Redefined Notchback – 1980 Datsun 200 SX

The Nissan 200SX was a small, low- priced, sporty coupe that was sold in the US from 1974 through 1998, with a brief hiatus from 1990 to 1994. It was meant to compete with the Toyota Celica, but it also went up against the Honda Civic with time.

The Nissan 200SX started life as a separate model under the Datsun brand and in the mid-’80s it was rebranded as a Nissan. The 200SX earned repute as a car that looked boring on paper but performed much better than expected.

Many drivers found it fun to drive, despite its small engine and bland styling. Amongst thousands of adorable fans of Datsun, Ali Mohd Ghuloon, from Bahrain is different from others.

What makes him stand out is not that he owns a Datsun 1980 Model, but his strong liking to the car, from his childhood.

Speaking to DT News, he said “I had always a love to cars, especially classic cars. I still remember when I was a kid, I used to sit inside these same cars, but then it was not owned by me. The car was originally owned by an Asian man, who uses to scold me, whenever I tried to sit inside the car. When years passed by, he gave me the same car as gift, and I was more than happy. The Nissan Datsun, which is idolized by many youngsters, still performs as good as new even now. 

In 1977, Nissan, which then went by the name Datsun in the U.S., introduced the 200SX, a 2-door sport coupe. 

In 1980, the 200SX was completely redesigned. The S110-series 200SX was sold in Europe and Japan as the Silvia, in Australia and New Zealand as the Gazelle, and in Mexico as the Sakura. Hatchback and hardtop “notchback” coupes were offered. 

For 80 and 81, the U.S. 200SX was powered by the Z20E 2.0 liter 4-cylinder. For 1982-83 this engine was enlarged to 2.2 liters to create the Z22E. These cars enjoyed strong sales numbers throughout their run, and many are still on the road.

From 1984-86, the 200SX was offered with two engine choices in the U.S., the CA20E 2.0 liter four, or the CA18ET, a 1.8 liter turbo. It was in 1987, however that Nissan offered the U.S. market something more. The turbo was dropped and, in approximately 5000 cars in 87 and 5000 in 88, the VG30E 3.0-liter V6 was shoehorned in to create the 200SX SE V6. 

Caption : Ali Mohd Ghuloon

Report and Pictures by 

Santhosh Rajendran

santhosh@dt.bh