Datsun truck
The Datsun Truck is a compact pickup truck made by Nissan in Japan from 1955 to 1997. It was originally sold under the Datsun brand, but this was switched to Nissan in 1983. It was replaced in 1997 by the Frontier and Navara. In Japan, it was sold only in Nissan Bluebird Store locations.
Predecessors
Pre-war
The Datsun Truck line began with the Type 13 in April 1934, and was later used as the basis of the Datsun DC-3 Roadster. A series of small trucks based on their passenger car counterparts, the 14T, 15T, and 17T, continued to be built until early 1944.Post-war
The 17T was followed by the post-war Datsun 1121 in 1946, which was nearly identical technically but had an extremely simple body made out of simple pressed metal and many body parts made from wood, to enable production in resource-starved early post-war Japan. Early trucks also depended on leftover stocks of pre-war parts. The engine was the Type 7 unit. As the supply situation improved the new 2124 and then 2225 took over in July 1947 and at the end of November of the same year.A rapid stream of changes and new model numbers followed in this early post-war area, as pre-war parts dried up and new designs were substituted. The naming followed a clear system: the first number represented the chassis/engine iteration, with "1" being the pre-war design. The second digit was for the bonnet and grille, the third digit for the cab, and the fourth and final digit for the rear body. 1121 thus had mostly pre-war parts, with a post-war design for the cab. The 2225 had post-war chassis and front end designs, with a fourth redesign of the rear bodywork. The grille was a plain, painted pressed steel piece. Some numbers were assigned but never used, such as rear body designs 2 and 3. The 2225 was succeeded by the 2125 at the end of July 1948; this seemingly retrograde step marked the return to the more ornate pre-war 17T grille.
In January 1949 the 3135 took over, followed by the January 1950 3145 model with a slightly different cabin. In August 1950 the Datsun 4146 arrived, introducing the 860 cc Type 10 engine with. The 4146 also had a bit more chrome trim included, as well as a stronger transmission. The power increase allowed for a somewhat bigger cargo area but top speed only crept up from.
In 1951 the 5147 appeared, introducing a longer wheelbase of rather than the chassis which had been used for seventeen years. Most important was the introduction of hydraulic brakes, replacing the original mechanical units. The 5147 was succeeded two years later by the final 6147 model, which received the D-10 version of the old sidevalve engine. The extra power output was made possible because of higher quality petrol allowing for higher compression rates. Although somewhat longer and with a bigger engine, the Datsun 6147 remained very similar to the prewar type 15 truck. Payload increased from while overall length increased to. A rare double-cab version, the DU-5, was introduced alongside the 6147. The 6147 was built until the 1955 introduction of the all new 120-series truck.
Datsun 120
The Datsun 120 was a load-carrying version of the Datsun 1000 sedan, and was introduced in January 1955 as the latest Datsun truck with up-to-date styling. Delivery van, panel van, and double cab versions were available. Until 1959 it used the 25 PS, 860 cc Datsun Type 10 engine with a four-speed floor shift manual transmission. It was joined with a larger commercially focused vehicle called the Nissan Junior. This was one of the first Nissan products to be sold in Europe, when an order of 200 units were shipped to Spain in 1956.During its six years in production, six main models were built: 120, 122 and 123. For reasons unknown, Nissan skipped the 121 designation. The L123 was the first left-hand drive version built by Nissan, in response to requests from importers in the Middle East. The L123 also received the new hydraulic clutch system developed for the upcoming 210/220 cars and trucks, as Nissan's engineers did not want to use a rod to transfer clutch pedal movements, fearing vibrations and noise.
After the introduction of the re-engined 220-series truck, the Datsun 124 was introduced in October 1957 as a modernized low-cost option. It continued to use the same bodywork and engine as the 123, although with less chrome trim. This was then followed by the re-engined Datsun 125 in 1959 and finally by the Datsun 126 in 1960. While the 124 was still powered by the Type 10 engine, the 125 and 126 received an improved version of this engine called the B-1, rated at.
Datsun 220
In November 1957, the Datsun 220 was introduced, which was capable to carry a payload. Largely unchanged in appearance from the 120-series, which continued to be built as a cheaper version, it was produced from 1957 to 1961. It was the first Datsun truck to be exported to the United States. The 220 can be identified by its different grille, featuring a more pronounced frame. During this time four models were produced: 220, 221, 222, and 223. The chassis was based on the 210 series sedans with which it also shared the engines. Two engines were available: the 37 PS Nissan C engine, and the 48 PS Nissan E engine. Introduced in August 1958, the G220 had a payload and a longer wheelbase; there were also updated G221 and G222 models offered. The E engine was originally only used in models sold on the export market. The 220 was the first Datsun truck to be equipped with a 12 volt electrical system. The clutch was now hydraulically operated, with a hanging pedal.Double cab and delivery van versions were available. Side badges were "Datsun 1000" or "Datsun 1200". There was also a round badge on the dashboard that said "Datsun 1000" or "Datsun 1200", depending on the engine. A long bed version was introduced with the 222. As a low cost option, a lightly changed model of the D10 sidevalve-engined predecessor was introduced in October 1957, followed by the Datsun 125 in 1959 and finally the Datsun 126 in 1960. The 125 and 126 were powered by the B-1, an improved version of the D10 with.
