1981 Datsun 210 Wagon

- West Coast Wagon
- Imported New in Washington State
-1.4L 4 Cylinder
- 5 Speed Manual Transmission
- Mostly Highway Miles - Pulled Behind RV
- Brown Over Tan Interior

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1981 Datsun 210 Wagon on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 175 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to its accident and damage-free Carfax history, please go to our main website: GKM.com)

“More miles per gallon; more years per car” – 1981 Datsun 210 magazine advertisement headline.

The ad went on: “Today most everyone wants a high-mileage car. But sometimes the car that goes farther on a gallon also goes faster to a trade-in. Not the Datsun 210. It offers you the mileage you're counting on and the longevity you're dreaming of. It guards against the rattles with a body that's fused into one solid piece by thousands of welds, not held together by nuts and bolts. You know how fast rattles can shake you of that new car feeling. It's protected against rust with panels of galvanized steel, coatings of zinc, yards of sealers and treatments of anti-chipping compound. You know how fast rust can dim your new-car glow. Extra life is built into the engine by a massive five-main-bearing camshaft. It's an engine that has satisfied drivers for almost 400 billion miles. Inside there are rich, roomy seats. Big readable instruments. Stalk controls. Electric rear-window de-froster. And a level of workmanship you'd be proud to call your own. From the Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., world-wide leader in automotive excellence.”

Offered here is a 1981 Datsun 210 wagon that's proof of many of the claims made in that 40-year-old ad. Imported into Washington state, this was a West-Coast-owned car often towed behind an RV to various vacation destinations; a considerable number of its 196,101 miles (fewer than 5,000 miles per-year on average since new) were accumulated in that fashion.

The car's medium-brown-metallic paint shows well: good gloss and smooth surface across all body panels. There are no dings, dents, or other damage to any sheet metal. In every respect, the paint appears original. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, please be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) Chrome-and-rubber bumpers and body trim are similarly well-kept with little patina (most noticeable on door handles and window surrounds). Window glass and lighting lenses are clear and free of cracks. Factory badging includes the “Datsun” grille emblem, and both “Old Datsun 210” and “SL” tailgate emblems. A rear-window wiper and towing hitch are mounted. Gear® BBS-look 14-inch wheels are mounted with Otani® 185/85 radial tires.

The tan interior has been generally well-kept through the years. All seating surfaces feature fabric slipcovers and the dashboard top is also covered in fabric. Tan original carpets are in place in both the cabin and cargo area. Rubber mats protect the carpet in front, but there is some soiling. Vinyl door trim shows some looseness; cabin and cargo-area walls are undamaged. A “D”-branded 3-spoke steering wheel frames the stock instrument panel including slide-lever heat and ventilation controls and a Kraco® audio unit to the right. The shift lever for the 5-speed manual transmission is located on the console forward of the emergency-brake lever. (Please view the close-up photography in the gallery to assess the condition of the Datsun's various interior surfaces.)

Under the hood, the 1.4-liter Nissan inline 4-cylinder engine appears complete and unmodified. It has not been detailed. Viewed from below, the same description applies. (To best evaluate the condition of undercarriage surfaces, please review the gallery photos shot from below.)

While the more than 175 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '81 Datsun 210 Wagon in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

A second period advertisement for the Datsun 210 wagon promised: “Datsun's new economy wagon makes you feel rich.” While there may be a bit of overstatement there, the copy wasn't exaggerating: “The new 210 Sportwagon doesn't scrimp to help you save. In fit… in finish… in ride… you sense everything works and keeps working.”