Panchete
16-Feb-2007, 16:06
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1933_type12.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1933_type12.jpg)Type 12 - 1933
An evolution of the type 11 Datsun but I'm unsure of all the differences. It would appear at first glance that the only obvious difference is the use of pressed disc type wheels.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1934_type14.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14.jpg)Type 14 - 1934
The Dat 14 had similar grille styling to American Fords at the time although on a much smaller scale. Mechanically the type 14 was ultra conventional with a side valve engine and worm drive axle, separate chassis with a leaf sprung beam axle up front. The Brakes are entirely mechanical and the suspension uses friction lever dampers. the Dat 14 was available as a four seater, two door sedan (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14_sedan.jpg), a two seater open top coupe (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14_coupe.jpg) or four seater tourer (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14_tourer.jpg).Type 10-T - 1934?
One of Datsuns first light trucks built on the Type 10/11 frame.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1935_type15.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15.jpg)Type 15 - 1935
The Dat 15 was pretty much the same as the Dat 14 underneath but with an all new body. The new more upright grill and body color headlight pods make the car look a little more modern. The 15 was now equipped with windshield pillar mounted semaphor turn signals. The Dat 15 could be purchased with a variety of body styles like the Dat 14 including four seater, two door sedan (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_sedan.jpg) and tourer (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_tourer.jpg) as well as a two seater open top coupe (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_coupe.jpg). But new to the range was a fixed head two seater coupe (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_fhcoupe.jpg) version.Model 90 - 1935
TruckType 15-T - 1935
Light truck based on the Type 15 sedan frame.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1936_type16.jpgType 16 - 1936
Styling changes between the type 15 and 16 are very small and essentially the cars are the same. I have little information about the mecanical layout of the Type 16 so I don't know what changes took place if any. Hopefully I can update this with more information soon.Type 16-T - 1936
Light truck based on the Type 16 sedan frame.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1936_nl75.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1936_nl75.jpg)NL-75 - 1936
Details are a bit sketchy on this one. This series of small race cars seems to have came about in 1936 and must have been Nissans earliest forray into the world of motorsport. Amazingly the NL-75's tiny 747cc engine was DOHC! I have more information to be translated from Japanese about these cars, so there will be a full artical soon!
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1936_nl76.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1936_nl76.jpg)NL-76 - 1936
The other NL series car is just as mysterious as the first. It would appear to be radically different in overall design and may have used a 722cc side valve engine. It almost looks as though it could be FWD? I should know pretty soon.Model 80 - May 1936
The Model 80 was produced with help from the American company Graham-Paige who also provided Nissan with the type 70 sedan (see below). Graham-Paige's contribution was the 3670cc six cylinder engine giving 85hp. The truck was designed to compete with the imported Ford and Chevrolet trucks.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1937_type17.jpgType 17 - 1937
Again, I have little information about any significant changes over the Type 16. The model range was still the same with sedan, tourer, alongside open and fixed roof coupes. More details soon hopefully.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1937_type70.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1937_type70.jpg)Type 70 - 1937
The first car to be called a Nissan, built under the new corporate name. Designed by .The design and tooling to produce it came from the financially troubled American manufacterer, Graham-Paige. The original Graham-Paige model was called the Crusader and was sold from 1935 until they dropped the model in 1937. Nissan produced the car as a Type 70 into the 1940's. This 1410kg sedan was fitted with a 3670cc side valve straight six which gave 85hp at 3400rpm.http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1938_model17-T.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1938_model17-T.jpg)Type 17-T - 1937
Light truck version of the Type 17 Dat sedan.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1939_type50.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1939_type50.jpg)Type 50 - 1939
1939 saw the appearance of the distinctive Type 50 sedan. these were generally powered by a 1468cc side valve, four cylinder engine although I think some were 1000cc (which seems kind of small for a car this size!)The Type 50 was quite modern looking for 1939 in my opinion. Click HERE (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1939_type50_side.jpg) to see a side view.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1941_type53.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1941_type53.jpg)Type 53 - 1941
This later version of the type 50 had a smaller 995cc engine although it was now OHV. I'm unsure as to wether this was a full production model or not.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1941_model180.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1941_model180.jpg)Model 180 - January 1941
