The Nissan Pulsar first appeared in the USA because the 1979 Datsun 310, then got here again 4 years later in hatchback and coupe kind. The Pulsar hatchbacks bought dropped right here for 1984, leaving simply the Pulsar NX (referred to as the Nissan EXA in Japan). For the 1987 mannequin 12 months, the N13 Pulsar confirmed up in American Nissan dealerships, and it was a captivating little automotive. This is a kind of second-generation Pulsar NXs, present in a Denver-area yard lately.
Because it was derived from the Sunny, in any other case referred to as the Sentra over right here, this automotive may very well be thought-about a sibling or no less than a primary cousin to the same-generation Sentra.
By far the best characteristic of the 1987-1990 Pulsar NX was the swappable rear physique attachments. This automotive has the coupe piece, nevertheless it additionally got here with a wagon-shaped “Sportbak” attachment as effectively. You might depart the attachment off utterly and get a quasi-convertible, although this was extra enjoyable once you eliminated the the T-top roof panels.
The MSRP for the bottom ’87 Pulsar NX with automated transmission, which is what we’ve right here, was $11,059. That is about $30,673 in 2024 {dollars}.
The engine is a fuel-injected model of the 1.6-liter SOHC straight-four that went into the bottom ’87 Sentra, rated at 70 horsepower and 94 pound-feet.
The underhood emissions sticker says that it was bought new as a California-market automotive, not a federal “49-state” model.
It got here with manufacturing facility air con (a $715 possibility, or $1,983 after inflation). That Fujitsu TEN AM/FM/cassette radio seems to be both aftermarket or swapped from a distinct automotive. It might have been perfect for listening to the unforgettable standard music of the period.
70 horses with a four-speed automated would have required character-building persistence from the motive force.
I considered shopping for these FPS aluminum wheels for my Subaru Sambar kei van, since that oddball 59.1mm hub gap is hard to search out on any U.S.-market 4×100 wheels aside from Nineteen Eighties/Nineties Sentras and their shut relations, however they have been a bit too tough.
This taillight remedy was thought-about so cool that individuals quickly copied it utilizing paint or tape on different autos.
Naturally, that sample carries over onto the speaker grilles.
The Pulsar NX was changed in the USA by the 1991-1993 Nissan NX1600 and NX2000.
It is the automotive for individuals who know the place they are going … and need to get there sooner.
The SE trim degree got here with a extra highly effective DOHC engine.