1989 Nissan Sunny 1.3DX 3 Dr Estate
(Featured on 18th December 2011)
Make: Nissan
Model: Sunny
Year: 1989
Mileage: 42,000
Registration: G881 KAV
Sellers original description:
A superb nissan sunny 1.3 dx 4 door estate.
Totally original condition with all of its factory applied panels and the almost all of its original paint finish.
Just one elderly owner from new, garaged and cherished and a genuine mileage of just 42,000 supported by dealer history and old mot’s.
The first nissan sunny, exported as the datsun 1000, was launched in september 1966.
By 1982 the b11 model was launched. It was the first to abandon the datsun name and was regarded as one of the most modern ranges of the era featuring standard items only offered as extras by much of its competition.
The b11’s were also the first front-wheel-drive sunny’s—predating the same shift to front-wheel drive by their main rival the toyota corolla.
In 1985 the sunny was changed once more for the model b12 which stayed in production until 1990.
Today japanese cars (and motorbikes) from the 70’s and 80’s are becoming hugely popular and collectable. The sunny estate is a rare car now and as always low mileage original condition examples are the most highly sought after.
G881 kav
A rare nissan sunny 1.3 dx 4 door estate finished in the colour and trim combination that suits it best.
G881 kav was registered to its first, and only, owner on the 10th august 1989.
The new owner had purchased the car for his retirement from nissan dealers doughty walker ltd of ely cambridgeshire. According to the new vehicle invoice present in the history file he paid £7050 for it.
No extras show on the invoice and none have been added since. G881 kav is totally standard specification.
The car was used infrequently in its early days and kept garaged when not in use.
Servicing was carried out by the supplying dealer and there are 10 stamps in the service book.
Today, almost 23 years since being first registered g881 kav has a covered a genuine mileage of just 42,310.
There are a number of old mot’s in the history file and a letter from the owner’s son, the owner has had to give up driving, confirming that his farther owned the car from new and that the mileage is the total covered since new.
The in dash radio, fitted was standard, remains and there are no modifications of any sort the car. It is totally standard specification, although being a nissan that specification is of course high.
Bodywork:
When we acquired the car all the panels and paint would seem to be factory original and the owner’s son told us that as far as he was aware no paint rectification had ever been carried out.
There was a minor dent to the o/s/r lower wing and a small scrape to the wheel arch that probably occurred at the same time. We have had our body shop rectify both of these.
We also had them straighten a couple of light dents in both bumpers, which has left a little distortion, that had been recent result of parking incidents by the now elderly owner before he gave up driving.
A few chips and minor blemishes have been touched in with a touch up brush over the years and a few hairline scratches and marks remain in the paint.
G881 kav is remarkably rust free for a 23 year old nissan and we cannot see that any structural welding has ever been carried out. There are no areas of rust on the body and as we say none has been repaired in the past. However two small very neat repairs have been made to the rear wheel arches, you would be hard pushed to spot them though and we have never seen a sunny that has not got them.
The sides are very straight with just one or two barely visible dimple dings.
The paint work retains a deep lustre.
The door boot and bonnet shuts are excellent.
Interior:
The interior really is exemplary.
The grey cloth trim contrasts superbly with the red.
The seats have had seat covers from new and are unmarked.
The front and rear carpets have had fitted nissan rubber over mats from new and consequently are also unmarked. The rubber mats have been retained and are back in place now.
The rear seat looks as though it may well have never been used.
The headlining, dash, and door cards are all unmarked and this is not a car that has ever seen cigarette smoke, the lighter is unused.
Unused jack, in its correct place under front seat.
The floors below the carpets are perfect with no signs whatsoever of rust, please let us have an email address for pictures.
Rear seat belts.
Under the bonnet:
There is lots of room around the tried tested and much loved 1270cc engine.
The engine bay, as you may expect with 42,000 miles, is exceptionally clean and original with original stickers still in place.
In the boot:
Spare wheel below with original tyre.
Jack and wheel brace.
Unmarked boot mat and trim.
Original tool bag with unused tools.
On the road:
The car starts on the button with automatic choke.
Runs on unleaded petrol.
On the road the car drives like a dream. It feels tight and drives just how a 42,000 mile car should.
The car changes up and down its gear box smoothly.
It is clear just how far advanced nissan were in the eighties over their competition and how they could claim the b11 to be one of the most modern cars of the era.
I really enjoyed driving this car it has a great eighties classic feel coupled with more modern extras and comforts.
Everything tested worked and it is glaringly obvious from the off set that this has been a well maintained and cared for car.
Summary:
G881 kav is a very special nissan sunny that looks great and drives superbly. It is the much rarer estate version, it’s had just one owner, travelled only 42,000 miles and whilst not quite perfect overall it’s pretty close to it. You would be hard pushed to find a better one.
If keep in its present condition it should prove a sound investment. Consequently it will be of interest to investors as well as collectors and enthusiasts.
It would also, however, make a fantastic and fun car for use on a day to day basis or to show. Being an estate of course it’s also a very practical classic to get all your camping gear in for those classic car weekends.
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