Alan Robinson, 1975 Datsun Bluebird 180B SSS (610) My love of Datsuns all started with a 1980 Violet 160J SSS back in 1991. It was the robust and easy-to-work-on engines, along with all the chrome and polished stainless steel, that made me want to have more. On the way, I've also had a 1979 160J SSS, 1982 Cherry coupé and finally this 1975 Bluebird 180B SSS – now thought to be the only one left. It came from Leeds and was owned by a Mr Senior, who had acquired it in 1977. He had used it only in the summer months and wax protected its underside, which allowed it to remain fairly rust free. I treated her to a respray in 2008, in Nissan's original yellow as the old paint had a
few patches and a set of very 1970s black stripes down each side. I like to keep things original but felt a set of
Wolfrace alloys, Lucas period spotlights and an early 610 SSS JMD steering wheel have enhanced her appeal.
Alan's Bluebird SSS now lives on Guernsey, and remains rot free. 1.8-litre, overhead-cam engine is good for a 100mph top speed.
Adam Carr, 2000 Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI VTEC I purchased the Prelude from a private seller on 29/05/2005. It could be described as having a Jekyll & Hyde character. It is extremely civilised, refined and relaxed when driven normally, but when you put your foot down, the character of the car transforms. The engine springs into life, acceleration becomes rapid and the engine takes on a completely different note as the pace increases. The car also has excellent handling due to 4WS and double wishbone suspension. Mine has also had the optional lowered sports suspension fitted and also the Japanese specification front suspension strut
brace, which was not available to UK specification Honda Preludes. It's nice
driving something different; many people are unaware of what it is.
Adam reckons his fifth-gen Prelude has a Jekyll & Hyde character. Like all Preludes, fifth-gen is a two-door coupé.
Tim Buttolph, 1989 Nissan Sunny N13 I've owned the Sunny for three years now. I swapped my Bluebird T72 for it. The last owner did most of the improvements, like fitting a complete ZX interior, including electric windows, central locking and converting it to power steering and fitting a full ZX Bodykit. The Sunny has been lowered on coilovers, using the original struts and has WORK Equip alloys ,15” x 7.5j. It then had two tone paint and tinted windows. It's always hard to take on someone else's project or visions and to try and make it your own, but I've added custom made front and rear spoilers, centre caps, an external fake oil cooler, fog lights, a MOMO steering wheel on a short hub plus a Japanese geisha lady novelty gear shifter. Keeping with Japanese styling, I've added a RETRO JAPAN E S E
Tokyo subway ring, a police friendly boso exhaust pipe, the JDM-style fender mirrors and some stickers. I plan to do some upgrades soon to the engine, brakes and exhaust but at the moment, I'm very happy with her
and can't fault her at all. I'm looking forward to going to some of the main Japanese car shows this year. I had a good response from onlookers at JapFest in May, where the car was included in the Retro Cars paddock.
Tim's Sunny began as someone else's project, but he has kept the work going. Custom rear spoiler arguably looks better than Nissan's own ZX bodykit!
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