I just wanted to say I've joined the Datsun love affair. I picked up my '72 1200. I'm in the United States so it is a lhd (does anyone know which is rarer, lhd or rhd?) The car has 289,986 miles on it and has only had the head off once for a head gasket. It runs suprisingly strong (only burns a quart of oil about ever 500). It has more get up and go than my Dodge Neon. However, the list of things it needs is growing by the minute. Any help with info is very appreciated. I need to find the bushings for the shift lever, and instructions on how to change them. The thing pretty much feel like it is neutral wherever it is. Also, does anyone know where I can get parts for the seat. The recliner mechanism is pretty much falling apart on the drivers side. Thanks again for all your time,
Andrew

P.S. All those engine ideas I was talking about earlier are still on the drawing board. Just the realization of the size of this project has moved them back a bit. Thanks again everyone.

Hey there,
I bought the bushings for the gear lever new from nissan so if you have a dealer over there I'd give them a go!

Hey warm welcome from OZ Andy. I found if you hang around long enough on this site, you'll find whatever you need for your classic car.

Quote:

LHD. Definitely.

They only sold LHD models for 3 years. They sold the RHD models MUCH longer, in fact they still sell them in South Africa. I am pretty sure only the US got the LHD model (maybe Germany?), so that would make them extremely rare.

I'm sure tens_and_twenties is right, even if you only count 1971-1973. Japan, England and Australia all RHD.

I'm would guess there are more 1971-1973 LHD 1200s in in Portugal right now than in the US.

There are two very small bushings for the shifter and Nissan should still sell them new from the dealer. If not, the junkyard will probably have them as they are the same from a 280ZX, B210, B310, etc. There is also a small nylon bushing that goes on the ball at the very end/tip of the shifter, these crack after a while too, and would give you more of an "all gears feel like neutral" feel than just the bushings. These are also available new from Nissan for cheap, or can be borrowed from the aforementioned cars, but they are a B*$ch to get off. My recommendation is to find a junkyard with a 79-83 280ZX and just take the whole shifter and bushings from it, it fits right into the 1200 tranny and will give you a shorter throw.

To replace the bushings, just remove the shifter handle by turning it counter clockwise, remove the rubber shifter boot, until you have access to where the shifter mounts to the tranny. If it's a stock tranny/shifter setup, there will be one metal pin going through the shifter with a C-clip on the opposite side of it. Remove the C-clip with a screw driver and DON'T let it fly away when it's coming off!!!! Then the pin will slide out or you can tap it out lightly, then the shifter just pulls right out. Basically reverse for installation, just make sure you seat the metal pin through the shifter properly or you won't be able to get the C-clip back on. You'll notice the pin looks like a round bolt with half the head shaved away, the shaved away part faces down towards the ground/tranny. Some models may have the metal pin threaded and with a bolt rather than the C-clip holding it on, it's no big deal, and really easy to do.

For the seats...I would also scrounge the junkyard for a nice set of replacemet seats. Stock Datsun seats leave a lot to be desired for in comfortability. I've found that earlier (1980's) Subaru seats bolt onto the Datsun 1200's seat rails with minor modifications (a little round file action to elongate the mounting holes). You just have to find the right color and best condition ones you can. I'm sure many others fit very easily too, just take a tape measure and maybe a set of Datsun seat rails with you to find the best candidates!

Hope you enjoy your 1200, they are awesome cars!

-Andy

Hey there, welcome,

I saw some bushings on EBAY for shifter. They may be what you want.

Check the Nissan parts counter though, I found a partsman that love old DATS and has a nice 1200 sedan himself. He can get metal fenders (stock) and all sorts of stuff for these little cars, prices are painful but brand new OE stuff is getting rare. I think he said most of it comes direct out of Japan, that they have tons of stuff just sitting on shelves over there since thats where they were all made. Its really worth the call if you find the right guy at the other end of the phone.

do you have this guys number that can get fenders

you betcha, I sure do.

He is in Canada (Edmonton), if you email or PM me I can give you the contact info.

Welcome aboard Andy , we've had our 1200 since 1980 or so. it was a daily driver but got turned into a Road Race and Tarmac rally car. Of all Datsun's I love 1200's the best only 1500lbs and lots of suspension and motor upgrades are availible. 1200 parts are readily avaiIible you just have to hunt a little. If you are ever coming to Las Vegas give me a shout.

Tom Grossmann , Las Vegas