Datsun 1600 Roadster gets a wild twist with a bold chop
- This Datsun 1600 Roadster has been given a new look
- It’s been ‘chopped and swapped’ by an expert
- The car looks better than ever
Published on Feb 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Feb 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This customized 1966 Datsun 1600 Roadster has been given a bold new look thanks to a dramatic ‘chop and swap’.
The Datsun 1600 Roadster was the second-generation Datsun Sport, released back in 1961.
The Japanese-made Roadsters became a regular winner on the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) circuit.
However, just nine years after it was introduced, the Datsun 1600 Roadsters’ production came to an end.
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The Datsun 1600 Roadster restomod looks amazing
We’ve seen plenty of vehicles being given a new lease of life thanks to a slick restomod – including this Porsche 911 and this stunning Lambo-based model.
In the case of this cute-looking Datsun, it was given a brand-new look by Chris Bishop from Japanese Classics.
The car appeared on Larry Chen’s YouTube channel, where he was able to get a closer look at the incredible work that had gone into the vehicle.
The car began life as a stock-standard 1966 Datsun 1600 Roadster and has undergone several modifications and alterations, including being given a new engine.
lower front fascia, large rear fender flares, and some dazzling fresh chrome.
Japanese Classics opted for 4-spoke design wheels in a matte finish with a polished lip – giving the little Datsun a racing-feel that’s befitting of its history.
It has been painted in a custom-made deep green shade, while the inside is decked out in red and black leather and comes with a specially-made suitcase stashed behind the passenger seat.
The Datsun has also been given a new engine
The original 1966 Datsun 1600 Roadster would have come with a 1.6 liter that could produce up to 96 horsepower.
For this customized model, the engine has been swapped out with an SR20DE 2.0 liter, which gives a serious boost to the Datsun performance compared to its spec engine.
The SR20DE is the same engine that comes in the Nissan Silvia S15 and fits nicely inside the engine well of the Datsun without Bishop having to make any changes.
This particular SR20DE can produce just shy of 200 horsepower and is mated with a 5-speed transmission.
All in all, a seriously impressive vehicle.
Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
