Bluebird motor car

Datsun Bluebird 180B SSS Coupe (hardtop) 610 series. Registration number: YTD94L

The first cars imported to the UK from Japan were Daihatsus in 1964, but these were expensive and withdrawn. Datsun was the first Japanese car manufacturing brand to find success in the UK. During the 1970s UK-made cars were gaining a reputation for being unreliable, and widespread industrial action impacted the sector. It was during this uncertain period that Nissan released their popular Sunny, Cherry and Bluebird ranges, under the brand name 'Datsun'. While their main competitor, Toyota, was more successful in mainland Europe, outselling Datsun 2:1, Datsun managed to outsell them in the UK by adding more appealing features, such as including sunroofs and stereos.

This Bluebird coupe was at the higher end of the Datsun range, and was regarded as an affordable sports car. The focus on style made these coupes date quicker than other ranges, and few models have survived.