160sss

Rob Gaskin said:
Superb atmospheric picture - the Datsun looks good. Being an 'old fart' I also realise that the Cortina Estate is from Staffordshire (Stoke on Trent) - RF Reg. Wonder if I knew them?
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I doubt it Rob. The Cortina estate "belonged" (company car) to my co-driver Graham Balmond.
 
one point on the forum car in question. There wasn't a SSS160j saloon on the UK market, but maybe in South Africa? The coupe had all independent suspension, the saloon did not (live axle) and I notice it has 350lb rear springs, my coupe had 800lb ones. Sort of "ringer" perhaps?:unsure: No wonder it's rare;)
 
Nigel Brook said:
one point on the forum car in question. There wasn't a SSS160j saloon on the UK market, but maybe in South Africa? The coupe had all independent suspension, the saloon did not (live axle) and I notice it has 350lb rear springs, my coupe had 800lb ones. Sort of "ringer" perhaps?:unsure: No wonder it's rare;)[/QUOTaxle
If we ignore the US variants, the 710 chassis was offered for sale from 1973 onwards. There was a 2 door coupe , 4 door (fastback saloon) and estate.

In Europe and UK as well, only the coupe had IRS suspension and these were badges as SSS and powered by the 1.6 twin Hitachi's etc. The early saloon (fastback) and later facelifted saloon ( same style as one for sale) were live axles. At least in Europe.

However in Japan and Africa, even the saloon were offered in SSS spec.

The aforementioned car isn't a "ringer" . It's a south African spec car that would have been supplied with IRS from birth.

I must confess this combination also confused me when I first set foot here in UK as all the 710's ( coupe and saloon's) that I had seen in Kenya were IRS.

I guess to compete with other Marques and to keep prices low, Nissan offered the base spec cars in basic trim. Live axle and no Rev counters, 4 speed etc.

And yes, with some decent power upgrades to the engine department and basic suspension tweaks, they make a cracking ccar to own and drive. ( no scene taxes to pay unlike the escort etc)
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datsfun said:
Nigel Brook said:
one point on the forum car in question. There wasn't a SSS160j saloon on the UK market, but maybe in South Africa? The coupe had all independent suspension, the saloon did not (live axle) and I notice it has 350lb rear springs, my coupe had 800lb ones. Sort of "ringer" perhaps?:unsure: No wonder it's rare;)[/QUOTaxle
If we ignore the US variants, the 710 chassis was offered for sale from 1973 onwards. There was a 2 door coupe , 4 door (fastback saloon) and estate.

In Europe and UK as well, only the coupe had IRS suspension and these were badges as SSS and powered by the 1.6 twin Hitachi's etc. The early saloon (fastback) and later facelifted saloon ( same style as one for sale) were live axles. At least in Europe.

However in Japan and Africa, even the saloon were offered in SSS spec.

The aforementioned car isn't a "ringer" . It's a south African spec car that would have been supplied with IRS from birth.

I must confess this combination also confused me when I first set foot here in UK as all the 710's ( coupe and saloon's) that I had seen in Kenya were IRS.

I guess to compete with other Marques and to keep prices low, Nissan offered the base spec cars in basic trim. Live axle and no Rev counters, 4 speed etc.

And yes, with some decent power upgrades to the engine department and basic suspension tweaks, they make a cracking ccar to own and drive. ( no scene taxes to pay unlike the escort etc)
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I'm still suspicious about this particular car. Relatively low rate rear springs for IRS and new badges (what's that all about).
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I am afraid I don't understand your analysis. Just because he has installed "wrong" poundage rear springs and it has new badges, you suspect it's a ringer ?

I guess that would mean virtually all the s30's on here fall into the same camp ?

The car is a genuine SSS. I saw it for sale in mainland Europe before was brought into UK. Furthermore seller states clearly it's a south African spec SSS and not Japanese .
 
350lb springs seem 'strong' to me.

I used 250lb on my track car and standard are a lot softer than that.

As far as I know rallying 240Zs used less that 200lbs.

You said you used 800lb springs, it must have been solid, I could only just push my car down at 250lb.

Rally Design list hundreds of springs and they only go up to 600lb.

What am I missing here?

I know it could carry rear seat passengers with luggage but........
 
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On the IRS models, the poundage is higher. Alot higher !

For the record, this car is a 160U SSS and not 160J SSS. The U was a south africa only model ( local assembly).
 
The stock springs are around the 350lb mark and Nigel is right in that the modified cars use anything from 800 - 1100 lb.

Remember on these cars ( 510, 610, 710 models), the rear spring and rear shock absorbers are mounted at at separate points. That may explain the higher spring poundage as effectively the spring sits in isolation ?
 
Any diagrams of the rear suspension?

There must be a lot of leverage to push those 800lb springs! Wouldn't like to use a spring compressor on them.
 
Nigel Brook said:
Maybe Rob but they worked as per Andy Dawson no less:thumbs:
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Andy Dawson was a rally legend in my day!

I was an Imp, Avenger guy and he was someone who had a practical brain and could drive.

If he said you needed 1000 lb springs I'd go with it.

His website with nice Datsun pics:

http://www.dawsonautodevelopments.co.uk/

This car needs buying and developing into an Historic Rally car. I have no space which is a great shame.
 
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