KC,
In short I don't think so. The best safety improvements were the dual brake
circuit and collapsible steering column that later cars have. Not to mention
disc brakes and head rests. None of this necessitated a dash change. Besides I
think if you saw them side by side you would agree that the dash changes did not
make it any less metallic. I think it was more of a misguided attempt to mimic
the design changes American manufacturers were employing to some real benefit.
Many manufacturers changed during this period to incorporate a feeling of more
"technology". Technology is a neutral term. Some times it's usefully applied and
other times poorly adapted. Sometimes the design just gets overly complicated
for minimal benefit. The comic strip "Dilbert" could have been published decades
ago! Of course I would have to agree that some design elements of the 1500 are
really silly. The windshield wipers come to mind.
Tim C.
2 '64 1500 Fairlady's
KC Brager wrote:
> Could some of this redesign be due to some of the "safety upgrades"
> happening in this time period? I'm curious, never seen a 1500 but, someone
> described it as having a "metal" dash. Alot of these type (hard, sharp edge
> designs) were being redone due to new crash tests just being started at this
> time. It's my understanding that's why gauges where redesigned to be easier
> to read, side marker lights were added, better "larger" lights or more of
> them, new bumper designs, etc...
>
> Just a thought...
>
> KC Brager lbwll@visi.com
> CRA (Central Roadracing Assoc.) WebMaster www.cra-mn.org
> A bend in the road, is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make
> the turn. - unknown
>
> ----------
> >From: "Arlo J. Levisen" <alevisen@gdhscats.org>
> >To: Datsun Roadster List <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
> >Subject: Dashes and Consoles
> >Date: Tue, Sep 7, 1999, 8:18 AM
> >
>
> >I will also add my comments, as the owner of a pair of 1500s. We
> >recently had a chance to see and study our first 1600 (still have never
> >seen a 2000) and both the owner of the 1600 and I remarked on how much
> >nicer a dash design the 1500 has when compared side by side. Both of my
> >dashes are still in perfect condition and the area covered by the
> >console in the 1600 is simply bare carpet in the 1500. Very functional
> >and still nice looking.
> >
> >I would also add that when you stand and view the 1500 dash from the
> >rear, they built in a "dual-cowl" look that is really neat and they
> >should have carried that forward. We also have a nice little
> >"hand-grab" on the rider's side.
> >
> >Further, the dash gauges on the 1500 are simple, stark and say "sports
> >car". On the 1600 they say Buick or Cadillac or something like that -
> >certainly not "sports car".
> >
> >I now feel, sorry to say, that in their attempt to upgrade, they lost
> >some neat styling cues that were spent on a very low production car.
> >
> >Later,
> >
> >Arlo Levisen
> >Revillo, South Dakota
> >
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