The legend of Datman

[Steroid]

A few of You might have seen these banks on ebay:

 

 

 

After several un-sucessful bids during the last 2 years I was finally high bidder on Thursday. The seller didn't know anything about it and googled this: http://www.triadzclub.com/index.asp?inc=datman which He added to His listing.

 

So, noticing that there was a lack of history and also that Escondido was My hometown, I decided to post just what I know about Datman.

 

The first owner of Escondido Datsun was a man named Tom Erler. He was the brainchild of Datman. I do not know yet what all He made with the "superhero" design but here are a few photos showing what I do know was made.

 

First off, the painting on the service department wall:

 

 

This photo was taken by Dave Bednarczyk sometime in 1975. Also taken that day was a very new 4X4 620. I enlarged it's license plate frame which says "Datman". I still own My frame from My old Datsun SS but it didn't have that on the top, just Escondido.

 

 

Finally, Mark can relate with this SAVE EVERYTHING!! I kept all these years the business cards given to My father during the purchase of My first truck. I don't imagine that many of these survived but look:

 

 

 

Datman business cards!!! Who knows what other items will surface? I will try to get further history from a few old employees that I have tracked down.

[]2eDeYe]

That's friggin badass Mike.

 

'Datsun Saves' 'Save Everything' :D

[xtrmemtnmn]

I remember Datman, since growing up in Poway, Escondido area around that time.

[Pacific coast Datsun]

Kool history lesson! I now know what ill be for halloween!!!!!!!! What did you end up paying for the Datman bank? & yes..save everything, just make sure it's organized :D

[datsun dreamer]

Now thats Cool:D! I want this dude on a shirt:cool:!

[Steroid]

The bank this time with shipping went for about $55.00 which is (luckily for Me) the cheapest one has gone for yet. The first two hovered just below the $200.00 range and the bid was stopped on the third. Private sale. The 4th one went to Japan. I was VERY lucky to get this one. I was totally bummed as the last one came up just a few days before the Bar-B-Que, which I really had hoped to display it at. I am sure hoping that this one gets here before JCCS. I already have the rest of the display built. I will be using an old A&W rootbeer carhop tray for the display. Years ago I used the tray to display My photo album on My 1956 Ford panel. Now I need a Datman license plate frame!! The t-shirt idea is a must!! Who can make those?? Mr. Erler has passed on and the logo is over 30 years old so I don't think there would be a copyright issue.

[73dat]

can you said stickers?.........................:D

[Tedman]

Pic of display at the Datsun Heritage Museum:

:D

[djlotus]

i know what im gonna be for halloween

[dat521gatherer]

that's hella cool to be able to find a collectable piece of datsun history like that. i've never even heard of it. i wonder how many banks were made or if there was any other datman stuff or if any other dealers had special stuff made.

 

i collect all type of older antique stuff. this will now be on my list to find.:)

 

does it have a plug on the bottom or back?

[Steroid]

Tedman,

 

I see an Escondido frame next to the bank. Did You by chance photograph that too? It looks like a "plate" in the frame with Datman (which I've never seen before) painted or silkscreened. I like the plastic protection holder. Maybe Datrod knows how to ask these people what they own/know of Datman. Yes 521, I have read on Ebay listings (I don't physically have a bank yet to verify) that there is a plug in the bottom.

[delay_me]

the 620 i sold had all the original paperwork from the escondido dealer not to mention the do it in a datsun frames but they all left when i sold her

[]2eDeYe]

Tedman,

 

I see an Escondido frame next to the bank. Did You by chance photograph that too? It looks like a "plate" in the frame with Datman (which I've never seen before) painted or silkscreened. I like the plastic protection holder. Maybe Datrod knows how to ask these people what they own/know of Datman. Yes 521, I have read on Ebay listings (I don't physically have a bank yet to verify) that there is a plug in the bottom.

 

Mike, I so recommend you going to that museum. I wish I had been able to put more time aside, plan for at least one whole day...You'll probably never leave :D

[Charlie69]

This is great walk down Nostalgia Lane.

[HRH]

Supersweet!

[Komeuppance]

I thought this was going to be about some old crochety geezer.

 

-Robert

[zrex]

Got mine at the Santee swap meet.. The guy wanted 5 dollars I got him down to 4 bucks.. That was a great morning at the swap meet.

Rex

[Abe Froman]

Wow, back from 2008 !