Chassis No. SRL31100455
Engine No. U20 00998

Years before Japanese manufacturers established a serious presence in the American market, the Datsun 2000 Sports was turning heads on the road and race track. Offered as a reliable and budget-friendly alternative to its American and European contemporaries, it paired a lively 2.0-liter SOHC inline-four with front disc brakes, an independent coil-spring front suspension, and deep padded bucket seats—an irresistible formula that attracted aspiring racers, including Paul Newman. The SRL311 generation introduced in 1967 further supplied the Datsun Sports with innovation, notably equipping it with a sporting five-speed manual transmission—rare for production cars at the time. Datsun built approximately 700 examples between March and November of 1967 before emissions and safety changes arrived the following year, making the “1967.5” the most coveted of the series.

This 1967 Datsun 2000 Sports is finished in Off White with a black soft top over a Red interior. It is fitted with the desirable factory Competition Package, which adds dual Mikuni Solex carburetors, large-capacity aluminum oil pan, and a special “B” racing camshaft that brings power up to 150 horsepower. Notably, it also sports a “Rivet in the C” valve cover coveted by collectors as an indicator of a true 1967.5 car. This example was brought to market in 1999 after sitting in the Arizona desert for 17 years—understandably in need of care but, crucially, a solid and largely complete example. The current owner, a Florida-based enthusiast known for perfectly restored, show-winning sports cars, acquired the rare Datsun from a marque specialist in September 2016 and commissioned a bare metal, engine and glass-out repaint to its factory #655 Off White paint the following July. A nut and bolt, no-expense-spared restoration followed in 2018 by noted Datsun roadster specialist William Harvey in Lakeland, Florida, who rebuilt its matching-numbers U20 motor on the original drivetrain. The interior was reupholstered by Hoyts Upholstery in Sarasota, and the gauges were sent to Global Instruments in Huntington, California, for a rebuild. Following its restoration, this example was displayed frequently at prestigious automotive shows on the East Coast—winning three “Best in Class” awards at multiple Florida concours events, a Kyusha Workmanship and Presentation Award at the 2020 Japanese Classic Car Show, a 2022 “Palmetto Award” at the Hilton Head Concours, and most recently the “Chief Judge Award” at the 2025 Motorcar Cavalcade.

This dazzling 1967 Datsun 2000 Sports has covered 5,000 miles since restoration and is furnished with a spare set of period correct Enkei COMPE 8 race wheels and tires, trunk tools in their original canvas tool bag, convertible top boot cover, owner's manuals, and detailed restoration invoices on file totaling over $20,000 with subsequent receipts for parts totaling over $4,200.

With its award-winning restoration, this Datsun 2000 Sports is likely one of the finest examples of the model ever brought to market. It remains a welcome and competitive entry into concours events and car shows such as the prestigious Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach where it has already earned recognition.