Another ad! My 1987 Bluebird for sale (Sold!)

[Spottedlaurel]

As submitted on the Datsun forum:

 

Need for an estate car and the budget to only run one 'toy' car means this one ought to go, anyone interested?

 

 

60k from new, had done 55k when I bought it in Spetember last year from its second owner.

 

 

Towbar with single electrics, used only for a small trailer by the last owner.

 

 

Facelift means the CA20S has a carb and auto choke. Always started very well, runs just fine, I changed the thermostat. Due an oil change, I can chuck a 5l can in to sweeten the deal and I imagine Will can get hold of a filter cheap enough for you.

 

 

 

 

Interior is in great shape, and really quite plush - brilliant seats, it's a very nice place to spend time. Mirrors are electric and heated, handy in winter and on damp days. Every element on the HRW works. Got PAS of course, but manual windows and no central locking. Sunroof is an aftermarket one, but no leaks! Rear seats fold down so long loads can be accommodated (like the ex-Woolies shelving I bought). Marks on the rear seats are just from the child seats that usually sit there, they'll disappear after a while.

 

 

 

Worst bits of bodywork would be bit of a scrape on the front LH corner, LH sill/arch area and the front valance.

 

I had four new 185/70 Sportiva tyres fitted (now done about 4000 miles) and new shoes, pads and a couple of brake hoses very recently. MoT and tax are both due about end of July.

 

Working out a value from the tax, tyres and basic value of it to a banger racer once the T&T are up I reckon it has a value of about £375* (at which I'm taking a fair loss, but I have to be realistic about its value). It'll continue to be a cracking daily for somebody I'm sure.

 

*Or less if I get to keep the tyres, as they'd be perfect for the Laurel - preferably bring your own wheels, or I'll swap an old but legal set onto it.

[Spottedlaurel]

Hmmm. Nobody?I had what I would consider my defining drive in this car today - cracking weather and on my own on a 190-mile jaunt around Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambs and Essex on the hunt for a Primera estate. Successful as it happens, though I needn't have strayed any further further from Norwich in the end But hey, it was nice weather and the roads were fairly quiet - I was on a particularly cracking road between Newmarket and Haverhill and found myself grinning involuntarily.Really, if you or anyone you know needs a car to uncomplainingly get you about and provide a surprising amount of fun then please let me know.I don't particularly want to renew the classic policy on it when that's due next month - if it's still here then I'll cash the tax in, swap the tyres over then put it on the 'bay...

[pogweasel]

I know *someone* who this would suit down to a tee - looking for cheap, reliable transport for man + wife + 2 kids + occasional trailer. However I KNOW that aforementioned wife would spit the dummy over it not being a 'quality' brand Wasn't there a saying 'beggars can't be choosers'? I know I'd prefer this over a rotter golf 1 MoT cert away from the scrappy. That said you'd probably not want to sell such a lovely car to this individual, given past form...

[Spottedlaurel]

It's a cheap Bluebird - would Russell (just a guess) be any worse than it getting raced?

[Guest]

Nissan aren't a quality brand? I must have hugely low standards.

[pogweasel]

Probably not, though it'd end up with a horrid DIY paint job either which way

[Milford Cubicle]

What variety of Primera wagon did you get?I like Primeras, they are very decent to drive and competent in nearly every way, but a bit characterless, maybe because they do everything so well.

[whitevanman]

Hang fire, got to get my mate to have a look, he needs a new motor, give me 48 hours before you do anything

[Spottedlaurel]

P11 facelift, mega-spec 2.0SE+, which I pick up next weekend. About the most expensive Primera you could buy in 1999, list price over £20k! While I wouldn't say my test-drive of it was in any way challenging or demanding, so I can't say much about handling etc, it had a nice feel and lovely weighting to its controls. Which can also be said of the Bluebird, and to me that counts for a lot, more so than a car with amazing dynamics yet the switchgear feels like it's got grit in it or will snap at any moment.

[Milford Cubicle]

I am with you there, my mother's P11 Primera feels pretty unburstable - just a shame it's the gutless 1.6. Hers is pretty keen to drive though, with sharp steering and handling. The ride is a bit choppy though.I wouldn't mind one, as the older French and German cars I've owned recently just seem to fall to bits, while the Japanese ones just kept going without a murmur.

[VWPowered]

blimey weird how you used to see millions of these things, love by taxi drivers across the land..now i've seen one around here in 5 years

[55bloke]

I'm seriously tempted by that, but the rust in the rear door shut worries me. Yes, I know you can't expect a minter for that money, but it looks like a bit of prodding would prove that to be a fairly major MoT issue. Any thoughts?