The original 220 had distinct front turn signals mounted atop the fenders, not far ahead of the windshield. On the improved 221 model, these were replaced by more conventionally placed units next to the grille as US regulations did not permit the original layout. Another development which resulted from exposure to the American market was a strengthened rear axle which was also capable of prolonged highway speeds.
The 223 was powered by the new 1.2-liter E-1 engine, rated at 60 PS. The 223 received a round "60 HP" badge on the fenders. The 223 also had a revised chassis and suspension system. The front I-beam suspension used on the 220, 221 and 222 was replaced with an independent front suspension with torsion bars. The steering was updated to a worm-and-roller system while the brakes were now power assisted. These new systems took advantage of parts developed for the not-yet released Nissan Cedric sedan.
In 1958, the Datsun 220 was exhibited at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with American exports beginning soon after. It was the 220 Series that officially established Datsun in the American market.
Datsun 320
In August 1961 the new 320 Series was released. It was produced until 1965 in three series. The 320 Series' underpinnings were largely inherited from the earlier 120/220, although with clear improvements and using body panels and overall design language of the new 310-series Bluebird. It used the Nissan E-1 engine which had already been seen in the earlier 223. This engine produced 60 PS. Nissan updated the larger commercially focused Nissan Junior in 1962.All Datsun trucks kept the A-arm torsion bar front suspension with leaf-spring rear ends and had a 1/2 ton load capacity. Rear end gearing was a low 4.875:1 along with a four-speed transmission; as a result, the 320 was not freeway friendly above 60 mph. Fender emblems showed "Datsun 1200" and "60 HP" with a "Datsun" emblem on the front nose of the hood.
Available body styles include a single cab "truck", a long wheelbase single cab truck, a double cab "pickup" with flush sides, and a three-door "van". Though described as a van in the Japanese market, the V320 is essentially a two-door station wagon. The 320 came in two cab and bed versions: Regular, and as the N320 "Sports Pick-Up" variation which is a rarer version with the cab and bed of a one-piece design. Its back half is greatly different than that of the standard, separate bed 320 pick-up; it uses much of the rear sheet metal and the taillights from the V320 Light Van.
Bed and luggage space were in addition to the expansion, with the support of the market characteristics and the robust chassis engine was easy to handle, it was a best seller in the truck market segment.
The 310 chassis was also a sales hit with the reinforcement of the Datsun Bluebird 310, a variation of the same series, in which the X-members plus a reinforcement of the Fairlady Roadster of the S310-Type CSP311. It was also used for the new Nissan Silvia coupé.
In 1964, the 320 underwent minor changes. Having added the failed Light Stout, Toyota took over Hino's Briska and then continued with the Hilux. Mazda also competed in this segment with the Mazda B-Series. In 1960, Nissan assumed operations of the Minsei Diesel Industries, Ltd., renaming the company as Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
Datsun 520
The Datsun 520 was built from May 1965 to May 1968, when it was facelifted and became the 521. The 420 designation, which was next in sequence, was skipped as it is a homophone for the Japanese word for "rudeness" or "impolite". It used the new 1.3-litre, 67 hp Nissan J13. In 1965 and 1966, the 520 had two headlights. For 1967, the 520 was slightly redesigned and received quad headlights. This design was carried on until the end of 520 production. Single cab, LWB Single cab, Double cab and delivery van versions were available. "G" was used to identify the long wheelbase versions. The fender emblems said "Datsun 1300". A grille emblem was added in 1966 and simply said "D". In late 1967, a slightly altered model appeared, now with a slightly changed chrome grille with a distinct frame.In 1967, Nissan added the Sunny Pickup Truck, which was exclusive to Nissan Saito Store locations, which closely shared the dimensions, engine displacement and load carrying duties of the 520 Series truck.
The 521 was the facelifted version of 520, with a so-called "flat-deck" style. This meant it featured a flattened bonnet and front fenders as well as a new grille design. It used the Nissan J engines and later had a Nissan L16 engine, always with a straight rear axle. The 520 strongly resembles a Datsun 410/411 from the front, since it shares most sheet metal with that car. The fender emblems said "Datsun 1300", "Datsun 1500" or "Datsun 1600". Van/delivery van and double cab versions were also available. It was manufactured from June 1968 until 1972, preceded by the 520 and followed by the 620. The 521 was the first compact half-ton pickup sold in the American market, in 1968.
In 1968, larger load carrying duties were now shared with the Datsun Cabstar, a cabover truck sharing a chassis with the third generation Nissan Junior.