At 51, Adam Green is not just a web designer and developer living in the picturesque village of Kilbrittain; he is a passionate advocate for Datsun cars. His love for these classic vehicles intertwines with his journey through music, technology, and art. In a conversation with Truls Harte, Adam reflects on how a chance encounter at a Dublin car show ignited his passion for the Datsun brand and inspired a unique artistic project.
Adam’s academic background includes a Masters in Music Technology from Trinity College Dublin, which he completed in the late 90s. After returning home from his travels in Australia, he was inspired to create a musical installation in memory of his late friend, Alex, a fellow Datsun enthusiast. Thus, the Datsun 120Y was transformed into the ‘DatsIncredible’ installation,” an innovative musical experience that combined automotive nostalgia with electronic soundscapes.
With the support of the Dublin Fringe Festival and the Arts Council, Adam and his team debuted their experimental art piece on Temple Bar Square, Dublin, in 2000. The installation offered the public an engaging opportunity to interact with the car in ways they had never imagined.
One of the most intriguing features of the installation was its ability to record and manipulate sound. Participants could hold down the horn to loop their voices, distorting them with the car’s controls. Every aspect of the vehicle, from the lights to the seats, was wired to produce sounds, effectively transforming the Datsun into an avant-garde musical instrument. Opening the door elicited a “scary cave” sound, while sitting in the driver’s seat triggered the roar of a V8 engine, humorously disproportionate to the modest size of the Datsun 120Y. The installation cleverly subverted expectations, merging nostalgia with a futuristic experience.
After touring various festivals across Ireland, the Datsun returned to its original purpose as a fully functioning vehicle. Adam, a self-proclaimed Datsun purist, still affectionately refers to it as the ‘DatsIncredible’.
Although the Datsun brand faded into obscurity in the 1980s, overtaken by Nissan, Adam’s project serves as a unique homage to the iconic carmaker.
Today, the ‘DatsIncredible’ remains a cherished part of the Green family in Kilbrittain.
So, it’s a 1200 cc/1.2 litre engine?
Yes, 1200 (120Y), it’s the second version of the Datsun Sunny. The original would have been a Datsun 1200 from the late 60s, early 70s. This 120Y is probably from about 72-73 onwards.
What year is yours?
My particular one was made in 74, so it’s 50-years-old now. The guy I bought it off had just finished restoring it and I got it for a bargain.
So it was mint?
Yes, like new. It had originally belonged to a police officer in Portadown, Northern Ireland. It had been left in a shed for 20 years so it had only done about 22,000 miles at the time he rebuilt it.
Does your car have a
nickname?
I don’t really have an affectionate name for it but we’ll go with ‘DatsIncredible’. The Aussie’s used to call them ‘Dato’s’.
Would you ever own a
Nissan?
You’ll never see me in a Nissan. I’ll be a true Datsun purist forever more. If anyone ever tries to get me into a Nissan taxi, I always have severe recoil!
Is this a fun or a fuzzy car?
When it’s going well, it’s reliable. Although it has been conking out a lot over the last few years and my wife Lucy has had to tow me home from Bandon and other places. I think I have that figured out now though…It’s a matter of running the car regularly and not letting condensation get into the carburetor and other parts.
When it’s running, it’s lovely, great fun to drive. Actually the exhaust did blow out of it a few years ago and I had to get a new one. I managed to get one shipped down from the North, which is a bit gruntier sounding, has a bit more growl to it, so that’s fun too.
Is it hotter now than back when it was new?
Oh hell yeah. Japanese retro is all the rage.
Do people dig your Datsun?
Oh yeah there is a lot of Datsun love. It draws out all the characters who learned to drive in them. Datsun was the best selling car in the British Isles in 1976 but within five to 10 years they were all gone, disintegrated.
Is it a fast car?
The odometer goes up to 100. I have driven it as far as the needle can go!
How many cars have you owned and what?
1. 1967 Chrysler Valiant (Australia)
2. 1977 Datsun Cherry 100A-FII. Canary yellow.
3. 1990 BMW 318i estate E30
4. 1974 Datsun Sunny / 120Y, 2dr sedan. (DatsIncredible)
5. 1991 BMW 318i estate E30
6. 1972 Datsun Sunny / 1200, 4dr deluxe
7. 2002 VW Polo 1.9 SDI diesel
8. 1998 Ford Fiesta (grandmother’s)
9. 2004 Audi A6 1.9TDI estate
10. 2000 Honda HRV (grandfather’s)
11. 2013 Toyota Rav AWD
12. 2008 Golf TSI GT Sport
What’s the closest competitor to your Datsun?
Toyota Corolla, Ford Escort or Opel Cadet
What driving style do you think it suits?
It depends who’s in it with me! These days I treat her gently but I would have been a bit of a boy racer in my youth. The 120Y is not as fun as the 1200, which had a sprightliness to it. I’d love to get another 1200 fastback.
Is there anything special about the interior?
It has a nice original granny’s tea cosy carpet, very sticky vinyl seats with a distinctive smell and it is pre-headrests. The backseat just has one little lap belt so whoever is in the back can fly around!
Do you know many people with the same car?
Not many. I’ve only met a few at local vintage shows; someone at Barryroe Show with a 100AF2 and I came across a nice cherry 100A at Innishannon Vintage a few years ago.
Do any of your family share your interest in vintage cars?
My wife likes them, she just wouldn’t buy one. I drag the kids to every car show that’s on, which has probably killed their interest! They wince and sigh at the prospect but when we get there they actually love it.
Future plans for your Datsun?
My wife’s future plans for the Datsun are to convert it into a camper van or to sell it and buy a camper van! My future plans are to keep it going. It’s just that finding parts for about-to-go-extinct vehicles can be difficult.
Is it for sale?
Always for sale at the right price, even though it would be an emotional parting. “Or exchange for a camper,” adds Lucy.