The model 180 truck of 1941 was designed and built in only six months. The Model 180 was more suited to heavy military work than the previous model and was simple to repair. On the day of it's launch, Thailand ordered one hundred of them.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1942_type30.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1942_type30.jpg)Type 30 - 1942
Again, very little information on this one. It looks to be based on the Type 50 again but now with a 1000cc engine, possibly the same unit as the Type 53 and a more modern front end with faired in headlights. Unfortunately I only have this rather poor picture of one, however I do have a drawing of the Type 30 which you can see HERE (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1942_type30_drgF.jpg).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1945_charcoalbus.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1945_charcoalbus.jpg)Model 90? - 1945
I'm not entirely sure about this vehicles model code but as it's based on the model 80 truck it's possibly a 90. The date is not certain either as i only know these were produced just after the war. This type of bus was produced earlier but the type shown here was built imediately post war when fuel was in short supply and runs on charcoal.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1948_db.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1948_db.jpg)DB - 1948
After the second world war, Nissan produced a whole series of odd little cars based on maily pre-war mechanical components. This early DB would have used a small engine of around 850cc
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1949_da.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1949_da.jpg)DA - 1949
This, the first DA model had a rather ungainly pre-war look to it as well as having under pinnings from a model from that period. The engine was a 722cc, 15hp unit that was probably a side valve design and may have dated from as early as 1936.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_390_bus.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_390_bus.jpg)390 - 1950
I'm guessing a little at the introduction date here but I have found it advertised in a 1952 publication so 1950 might not be too ar off. This 29 seat bus is constructed on the 380 truck chassis (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_chassis.jpg) and came with either a Nissan NA series gasoline engine or strangely, a Mitsubishi KE5 diesel backed by a four speed manual transmittion. Diesel versions weighed in at a hefty 7405 kg (16,325 lbs).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_380.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_380.jpg)380 - 1950
The 380 was Nissan full size truck for the 50's. It formed the basis of many variants such as dump trucks (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_dumptruck.jpg) and the F380 fire trucks (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_firetruck.jpg). You can see the basic chassis layout HERE (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_chassisx2.jpg).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_da.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_da.jpg)DA - 1950
The new Datsun DA was still pretty much a pre-war design, again using the mechanical components from the late 1930's. Datsun produced a large variety of these small cars during the early 50's.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_ds2.jpgDS-2 - 1950
The rather slab sided Thrift looked not unlike a miniture Ametrican Willy's product and was really rather odd looking. This, the two door feature a different front end design to the four door and had front hinged doors. The engine was the D10 type.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_db2.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_db2.jpg)DB-2 - 1950
the 1950 Datsun DB-2 was an inprovement on the previous DA model and feature more up to date styling with faired in headlights. Mechanically, though it was still the same old pre-war stuff. A trend that was to continue until Nissan had recovered from the tough times it went through during the second world war. Austin of England were to help with Nissans future success.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_dw2.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_dw2.jpg)DW-2 - 1950
The DW-2 ( also known as a Wagonette) was the two door wagon version of the DB series sedans. Some, like this one have a kind of fake woody look to them and others are plain. I haven't yet found a very clear picture of this style DW.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_ds4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_ds4.jpg)DS-4 - 1951
Datsun DS-4 (also called a Thrift) was the four door bretheren of the oddly styled DS-2 listed above.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_db4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_db4.jpg)DB-4 - 1951
The Datsun DB-4 was a small but relatively heavy car (900kg) for it's meagre 20hp engine yet it could manage a reasonable 72mph and upto 42mpg. The styling is much the same as the DW wagons.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_dw4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_dw4.jpg)DW-4 - 1951
The Datsun DW-4 was the four door version of the Wagonette (DW-2) with the same D-10 series engine of 860cc and 20hp. http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_4w60.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_4w60.jpg)4W60 - 1951
The first of the classic Nissan Patrol series. These were an extremely rugged off road vehicle bearing quite a resembelance to the American Jeep as used by the US military. The engines were the six cylinder Nissan NA series with a capacity of some 3.7 litres (gasoline) and an output of 85hp.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_dv4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_dv4.jpg)DV-4 - 1951
