For sale: 1966 2 Door Sports Sedan Daytona Studebaker
Specifications
Paint color code
Red
Trim colour and material
Creme vinyl
Mileage
3. Interior features: Datsun 180B SSS (Bluebird 610)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
- The Australian market 180B SSS appears to have been fitted with two different dashboard and steering wheel designs.
- Steering wheel designs included:
- Wheel 1: 3 spoke design with a vinyl wrapped rim (each spoke having two rectangular holes) with a circular central Boss and “SSS” badge in the middle.
- Wheel 2: 3 spoke design with wooden rim, the spokes were flat plastic finish, and had a “D” badge in the middle and twin horn buttons on the upper spokes. This wheel was fitted to the vast majority of 180B SSSs in Australia.
- Two types of dashboard were applied as follows
- Type 1: The instruments on this dashboard were contained in circular surrounds in the cluster. A separate triple cluster to the left of the main cluster contained Fuel, oil pressure and temperature gauges. On this dashboard design, the radio was mounted lower on the dash below the air vents. This dashboard was always accompanied by Wheel 1 (described above)
- Type 2: The more commonly fitted dash had more rectangular gauge surrounds, and did not have the separate cluster to the left of the main instruments. Instead, a radio was located to the left of the instruments, and the RHS instrument incorporated fuel and temperature, but no oil pressure gauge was included. This dashboard was always accompanied by Wheel 2 (described above)
- A metric odometer was applied from September 1973.
- Additional warning lamps were also applied to the SSS, including a Brake pressure warning (illuminating when fluid is low), and a Low fuel warning light, illuminating when fuel reached below 8L.
- 3-speed wipers were fitted as standard.
- A woodgrain vinyl laminate was applied to the instrument panels and central console. A Datsun badge was applied to the woodgrain panel above the glovebox lid. The rest of the dash was a black vinyl finish.
- Seats had nylon cloth facings and “leatherette” vinyl bolsters which incorporated a pattern embossed in the material. The seats were unique to the hardtop (ensuring sufficient headroom given the reduced roof space.
- Like the seats, door and rear quarter trim cards were vinyl embossed with decorative patterns and trimmed to match the seats. The door mounted arm rest / handle was always a black vinyl finish. Windows were manual wind-up.
- Australian vehicles were available with a cassette player as an option. A 1974 model brochure confirms a Clarion player was available. Other systems may have been available in different years.
- Fresh air ventilation (not air conditioning) was fitted as standard. Air conditioning was optional.
- Other standard features included an anti-glare rear vision mirror, electric rear window demister and laminated windscreen.
- 180 B SSS trim colours in the Australian market included Brown (tan), blue, black and creme. Brown appears to be the most common trim fitted. Carpets were trimmed to match the seat trim colour. 180B SSS trim did not preserve well, and we’ve struggled to find good image examples. If anyone can assist with good images of their original trim colour, please contact the author by clicking the button at the top of this page.
Transmission
Manual (floor shift)
Engine Type
8 cylinder
Vehicle location
United States , Michigan , Grand Haven
A nice 66 Daytona sports sedan spotted on Facebook in Feb 2023. This one was not for sale, but recently purchased by a member of a Studebaker Group who shared the details of the car with the group. No ID numbers provided, and the car looks to have a fair few minor modifications. But the interior looks original and the car overall is in very nice condition. Not many of these left!