Hello,
I must agree that the early 1500 dashes were stunning. From the circular
ashtry to the chrome grab handle... they are certainly a dash designed out of
the 50's and early 60's using the "glamorous cars" as examples. But I feel
Datsun moved away from that look as part of a change of attitute about the
car. (Amongst other reasons too). The dashes changed to a "performance"
look. As a matter of fact, it is the same look that Porsche used for many
years on their 911's. Hey, quite possibly copied from the Datsun Roadsters!
Yeah, right! But non-the-less... it was a change with the trends in the
automotive market. The 1500 dashes may look great now but at that time they
were a design that was showing its age. Trends sell cars. (Okay performance
too) Take a look at the '65 1500 and you will see the "so-called" ugly dash.
There was no way Nissan was going to stay with an outdated style. The
European marques had changed and that was where the sports car sales were.
The European models were sucking the exhaust fumes on the track but Nissan
was still stuck with an outdated, non-performance orientated dash design.
Many other reasons the dashes changed were because of DOT Standards. I
believe that the chrome ringed gauges of the late 1500 and early 1600 dashes
were spectacular. But according to DOT safety laws Nissan had to remove the
chrome. Too shiny! Look at the steering wheel hub. Look at how the
windshield frame was painted silver over the chrome. The shifter plate, the
parking brake handle, rear view mirror, placement of the ignition key... etc.
But these changes don't make the 67 gauges ugly either. Everybody had to go
to the blacked out, dulled chrome look.
Personally, I like the '66 1600 gauges the best. But there is somethjing to
be said about a 67.5 U20 gauge that reads 160mph! Yes! But as you know, the
flat metal split gauge dash was short lived as the new safety dashes were
employed in '68. And yes, they may not look as vintage the the previous
generations they are still wonderful. I like the warmth of those dashes as
well as the slightly modern look. If I had a car with the later dash I would
have changed all of the gauges to modern style gauges. I would really employ
alot of the modern dash styles you see today.
Beauty is personal preferance. The markets preference. And the change in
style was based on that too. Remember, back then the cars were modern and
cutting edge. Okay... enough said.
<Time to fire up the ignition and activate the gauges and just let those
Solex's howl down the street!>
Take care!
Michael "Calspeed" Carion
67.5 SRL311-000248 Solex
San Francsico, Ca
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