[Spottedlaurel]

Price reduced to £300 (no haggling) for quick sale, but I must know ASAP if you’re interested as otherwise I’ll be cashing the tax in on April 30 (tomorrow!).Difficult to say about the door shut area – at that price I’m simply selling it as something that can be used until the T&T run out then would recoup a bit of money by selling as a banger. If it gets through another MoT without too much grief or expense then that would be a bonus.Yes, I could take it for an MoT myself but at £300 I haven’t exactly got a lot of profit in it! I’ll be better off cashing the tax in, using the tyres on the Laurel then flogging it as a banger myself. By selling it I’m just giving someone the chance to use it for a bit longer, which I can’t do shortly as the classic insurance policy it’s on is up for renewal next week and I don’t want to renew it.With fairly significant works continuing on the house (and the Laurel to spend time and money on) I sadly can’t consider this car as a project so I need to dispose of it by the most expedient means possible. Price won’t go any lower than the above (unless I’ve cashed the tax in) simply because of the tyres – I’d be pretty stupid to sell the car as it sits for virtually nothing then have to go and buy a set of new tyres for nigh-on £200...

[CortinaDave]

paging whitevanman..... tax and test and unbreakable..this has you written all over it!!! get it bought!I dont think even lol could kill one of these

[VWPowered]

i'd have it like a shot if its was closer to me...

[Spottedlaurel]

Usually not a great excuse, but I think an exception can be made in your case!

[Spottedlaurel]

Tax is now off it, but it's still here.

 

Had the odd enquiry off my C&C ad, interestingly one from a Craig Cheetham. Name rang a bell, maybe coincidence but there is an motoring author/journalist of that name - anyone else heard of him? Google turned up this rather long review of one of his books:

 

http://www.ciao.co.uk/The_World_s_Worst ... ew_5704822

[seth]

He was writing for PC a few years ago I think. Had one (or two?) 60's Cadillac limos?

[dollywobbler]

He was writing for PC a few years ago I think. Had one (or two?) 60's Cadillac limos?

Nope. That was Nigel Boothman. He's up in Scotland now. Craig Cheetham used to write for a certain weekly paper... ;-)Though I imagine he may have done some gloss stuff too.

[Spottedlaurel]

Good, so I wasn't imagining it.

[andrew e]

A strange choice for the man behind Vauxhall Heritage in Luton...

[r.welfare]

Craig Cheetham did write for PC about 10 years ago. Didn't last long though.

[craigcheetham]

Hello,'Craig Cheetham' here to clear up some confusion, and writing under my real name too...Yes, I did used to work for PC. I was there as a work experience student in the summer of 1997 and I had a blue Allegro that I loved a lot because I'm affected that way.I then worked on Classic Car Weekly for about three years, followed by a year on Land Rover Owner and six years writing about new Shite for Auto Express. These days I work in media communications for GM - so am also 'the man behind the Vauxhall Heritage Centre', as well as 'the man behind the Top Gear reasonably priced car, (usually pushing it, because some numpty has broken it)...'And I've written some books on old cars, including 'The World's Worst Cars', most of the pictures were of my own beloved Autoshite, as despite being only 31 I've owned in the region of 150 cars. So you're all right.As for the Bluebird, tis indeed me going to have a look. I've always secretly loved them ever since I achieved one of life's milestones in one as a 17 yr old. I won't bore/frighten you with the details.

[Guest]

As for the Bluebird, tis indeed me going to have a look. I've always secretly loved them ever since I achieved one of life's milestones in one as a 17 yr old. I won't bore/frighten you with the details.

Well we've all got to pass the driving test in something ;)Welcome, sounds like you're a good fit here. I'm trying to find something to say about your current job without sounding sarcastic, but I'm struggling what with the whole GM situation so I'll leave it there

[craigcheetham]

Let's just say 'interesting times'... and leave it at that!Besides, I've always liked Fiats. I passed my driving test in a Panda, ironically.Perfect fit? You tell me. But the current fleet is:2009 Vauxhall Astra (yes, I know)1995 MGF1994 Peugeot 106 1.1 (for sale, £450)1988 Merc 190E1984 Austin Mini1986 Bedford CF Camper1980 Land Rover Series 31965 Rover 2000 P6And maybe, most probably, a 'Thunderbird', as we always used to call my mates car of which I have such memories. I guess the fleet makes me far from normal, and I like that.

[dollywobbler]

Hi CraigFar from normal works well here, we don't take well to fancy strangers invading aarrrr land!

[craigcheetham]

I know you...

[dollywobbler]

Aye...

[garycox]

Oooh, GET YER MINI OUT! Is it a suitably shitey one, like a beige City E or summat?

[Spottedlaurel]

Hi Craig! Just replying to your email. Good job I didn't say anything rude about you...