Description
The Datsun Fairlady SPL 213 was a very limited-production sports car introduced by Nissan in 1961, following the earlier SP 212 model. It was one of the final iterations in the first generation of Fairlady roadsters before the debut of the more advanced SP310. The SPL 213 represented Nissan’s growing commitment to exporting vehicles—especially to the United States—and it is most notable for being one of the earliest Fairladies to be officially exported in left-hand drive form.
The SPL 213 was equipped with a 1.2-litre E-series inline-four engine, the same basic unit used in the SP 212, but slightly tuned to deliver a modest increase in performance. It produced around 60 horsepower, which was a reasonable figure for a lightweight, open-top two-seater of the early 1960s. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission, a step up from the three-speed gearbox used in earlier models. This setup gave the car smoother acceleration and a better highway cruising capability, especially important for the American market.
In terms of design, the SPL 213 retained the fiberglass body first introduced with the S211 and SP 212. Its styling was influenced by British and Italian roadsters of the time, featuring rounded fenders, a simple grille, small tailfins, and chrome bumpers. The proportions were compact and low-slung, with minimal overhangs and a distinctive front-end design. The left-hand drive configuration of the SPL 213 distinguished it from its predecessors and indicated its export-market intentions, with the “L” in the model name standing for “Left-hand drive.”
The interior was very basic by modern standards. It featured two bucket seats, a simple dashboard with essential gauges, and very limited creature comforts. Soft-top weather protection and side curtains were provided, but the SPL 213 was intended primarily as a fair-weather leisure car. It was designed to deliver a driving experience rather than luxury or practicality.
Production numbers for the Datsun SPL 213 were very low—fewer than 100 units are believed to have been built, and most were exported to the United States. This makes it one of the rarest Datsun models ever produced. Its primary purpose was to test market interest in an affordable Japanese sports car abroad, especially among American consumers who were already familiar with British imports like the MG and Triumph.
While the SPL 213 had a short production run and never achieved widespread recognition in its own time, it played a vital role in the development of Nissan’s sports car identity. It directly preceded the SP310, which launched in 1962 and marked the beginning of the more modern and better-known Fairlady roadster series that would find commercial success in the U.S. as the Datsun Sports 1500, 1600, and 2000.
Today, the Datsun Fairlady SPL 213 is an extremely rare and significant collector’s item. Surviving examples are prized not only for their rarity but also for their role in establishing Nissan as a serious contender in the global sports car market. As one of the earliest left-hand-drive Fairladies, the SPL 213 represents a bold early step in Nissan’s export strategy and the origins of the brand’s sporting legacy.