Hi guys,

There's a 160u for sale here in harare. I went to have a look at it - it's not too bad. had one owner since 1980, is a 1977 model, had a few repairs done to it over time, but nothing serious. body work is relatively ok, with a bit of rust bubbling under the paint work by the rear left wheel. upholstery is not too bad either, passenger seat just re-done but other seats in original upholstery with no holes. door panels & fixtures all in place.

Biggest problem though, the chassis is cracked just behind both front wheels - apparently from the terrible condition of our roads. metal fatigued & cracked. The car can not be driven away nor towed with all wheels down. front wheels will have to be off the ground.

They started it up for me, & the engine sounds good - no obvious problems. exhaust is leaking a bit tho.

So, how much do you guys reckon this car is worth? I should be able to get the chassis sorted - i have an uncle who is a steel fabricator.

They are asking for US$3000. (keep in mind tho, i could import an ex jap car for about US$2000)

Thanks for your input guys! :)

Any way you can post a pic? Is it a violet 710 ?

like this? http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2185597

Its not a fast back (sss) its a four door, mustard yellow color. original 'datsun' solid rims (the ones that use hubcaps) & for what i saw, it doesnt have a rev counter...

That link shows that guy in SA bought it for equiv of US$100!!!! i guess i would pay maybe US$500 for this one for sale?

it's a 160B... (610)

oh, i see.... it's just that the badge on it said it was a 160u. i'll c if i can get a ic or two up.

How much you reckon i should pay for it?

It is worth scrap price, maybe $300.
If you really love the 160U, then it is worth more.

Anything special abuot this one? Not an SSS is it?

Nah, not SSS... the owner said she did own a SSS at one time though. So scrap price you reckon? even though the engine is "in good condition"?

Quote:Yes. Although it may be different in Zimbabwe.

In USA or Australia, go down to the scrappers (wrecking yard). Not all do, but many of the cars there, sold for scrap, have good engines still in them. That's what it's worth. As a seller, you can add value by advertising or working hard to find the right buyer who will pay more for the engine alone. So it is possible to sell for more. Maybe you offer a warranty like the wrecker's do. Maybe you offer to help install the engine. Or maybe by chance you find a buyer who wants to pay more to you. All scenarios occur.

Maybe someone will pay $3000 US for the cracked car. It sounds unlikely.

Ethan, what do you think, as a person in the local economy, what do you think will happen to this car if you do not buy it? Will someone pay $3000 for it? What about $1000? Would a scrapper pay $300? There is a rumour that Datsuns are more highly valued in some African countries than in other parts of the world. I say rumour because it is always vague. They never say which countries. One report this month said all across USA, certain unnamed people are buying up used Datsun engines, running or not, and shipping them to Africa for profit. Can this be true?