Nissan’s Silvia, sold in the United States as the Datsun 200SX, was a popular personal luxury coupe during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The S110 Silvia was the final generation of this model to be sold in the US, and today’s Junkyard Find is a well-preserved example of a 1983 Datsun 200SX. This car was sold for an MSRP of $7,999 in 1983, which is equivalent to $24,812 in 2023 dollars. The Plymouth Sapporo and Dodge Challenger, which were essentially identical to the 200SX, were sold for $8,323 in 1983 ($25,817 today).
The 200SX faced competition from Detroit’s personal luxury coupes, such as the Dodge Mirada and Chrysler Cordoba, which cost $9,011 and $9,580 respectively in 1983 ($27,951 and $29,716 today). The S110 Silvia was discontinued after the 1983 model year, along with other personal luxury coupes like the Ford Fairmont Futura and Mercury Zephyr Z-7. These cars were sold for MSRPs of $6,666 and $6,442 respectively in 1983 ($20,677 and $19,982 after inflation).
This particular 200SX was purchased new in San Luis Obispo, California for $8,244. It is equipped with a 2.2-liter SOHC straight-four engine that produces 102 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque. The base transmission is a five-speed manual, while an optional three-speed automatic cost an additional $350 ($1,086 today). This car also has air conditioning, which was a $640 option ($1,985 in 2023 dollars).
The interior of this 200SX is in good condition, with full gauges and a digital clock. The final mileage on the car was just over 200,000 miles, an impressive feat for a car of its era. While there is some rust and graffiti tagging, the body is mostly solid.
The S110 200SX doesn’t seem to have much of an enthusiast following in these parts, but it was once a highly sought-after car. Datsun commercials from the era boasted of the car’s exciting driving experience and macho appeal. The hatchback version was particularly popular, and dealers were eager to clear out their remaining inventory of 1970s throwbacks by the end of the 1983 model year.
In conclusion, the Datsun 200SX was a popular personal luxury coupe during the late 1970s and early 1980s. This particular 1983 model is a well-preserved example of the final year of the S110 Silvia, and it is equipped with a range of standard and optional features. While it may not have a large enthusiast following today, it was once a highly sought-after car that offered an exciting driving experience.
