Datsun went from small-timer to main power in the USA throughout the decade of the Nineteen Seventies, and Nissan determined to rejoice the next decade by promoting the Violet-based Auster with Stanza badges right here, whereas concurrently phasing out the Datsun title in favor of the particular title of the corporate. At this time’s Junkyard Gem is a first-year instance of the Stanza, present in a Colorado self-service boneyard just lately.
The Stanza was meant to suit between the Datsun 310 and the Datsun 810 Maxima in Nissan’s 1982 American showroom lineup. The MSRP for the bottom four-door hatchback was $6,999, or about $22,767 in 2024 {dollars}. That made it a bit pricier than the better-equipped Toyota Corolla sedans however quite a bit cheaper than the Toyota Corona (then in its closing 12 months earlier than being changed by the Camry).
The Stanza lived on the Violet platform right here by means of 1989, then grew to become a Bluebird. For the 1993 mannequin 12 months, it grew to become the Stanza Altima in the USA, with the Stanza title lingering on the covers of Altima proprietor’s manuals by means of 1996 earlier than getting stuffed into Nissan’s reminiscence gap.
What to name the 1982 Stanza stays one thing of a problem, as a result of Nissan was getting critical in regards to the de-Datsunification of its North American-market autos when this automotive was constructed, but did not wish to sacrifice all of the title recognition Datsun had earned right here. The badges have been pried off this automotive by a junkyard shopper, nevertheless it as soon as had an enormous DATSUN emblem on the left facet of the hatch and an enormous NISSAN STANZA badge on the best facet.
Formally, it was marketed because the Nissan Stanza, offered by your Datsun (“Product of Nissan”) vendor. In the meantime, 1982 and 1983 autos nonetheless badged as Datsuns have been getting “by Nissan” badges. The Sentra first appeared in the USA in 1982, and it additionally bought Datsun badging at first.
It took till 1984 for the title change to take full impact, though some early 1984 mannequin Nissans bought Datsun badges right here. Many years later, Nissan revived the Datsun title, earlier than killing once more it a few years again. The man who thought up that concept needed to go away Tokyo in a rush.
Like its Altima descendants, the Stanza was loads of automotive for the cash. It is a 2.0-liter SOHC straight-four rated at 88 horsepower and 112 pound-feet, not unhealthy for a Malaise Period automotive that scaled in at a mere 2,220 kilos.
A five-speed guide transmission was base tools, with a three-speed computerized priced at $280 ($911 as we speak).
This automotive has the guide transmission, nevertheless it additionally has some few extra-cost choices. The air con added $590 ($1,919 now) to the value tag.
The AM/FM radio and tilt steering wheel got here at no further value within the XE trim stage. Word the DATSUN brand on the tuner dial.
I’ve discovered a junkyard Stanza with higher than 400,000 miles on its odometer, however this one simply squeaked previous 160,000 throughout its profession.
Nissan was one of many premier producers of Bordello Crimson™ automotive interiors throughout the Eighties.
The household automotive of the longer term!
As soon as the 310 went away, the Sentra grew to become the mannequin positioned just under the Stanza.
The JDM variations of this automotive bought completely different snouts.