This Datsun Traveled 37,000 miles on a North American Road Trip

The average American driver puts 13,500 miles per year on their car. Mr. Scott Fisher of Las Vegas, Nevada, added that many to the odometer of his 1967 Datsun Roadster in just the first three months of a recently-completed road trip that ultimately took him to forty-eight U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces. By the time Scott pulled into his garage in Las Vegas for the first time in eight months, he had covered 37,850 miles of the North American countryside.

Deciding that an extended road trip was the best way to unwind after sixteen years of business stress, Scott briefly considered a modern ride but opted instead to entrust his travels to a 46 year-old Datsun that he would come to call "The Optimist."

"What you're driving on your road trip will be a huge part of the experience," noted Scott in a January 2014 interview with Petrolicious, "so I decided that a less all-around and less capable vehicle that had considerably more character and exuberance would be a much better choice."

Aside from a few mechanical hiccups, the Roadster gobbled up the miles like a champ, carrying Scott along rough logging roads, over mountain passes, and through Times Square -- all with the top down, of course.

The car, says Scott, "feels more like a faithful dog that may raise an eyebrow to some of your more harebrained plans, but will totally give 100% to make it happen. I try not to anthropomorphize too much, but the car is an optimist, and it's the perfect companion for a trip like this."

Even a run-in with a deer in Utah -- from which, Scott points out, the Datsun emerged bruised but victorious -- couldn't slow the Roadster as it barreled through the final miles of Scott's adventure. Now at home in Scott's garage, the little Optimist has certainly earned its upcoming restoration.

Drive Tastefully®

[Alby]

Modern day cars will never age as well as this classic.

[neilsummers]

Precious memories. Thank you. I had a 67-1/2 1600. Never left me stranded up and down the west coast. I hope it landed in the right hands. Been 37 years since I've seen it. What a great car. I traded my Chev truck for it it a stop light. Followed he guy home and we traded pink slips and I drove home the roadster.

[andrewb.]

I love the addition of the old now I feel like taking a road-trip!

[FlyingAero]

Love it when people tell me I "cant" daily drive my Z or think itll be unreliable or expensive to own. Cheap to buy, cheap to own, cheap to insure, easy to work on, tons of fun, decent fuel economy etc. No distractions, just you, the car, and the road. 

[Bostonclassics]

Can never see this story enough, this is a great story.  There's an old phrase; "Happy Motoring".  Safe travels and keep up the great blogging.

[Tmrfe]

To live vicariously through someone’s video diary, is a poor substitute, but for now, I’ll enjoy them. Till my day comes....thank you.

[johnfiskin]

I also have never seen this car before and I am quite impressed with the styling, the back end is particularly nice. That must be a lot of fun travelling around the country in such a beautiful car with just your thoughts and the sound of the engine.

[slipstream]

Nicely done, sir.  I owned a 1969 2000 Roadster which I will never forget that can hear it now.

[Barclay]

My second car was a 1967 1600 roadster. Great memories. Traded it away in 1973, would love to have it now. 😎

[viralfire]

Love this. My dad had a Datsun 240B when I was just a kid...and have loved Datsun/Nissan since.

[RobertoBaldwin]

the sound of that motor brings me back to being 16 driving my first car, a Datsun 2000 Roadster. God I miss that car.

[Teamshmo]

I never thought driving around the country would be that fun, but it actually looked awesome. So many different things to see and not as many miles as I would of guessed. 

[mnelson]

I had one just like this, from 67 to 69. Wish I still had it. Nice toes one running!

[anotherone]

Car: 'Make sure you get my good side' :P

[jackwhorton]

Awesome. Cool guy and an inspiring video. Totally agree with his point about roadsters allowing you to be part of the countryside with the smells and sounds etc.

[JETX]

Just picked up a Datsun 1600 for full restoration. It will be years of hard work, as the car is pretty raw, but I'll keep watching this video to know what the end of the restoration will bring!

[cominginloaded]

What a beautiful car, and a very impressive road trip

[renatorenatoff]

This is awesome, I just enjoy the video so much, keep traveling and being happy man. Have a good one

[resevoirdog]

the last two videos you guyd have done are absolutely fantastic!!!

[promerops]

Those old Datsuns are really rugged and reliable. A friend had a 1960s Bluebird 1300 that just would not give up.