C L A S S I C  F A I R L A D Y  R O A D S T E R  R E G I S T E R

T H E   R E G I S T E R' S   H I S T O R Y

I  N  T  R  O  D  U  C  T  I  O  N   

The Register was formed back in April 1994, to promote the classic status of the Datsun 1500, 1600 and 2000 Roadster, built between 1963 and 1970. The Datsun Roadster, or Fairlady as she was known in Japan, was never sold in the UK, but she did reach mainland Europe in small numbers.

This site has been designed to give owners and enthusiasts an insight into the Roadster scene in the UK and mainland Europe, as well as providing some background to the Roadster's worldwide history. Interest in the marque is growing and, despite the small numbers around, Roadsters are receiving good coverage from articles in the Classic Car press.

If you know of any Roadsters in Europe please E-Mail:- RoadsterGB@aol.com

This DATSUN SPL311 was featured in THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC CAR BOOK by QUENTIN WILLSON. The car, registration MUF625F, also featured on CLASSIC CARS, a DK CD-Rom.

• April 1994 - The Register is formed, with a quarterly slot in the 'Classic Z Register' magazine. This slot continues to date and we still have excellent links with the Z Register. Founder members were Steve Gamage (white 1600), Bryan English (red 1500) and Rob Beddington (white 2000).

• September 1995 - A two page feature of a 1600 Sports in The Ultimate Classic Car Book by Quentin Willson of BBC Top Gear fame (Reg No. MUF 625F). The car also featured on a CD-Rom, Classic Cars. The car was then owned by Steve Gamage, co-founder of Register.

• May 1996 - First showing of a Roadster at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham (in the Classic and Sports Car Show). (Rob Beddington's Fairlady 2000 -Reg No. WVO408G). The same car also appeared at the NEC in 1998. She has won several awards.

• January 1997 - Front cover of the Christmas edition of Practical Classics magazine in a 7-page five car 'shoot out' feature. (Reg No. WVO 408G).

• June 1998 - First Roadster (a 1600 Sports) to enter the London to Brighton Classic Car run. (Reg No. DCK 156C). The same 1600 Sports completed the Manchester to Blackpool run two weeks later. Car owned by Register member Chorley Nissan, custodian Keith Purdon.  Keith has also recently undertaken the same two runs in 1999 and the roadster appears at many Nissan sponsored events.

Books available through VELOCE PUBLISHING

• June 1998 - Acknowledgement of the Register in assisting with the proof reading of Brian Long's book 'Datsun - from Fairlady to 280Z'. The book is widely considered to be one of the most authoritative on the series to date.  Many of the book's photographs were taken from the Register's archives. (The above image shows the rejected front cover - the final cover featured a Fairlady Z only).  September 1999 - Brian releases 'Datsun 280 and Nissan 300 ZX', which also includes photographs from the Register's archives.

• March 1999 - WVO 408G photographed in studio and on location for a 4- page feature foldout in the Hot Cars series, an American periodical on world sportscars.  Published 11/99 by International Masters Publishing.

• June 1999 - Long overdue, the Register's website is launched!

• January 2000 - The Register's website features pages in Japanese text for the first time, with translation of the BRE and Bob Sharp pages by Manabu Goshima of the SROC.

• February 2000 - Rob Beddington and the Register are profiled in NEO, the annual publication from Nissan Motorsports Japan.

• February 2000 - The Register joins forces with Greg Valazza's award winning DATSUN.ORG, which from February 2000 hosts the Register's website under  the domain name www.datsun.org/fairlady.  This association was first discussed in mid 1998. 

We maintain a list of European based Roadsters and welcome information on any similar Roadsters (Dead or Alive).

The archive is growing weekly and we hold many rare brochures/press photographs on the Fairlady/Sports series and their history.  If you have any to trade please let us know.