Here is one that I'm fairly sure our US friends will not have seen before that comes from the land of the rising sun. This is my 1974 Datsun 260C wagon, known in Japan as a Cedric but in Australia as the 260C because, as legend has it, the Australian market though 'Cedric' was a bit weird. I tend to agree, Cedric sounds like that weird uncle who gets handsy at Christmas and much like that uncle this car complains a lot. Used as a farm car from nearly new, it sat in a barn for about 10 years before I picked it up and as evidenced by the steel girders on the front subframe it was used to drive over fences out in the Australian wilds. It is a fantastic lemon with an underpowered 2.6L (L-series) engine that only has one very asthmatic carburettor which is very unlike its stablemate the 260Z with twin SU's. The rear axle is an agricultural live axle that really gets confused on dirt roads and starts to rock like we're on the high seas, combined with double wish bone front and it's a soft, floaty ride. Lastly, and unfortunately, I don't have a good photo of either of these feature but there are two redeeming features; firstly the carbon monoxide seats in the rear that are for midgets and definitely not for full-grown adults, but it does officially make it a 7 seater which was pretty cool for 1974 from Japan. The second redeeming feature is the rear passenger side window (left side for those playing along at home) that has a keyhole that when a key is inserted and turns, activates the ancient electric motor and brings the window down. This window was for curb side deliveries and I think inspired by something like the Chev Caprice with the rear electric tail gate, only smaller and not as useful. Here she is in all her glory! The colour is original but the dents are hard won over years of use out on the farm: Also, note it has a badge on the back that says 'Wagon'... incase there was any confusion... She looks good in this photo... There's the key hole, just randomly placed in the rear guard. Needlessly complex rear treatment. Also a needlessly complex grill, but it was the 70's. You can see the steel girder that (with an extension) was used to push over fences, stumps, cows...
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