You might be surprised. I don't think I've talked to anyone who doesn't know what a 200B is? As long as I throw in the word 'Datsun' most people seem to know what I'm talking about.
I've found it to be a 50/50 thing with people liking the Bluebirds, they either love them or hate them. Then there's the thing that most people's attitude towards them changes instantly as soon as they get in my car... As soon as they sit down they're carrying on about how comfy the seats are and how cool it looks inside.
I've had a few (older) people stop me and tell me how they used to own one from new and say about how awesome it was. I haven't had a single person say they owned one and didn't like it...
As for the chrome bumper syndrome, I think that comes from Holdens and Fords... Early Commodores and 80's onwards Falcons aren't worth much at the moment (they are going up) but most of the older ones are worth a little bit. I wouldn't take less than 10-12 grand for my EH...
On that matter, it actually seems that the value of Bluebirds is increasing slightly - for my current one I paid 3 times what my old one cost and it was unrego'd... Then again that's not hard seeing my old one only set me back $100.
I agree with you, most ppl when I say I own a Golf then tell them I also have a Datsun their first question is, "what model?" I say 180B and they offten tell me how they used to have one back in Uni or how their mates had one or like my previous boss who's mum had a SSS as a company car when she worked for Myers of all places back in the 70s....
They do have a nostalgic value more than a financial one, back when I used to drive to the city and back ppl would always slow down to have a look and even take a photo, or pull up next to me at the lights and have a bit of a chat.
Some ppl may think it's a rust bucket when I first mention it, but once I show them a photo or see it for them selves that totally changes...