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Datsun


Grew from a prototype develped by engineer Masujiro Hashimoto of Tokyo, and funded by K. Den, R. Aoyama and A. Takeuchi (the first letter from each last name making the acronym DAT). Went into production as a DAT 31 in 1915, powered by a 122ci 2 liter 4 cylinder engine. Concentrated on truck manufacture from 1926, although the Lila light car became increasingly popular, particularly with cab drivers.

Acquired in 1931, the new owners quickly set about mass producing vehicles for the export market, their first attempt being an almost identical copy of the Austin Seven. Wanting to use the Japanese rising sun as part of its trademark, added the word SUN to DAT, creating DATSUN and having the rising sun as a background to their emblem. Turned again to Austin for inspiration after World War 2, the Bluebird's quickly gaining popularity for robustness and reliability.

Also see: Nissan Car Reviews.

Datsun Bluebird P410  

Datsun Bluebird P410 1964

1964 - 1967
The 'Pininfarina' designed P410 Bluebird replaced the English inspired design of the 310/311/312 series, and usered in Datsun's use of unitary construction of the body, rather than a seperate chassis. More >>
Datsun Bluebird P410  

Datsun Bluebird P410 1965

1964 - 1967
The 'Pininfarina' designed P410 Bluebird replaced the English inspired design of the 310/311/312 series, and usered in Datsun's use of unitary construction of the body, rather than a seperate chassis. More >>
Datsun Bluebird P411  

Datsun Bluebird P411 1966

1964 - 1967
The 'Pininfarina' designed P410 Bluebird replaced the English inspired design of the 310/311/312 series, and usered in Datsun's use of unitary construction of the body, rather than a seperate chassis. More >>
Datsun Bluebird  

Datsun Bluebird P411 1967

1964 - 1967
The 'Pininfarina' designed P410 Bluebird replaced the English inspired design of the 310/311/312 series, and usered in Datsun's use of unitary construction of the body, rather than a seperate chassis. More >>
Datsun Bluebird  

Datsun Bluebird R411 SSS

1964 - 1967
The 'Pininfarina' designed P410 Bluebird replaced the English inspired design of the 310/311/312 series, and usered in Datsun's use of unitary construction of the body, rather than a seperate chassis. More >>
Datsun Fairlady  

Datsun Fairlady

1965 - 1970
The lack of handling compared to its rivals resulted in Datsun not having the sales success they had hoped for - and needing to design an entirely new type of car. Enter the 240Z and the title of 'World's best selling sports car'. More >>
Datsun 1000  

Datsun 1000

1967 - 1970
Released in 1967, the Datsun 1000 would quickly become one of the world's most popular small cars, and in just 2 short years Datsun had managed to manufacture and sell over half-a-million of them. More >>
Datsun 1600  

Datsun 1600 SSS

1967 - 1972
From 1967 to 1972 there was a car that won the respect of nearly everyone that drove it. Perhaps with less showroom appeal than the competition, the Datsun 1600 quickly etched itself into the psyche of many young Australians as arguably the first true "Performance 4". More >>
Datsun Bluebird P510  

Datsun Bluebird P510

1968 - 1974
The P411 Bluebird had been a best-seller in Japan's growing domestic car market, and the drastic model change was intended to make it more at home in export markets - particularly the U.S., where sales had been burgeoning despite the small sedan's unacceptably harsh ride. More >>
Datsun Six  

Datsun Six

1969 - 1974
Early in 1969 Datsun was to release their "family six" alternative to the big Aussie sedans of the day, the handsome "Big Datsun Six". But Australia was one of some fifty-seven countries where the all new car was unveiled, it truly being a world car. More >>
Datsun 240Z  

Datsun 240Z

1969 - 1975
Building street cred with such vehicles as the Honda S800 and Toyota 2000GT, Japan was starting to emerge as a legitimate sports car maker. The challenge for the Japanese was to break into the lucrative US market. More >>
Datsun 1200  

Datsun 1200

1970 - 1973
The Datsun 1200 was the second generation Sunny in Japan. This new Sunny sported MacPherson strut front suspension and the A series engine had grown to 1171cc. More >>
Datsun 120Y  

Datsun B210

1973 - 1977
Nissans Datsun 1200 replacement - the B210 - continued that company's penetration into the small car market here in the USA. It ran on the same old mechanicals but sported a new body and included a new hatchback coupe and station wagon in the model line-up. And Nissan claimed the bigger B210 had improved performance and greater economy than its predecessors. More >>
Datsun 260Z  

Datsun 260Z

1974 - 1978
Despite the increase in engine capacity, the new "Z" was actually slightly slower, and less sporting, than its predecessor. While it remained on sale to global markets for four years, in the US (which was its principle market) it was replaced by the lustier 280Z in less than a year. More >>
Datsun 180B  

Datsun 180B

1976 - 1978
Both the 180B and 200B models were extremely popular with Australian motorists, although it is rare to see one on the roads today. The time is fast approaching when 70's nostalgia buffs will lust for a good clean example, only to find there are none. More >>
Datsun 200B  

Datsun 200B

1977 - 1981
The Datsun 180B was replaced in October of 1977 with the 200B. Continuing with the Japanese styling the sedan was released with the fully imported as a sedan, a coupe that retained the SSS badge and a wagon. More >>
Datsun Sunny  

Datsun Sunny

1979 - 1986
The fully imported Sunny was introduced in early 1979 as a successor to the outgoing B210 model, and to supplement the locally built Stanza which had failed to produce the expected sales figures for Nissan. But following in the B210’s footsteps would certainly be a hard act to follow, particularly when the B210’s two major attributes were that it was both low priced an inexpensive to run. More >>
Datsun Bluebird

Datsun Bluebird

1981 - 1986
In May 1981 the 200B was replaced with the Bluebird. The styling of the Bluebird moved towards a more European look with lower waistlines and simple lines. Retaining much of the running gear from the 200B, with a front engine, rear drive layout. More >>
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