Description
The Datsun SP 212 Fairlady, produced in 1960, was one of Nissan’s earliest forays into the world of sports cars and an important step in the creation of the Fairlady line that would later become world-renowned. It followed the very limited-production S211 and preceded the even rarer SPL 213. The SP 212 marked the beginning of more serious mechanical development for the Fairlady range, though it was still very much an experimental model aimed primarily at the domestic market.
The SP 212 was powered by a 1.2-litre E-series inline-four engine, which produced approximately 48 to 50 horsepower. This was a significant increase over the earlier 1.0-litre engine used in the S211. The powerplant was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission, and the car featured rear-wheel drive. Although performance was modest, the lightweight construction made for a nimble and engaging drive, suitable for the narrow, winding roads of Japan.
Visually, the SP 212 retained much of the design language introduced with the S211. It had a fiberglass body mounted on a steel chassis adapted from the Datsun 211 sedan. The styling borrowed cues from contemporary British roadsters, featuring rounded fenders, a simple oval front grille, and a compact, low-slung profile. The car had small, subtle tailfins and minimal chrome trim, giving it a light, uncomplicated appearance that was distinctive without being flashy.
The interior was basic and spartan, typical of small roadsters of the era. It offered two bucket seats, a small dashboard with basic instrumentation, and rudimentary weather protection in the form of a fabric soft top and side curtains. The focus was on light weight and open-air enjoyment rather than luxury or convenience. There was no radio or heater fitted as standard, and everything was kept as minimal as possible.
One of the most notable aspects of the SP 212 was its extremely limited production. It’s believed that only a few hundred units were built—fewer than 300—making it one of the rarest vehicles in Nissan’s early lineup. These cars were sold almost exclusively in Japan, with only a few examples known to have reached overseas markets. Because of this, surviving SP 212s are very rare today, and they hold considerable value among collectors of early Japanese sports cars.
The SP 212 served not only as a prototype for future Fairladies but also as a test bed for Nissan’s early efforts to develop an identity in the sports car segment. While it was quickly followed by the left-hand-drive SPL 213 and then the more modern SP310, the SP 212 holds a special place in history as one of the very first steps toward Nissan’s success in the global performance market.
Today, the Datsun SP 212 Fairlady is considered a historical treasure, cherished by enthusiasts for its rarity, simplicity, and its role in launching one of Japan’s most iconic sports car lineages. Its charm lies not in performance, but in the significance of its pioneering design and the glimpse it offers into the early ambition of a company that would go on to build legendary machines like the Fairlady 2000 and the Nissan Z-series.