INFO GUIDE: 1967 Datsun Fairlady / Sports 2000 Roadster

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This buyers guide / identification guide has been written for those interested in the 1967 ½ Datsun 2000 Roadster (Known as the Fairlady roadster in markets outside of the U.S. This guide specifically covers the SR311 and SRL311 “Low windscreen” roadsters of 1967 only, being a particularly desirable version of the 2 litre roadster due to several unique features as outline in this guide.

The 1967 ½ Datsun 2000 roadster is based on the same chassis and body of the 1600cc Datsun roadster of the same era, and occasionally these cars are re-birthed or misrepresented to unsuspecting purchasers as 2000 models. The purpose of this guide is to assist people in the accurate identification of genuine 1967 ½ 2 litre roadsters, and includes information on external and internal features, original paint codes, chassis and engine number prefixes and a basic summary of the mechanical features of the car.

Period of Manufacture: March 1967 – April 1970

Production Numbers: Approximately 15,000 Datsun 2000cc roadsters were produced in total over the period 1967 - 1970. There is some confusion over the number of 1967 ½ cars specifically, however, Neko's Fairlady Volume 2 indicates that there were 1000 SRL311 (left hand drive) cars produced and 1000 SR311 (right hand drive) cars produced, making a total production total of 2,000 2 litre cars for 1967. However, another source (datsunroadster.com) points to only 650 LHD cars having been built, based on an analysis of chassis numbers.

Please note, this guide has been written based on a variety of online sources and enthusiast input. You should not rely on this guide to make any purchasing decision and we make no representation that all information is accurate. You should always seek independent professional advice when looking to purchase a unique car. If you have additional information, photographs or corrections you believe need to be made to this page, please contact us by clicking the button at the top of this page, or comment below.


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1. External Features - 1967 ½ Datsun Fairlady/Sports 2000 Roadster
Datsun Roadster 2000 1967.5.jpg Click to enlarge
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The following external features should be present on the 1967 ½ Datsun Sports / Fairlady 2000, making a good starting point for identification of a genuine car:

  • 1967 model 2000 roadsters used the 67 ½ body, which included several upgrades mechanically and to the interior from earlier generation cars. (Described in detail later). The 67 ½  body most notably had increased flaring on the mudguards.
  • 4 ½” J x 14” 9 slot silver wheels with central chromed steel hubcaps.
  • Factory tyre size: 5.60S14-4PR (optional 6.45S14-4PR).
  • Windscreen is 2” lower than 1968 - 70 models, and is also detachable from the body. (See image with bolts and separate screen frame).
  • Headlight scoops are a satin finish - (i.e. they are a more dull finish than chrome) and only the outer edges are chromed.
  • Push button door handles (as opposed to the later model lift-up handles).
  • Quarter glass windows on the doors can be opened (later models were fixed in place).
  • Side fender badges say "Datsun" above the chrome strip and "2000" below on U.S. models. In markets such as Australia and Japan, the side fender badges state “Fairlady” in place of “Datsun”.
  • Rear badge states "Datsun" with "2000" underneath on the U.S. models. Again, for markets such as Australia and Japan, the cars were badged “Fairlady” in place of Datsun.
  • 2000 models have a different grille design with a large "D" emblem in the centre, distinguishing them from their 1600cc counterparts.
  • Rear bumper incorporates the licence plate lamp and separate turn signals. There is also a thin chrome trim around the number plate recess.
  • All right hand drive Fairlady Roadsters should have a tear drop side marker light on the front fender sides.
  • Front park light lenses are usually amber on U.S. cars, and clear on RHD market cars, with a chrome bezel.
  • Rear turn signals are red on U.S. cars, and amber on RHD market cars.
2. Interior Features - 1967 ½ Datsun Fairlady/Sports 2000 Roadster
67.5 interior 2.png Click to enlarge
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The 1967 ½ Datsun 2000 Sports / Fairlady had the following interior features:

  • Most cars had black vinyl interior trim and black carpets, however, cars painted black or white came with red vinyl trim and carpets (as shown in images).
  • Flat dashboard with a matt black finish.
  • Tachometer goes to 8000rpm, speedo to 160mph. Rings around instruments are black on the 2000 roadster, as opposed to chrome on earlier roadster models.
  • 67 ½ cars had 3 toggle switches on the central dashboard (earlier cars had 4 switches).
  • Three spoke drilled sports steering wheel with small datsun badge on central boss.
  • Optional headrests on the 1967 ½ cars, which attach to the back of the seat (see images). Most cars came with low back seats / bucket seats however.
  • Dash mounted rear view mirror (as opposed to later windscreen mounted mirror).
  • Fuse box under bonnet (rather than in glove box as in later models).
  • 67 ½ models had numerous minor items changed to improve the roadsters from earlier models, which included upgraded seats & sun visors.
  • Ignition switch is now located on the steering column (as opposed to earlier models where it was in the dashboard panel).
3. Paint Colours / Codes - 1967 ½ Datsun Fairlady/Sports 2000 Roadster
67-Datsun-2000 Thunder Black.jpg Click to enlarge
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The following paint colours were available on the 67 ½ Datsun 2000 Roadster. Examples of each colour are provided in the attached images.

