1968 Datsun 2000 Roadster Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the Day

• Before the 240Z arrived, the Datsun roadster showed that Japan could deliver sports-car thrills.

• This example has the later 2.0-liter engine, with twin SU carburetors and a recent rebuild.

• The auction runs through February 28.

When the Datsun 240Z landed in California for the 1970 model year, many were shocked that Japan could produce a world-class budget-friendly sports car. Those who were more familiar with Datsun weren't so surprised: There'd been a sporting Datsun in U.S. showrooms for the past five years.

Here, up for sale on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is one of the best of the breed. This Datsun 2000 roadster is a zippy little open car that combines the best elements of open British sports cars with a gutsy 2.0-liter engine and Japanese build quality. With the auction slated to end on Tuesday, February 28, bidding is currently at $11,500.

Car and Driver tagged the Datsun 2000 Roadster as a future collectible way back in 2010. Known as the SRL311 in Datsun cognoscenti circles, the 2000 Roadster was raced by Bob Sharp and John Morton, and it continually posted class wins in SCCA racing. It was the cheapest sports car in its division, but it beat the pants off everything else anyway.

Overseas, the SRL311 was known as the Fairlady, as was true of the 240Z. The Fairlady nameplate can trace its heritage back to the 1950s, with the second generation of cars arriving in the U.S. in 1960. These cars are pretty and cheerful but fairly terrible to drive. They were based on the Datsun pickup truck, and they feel like it.