A guy leaned out a pub window while I was parking, and said "Nice E-type!!" until his female companion said "I don't think it's an E-type?" and he was like "yeah it is, isn't it mate!?" - I had to tell the girl that her car recognition chip was operating better than her boyfriend's. :stupid:

Another time a gas station attendant (you'd think they'd learn by osmosis with a job like that!) asked me how my "Alfa" went on fuel consumption! I had to tell him "my Alfa doesn't cost me a bean" (my Z however, that's a different story!).

But the most common reaction is when I'm stopped at a pedestrian crossing and someone crosses infront of my car. Generally they see the side profile to start with, and it's all smiles and admiration. Then as they draw dead-centre on the bonnet, they see the "DATSUN" badge and suddenly look confused, slightly annoyed that they've been admiring it, then some even turn their nose up! :mad:

Could be worse, they could think it was a crossfire!

Will

A Pinto! Gees ill donate some glasses for that lady. :stupid:

Now the cross farter,(or is it fire?) :classic:

Thats just Wack!

  moyest said:

But the most common reaction is when I'm stopped at a pedestrian crossing and someone crosses infront of my car. Generally they see the side profile to start with, and it's all smiles and admiration. Then as they draw dead-centre on the bonnet, they see the "DATSUN" badge and suddenly look confused, slightly annoyed that they've been admiring it, then some even turn their nose up! :mad:

That happens to me and I dont like it either. Have to remember though, I live in Camaro/Mustang/F150/Silverado territory.

Chris

Everytime I have been approached while driving the S30 most of the people I run into try to guess the year by saying something like this:

"Is that a '76,77?"

While in the '72 Celica one day someone pulled up at a stoplight and stated that the Celica was a sexy "bitch" and how she had a "sweet arse" and then went on to say that if I went to sell it I should call him first.

Everyone seems to know what the '86 300ZX is and they mostly comment about the rims and how clean it is. The 350Z was getting comments last year about it being a nice Porsche? Now that it has been out for awhile evryone seems to know what it is and mostly if it gets a reaction it's usually about the color (Brickyard Red).

ChrisA and Moyest, hood ornaments can be made at any crosswalk!

No body ever said they couldn't be people!

Seriously, next time roll down the window and tell them they shouldn't get so sad because they don't have one...

Will

  moyest said:

But the most common reaction is when I'm stopped at a pedestrian crossing and someone crosses infront of my car. Generally they see the side profile to start with, and it's all smiles and admiration. Then as they draw dead-centre on the bonnet, they see the "DATSUN" badge and suddenly look confused, slightly annoyed that they've been admiring it, then some even turn their nose up! :mad:

A long time back I was having a drink with some mates in a beer garden, and my z was in the car park where I could see it. Some young blokes were walking across the car park and saw my car, and made kind of approving noises ( 'look at that' sort of thing). One of them went over to it and the next thing I heard was, 'Christ its only a f**ing Datsun'

Andrew

The story I heard was that the "DATSUN" brand was more or less invented for (or at least used in) America because the "NISSAN" brand wasn't too well favoured in USA.

Ironically, these days I think we'd all be happier if it was a "Nissan 240Z" because the brand is strong, and they're making fantastic cars! 200sx/Sylvia (or 240sx in USA), Skyline GTR, 350Z, even the new Maxima (which probably has a "Q" model designation in USA??).

I don't think Datsun quite has the "street cred" of Nissan?

  moyest said:

Ironically, these days I think we'd all be happier if it was a "Nissan 240Z" I don't think Datsun quite has the "street cred" of Nissan?

Moyest

The Datsun name in the UK is synonymous with 1970's crappy economy rust buckets. I will admit to occasionally referring to my car as a 240z (without the datsun bit)

Andrew

It's true, people would appreciate our cars if they didn't have "DATSUN" badges - I guess that's why so many people debadge them. What I heard in regards to why Datsun was even used in export markets was similar to what you said, Moyest. I heard that when Nissan BEGAN to export, they were afraid to give Nissan a bad name, if people in other markets didn't like their cars. They decided to call them Datsun, and then change over to Nissan once it was "safe".

Interesting, because Datsun doesn't really have a good name! I wonder how much 'street cred' Nissan would have, if Datsuns were always Nissans...

Get me??

I would leave the Datsun badges on them. That way when yur beating there pants off, they can say its just a f...ing datsun.

When I showed a kid at work a picture of the 78 280 I just bought he said "Whoah! You just bought a Porsche?"

"No you idiot. It's a Datsun 280z."

"What in the hell is that?"

"It's a Nissan."

"Oh. Looks cool."