand’s shift toward more modern GT cars. Though the Z-car series went on to define Nissan’s performance image, the 2000 Sports remains significant as the car that truly established Datsun as a maker of competitive, affordable sports cars in Western markets.
Today, the Datsun 2000 Sports is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Its rarity, performance credentials, and motorsport history give it a special place in the lineage of Japanese sports cars. Enthusiasts admire its mechanical simplicity, elegant design, and the way it challenged—and in many cases outperformed—its more expensive and better-known European rivals.