3. Datsun Fairlady Roadster
Everybody knows that Japanese manufacturers started as downsized copies of European and American cars. One of the most interesting Japanese copies of European cars was a cute and compact Datsun Fairlady Roadster built from 1959 to 1970 that was also known as Datsun Sports.
The design, technology and the feel were directly borrowed from British roadsters, especially from Triumph and MG. However, Datsun did more than just copying the British. It gave the little roadster some significant power with the 2.0-liter engine, better handling, and driving dynamics. And, most importantly, it guaranteed the quality of the cars which is something that British examples had difficulties with. Datsun made over 40,000 of those cool little cars over an 11-year production period with most of them sold in the USA, of course, with left-hand drive.