  • Thunder Black (Code: 505, PPG: 9769) available 1967 - 1970
  • Beige Gray Metallic (also called Silver Bronze Metallic) (Code: 531, PPG: 39953) available 1967 - 1970
  • Sora Blue (Code: 563, PPG: 13165) available 1967 - 1970
  • Off White (Code: 655, PPG: 8794) available 1967 - 1970
  • Spanish Red (Code: 664, PPG: 71812) available 1967 - 1970
  • Yellow (Code: 665, PPG: 81768) available 1967 - 1970
  • Silver Grey Metallic (Code: 666, PPG: 32831) available 1967 - 1970

 

Confirming the cars original colour:

The paint colour and code was printed on a label under the bonnet to the left of the ID plate (See images for a better description of the location and type of sticker). Of course, labels can easily go missing by peeling off over time, or are removed during restoration. If the label is missing, your best bet is checking under the carpet on the transmission tunnel or on the inside of the firewall for signs of an original colour, and trying to then match it - assuming you are wanting to restore the car to its original colour specification.

 

4. Chassis Number - 1967 ½ Datsun Fairlady/Sports 2000 Roadster
ID tag and paint tag location 2.png Click to enlarge
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The 1967 ½ Datsun Fairlady 2000 Sports should have a chassis number in the following format:

Left hand drive cars = “SRL311” – followed by a 5 digit number.

Right hand drive cars = “SR311” – followed by a 5 digit number.

The 5 digit number should be within the range of 00001 through to 01000 Example: “SRL311-00567” or “SR311-00450”.

 

Location of Chassis Number:

There are only two locations you can check for the 67 ½ Datsun Roadster cars, as opposed to the later cars which had additional locations (we cover these in another ID guide).

1. Check the chassis plate / VIN plate which is located under the bonnet, riveted on top of the flat area just above the RHS bulkhead/firewall (see location in images). The chassis number should be in the location per the examples shown.

2. Check the front left top side of the chassis frame itself. There is a stamped chassis number just below the area where the washer bottle is fitted. The stamping may be difficult to see so you will need a torch and may need to clean off paint / grease to see it clearly. See the images attached for the location and stamping font typeface.

 

Notes on original ‘Solex’ Cars:

The Solex upgraded cars in Canada and Australia had VIN tags noting 150HP, making Solex cars easy to identify. In the U.S. however, this did not occur, and it is difficult to tell whether a US ‘Solex’ car is authentic or whether it has been converted, in the absence of very early documentation.

It is also noted that the first couple of hundred 67 ½ 2000 cars had a model year line on the ID tag, so this may be present if you have a very early car.

5. Engine Number - 1967 ½ Datsun Fairlady/Sports 2000 Roadster
Engine numver location Datsun U20 2000 roadster engine umber.jpg Click to enlarge
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The Datsun Sports / Fairlady Roadster 2000 should have a U20 engine prefix, followed by an engine number that is around 300 - 600 numbers higher than the VIN number. The Engine number should be in two places.

1. On the VIN tag / chassis plate on the bulkhead, stamped above the VIN number (see images)

2. Stamped into the RHS top of the engine block (See small flat area sticking out), where the head and block join/meet (see images).

Some have reported that there are cars with tags that have no engine number stamped into them. For those cars, check that engine number is within the 300 – 600 higher range as noted above, so you can at least confirm the likelihood that the engine is original, confirm that it is from approximately the correct year/era.

6. Mechanical Features - 1967 ½ Datsun Fairlady/Sports 2000 Roadster

The 1967 ½  Datsun Fairlady/Sports 2000 had the following mechanical features:

  • On U.S. spec cars, the 150HP competition kit with Solex carburettors was available as an option. (some dealer installed, some factory). In stock configuration, the cars came with twin SU carbs.
  • The Solex competition kit was standard equipment on all Australian and Canadian export cars in 1967. VIN tags in Australia and Canada will confirm whether it is a solex car, by stating 150HP on the chassis plate.
  • The Solex upgrade consisted of dual Mikuni/Solex side draught  44PHH carbs, a Solex camshaft, and a competition 7 quart finned aluminium oil pan for better cooling. Stock cars with SU carbs produced 135HP (101kw) vs the Solex kit at 150HP (112kw).
  • Engine was the Model “U20”, 1982cc single OHC 4 cylinder.
  • The U-20 engine block came in a blue-green colour as standard (see images).
  • 4 ½” J x 14” 10 slot wheels with central stainless hubcaps.
  • Tyre Size - 5.60-S14-4PR (optional 6.45S14-4PR).
  • Rear drum brakes.
  • Front disc brakes.
  • Tandem brake master cylinder introduced on the 67 ½ model.

Comments

garyhudson_5644's picture

garyhudson_5644

11/04/2020 - 06:46
Do you have any idea of the number of Solex models that were produced? I've read conflicting reports, some stating that the competition version was an add-on from the dealership.