Datsun has begun the fifth year of its operations in South Africa since re-entering the market in 2014. The company is strengthening its legacy built between the 1960s and the 1980s, when it had established itself one of the most loved car brands in South Africa.
Given Datsun’s reputation for building strong and reliable cars, it’s no surprise that many of the vehicles from that era are still in use decades later. The Datsun Heritage Museum in Bothaville, Free State, serves testimony to the legacy of Datsun enthusiasm.
Owned by car enthusiast Freek de Kock, the museum has a collection of 118 Datsun and Nissan vehicles including a 240Z; a 1600 SSS; a 1971 first generation Nissan Skyline GT-R coupe, together with five other GT-Rs including the R35; the 1970 Nissan President V8 limousine that was owned by the late Mozambican President, Samora Machel; a Pulsar; a 1200 GX; a Laurel; and many others. Most of the cars are in working order. Those that aren’t are being lovingly restored in Freek’s workshop.