The Datsun DV-4 was the pnel wan version of the DB series sedans. The code DV-4 seems a little out of step with the other models due to it having only two doors so I may not have the right information although this was what the Motor Trade Association of Japan refered to it as in their 1952 catalog. Mechanically nothing is changd from the DB and DW models.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_4w73.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_4w73.jpg)4W73 - 1952
Nissan's Carrier was their first large purpose built 4x4 truck designed, it would appear with military use in mind. The Carrier had a 3956cc six cylinder gasoline engine with 125hp available, which might sound linke a respectable output until you consider the Carrier weighed 2.7 tonnes. the transmittion had four forward speeds with a 6.14:1 final drive. The bed featured fold down seating for carrying passegers (troops?) and a removable canvas cover.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_alsi.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_alsi.jpg)ALSI - 1952
The 1952 Prince Skyline was the first incarnation of the legendary Skyline series but was a very different beast to those we are familiar with today. Long before the creation of the first GT-R, Prince Motor Company produced this sedate six seat family sedan powered by a fairly small four cylinder 1500cc engine. The Skyline did have the luxury of a four speed transmition, although there was no syncromesh on first gear. Despite it's 1950's Detroit styling it was not a heavy car at around 1300kg. Top speed would have been around 80mph. The really big difference on the Skyline was it's De-Dion rear suspension which was a pretty sophisticated design for an early 50's Japanese car. The Skyline came in three main types, the Deluxe (ALSID), the export model (ALSIE) and the Standard model (ALSIS).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_a40.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_a40.jpg)A40 - 1952
I hear and read all sorts of tails about Datsun making Austin 7's under licence in the 1920's, many times from suposedly knowledgeable sources. It's just not true! This, the A40 (known as the "Somerset" in England) was the first Austin to be built under licence in Japan. This deal with Austin went a long way to helping Nissan back on their feet after the war. It is to all intents and purposes the same as a British A40, although no doubt the build quality is far superior :-)
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_dc3.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_dc3.jpg)DC-3 - 1952
The DC-3 sports was an incredebly dated design when it was introduced, made even more noticable buy the modern enclosed, aerodynamic body that it's replacement, the S211, possesed when launched in '59. The DC-3 used the same mechanical parts, engine and 3 speed tramsmittion as the 5147 pickup as well as it's diminutive proportions being just 2150mm long and 1180mm wide. Maximum speed was 53mph although it could clock up a creditable 42 miles to the gallon!
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_5147.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_5147.jpg)5147 - 1952
This little truck is really the great grandad of the massively popular mini trucks on our roads today. It looked rather old fashioned back in 1952 and was tiny in size. In fact it's chassis wieght was only 500 kg although, incredebly it's rated carrying capacity was 600 kg! It was powered by the D10 type gasoline engine which was a 4 cylinder "L head" 860cc unit giving 20hp at a leisurely 3,600rpm. The 5147 was also sold as a purpose built fire truck (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_5147_firetruck.jpg).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_alpe.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_alpe.jpg)ALPE - 1952
The Prince Skyway pickup is closely related to the ALSI Skyline sedans and uses the same engine and transmittion with a reduced final drive ratio. The rear suspension was by leaf spring rather than the sedans De-Dion rear but it still had a six passenger capacity like the sedan. The small bed at the rear could carry 500kg as well as the passengers. This design of double cab pickup was continued in various Datsun models for many years and was sometimes know as a "ranch sedan".
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_alvg.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_alvg.jpg)ALVG - 1952
Again, the Skyway Van is a close relative of the Skyline sedan and is based on the same drive train but with a live axle on leaf springs at the rear. Inside the Skyway van has a foilding rear seat and adjustable front seat.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1953_ds5.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1953_ds5.jpg)DS-5 - 1953
The Datsun DS-5 is a very dated design for 1953 and bears more than a slight resembelance to the previous Thrift models of 1951. It's most likely a revised version of the DS-4 but I have little information on it. http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1953_db6.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1953_db6.jpg)DB-6 - 1953
The Datsun DB-6 look virtually the same as the earlier DB-4 so I assume it's an updated version but alas I have no other information on it.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1954_ds6.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1954_ds6.jpg)DS-6 - 1954
The DS-6 of 1954 is still a bit of a mystery. I can find few references to it and no technical specification but anything I find will be added here later.120 - 1955
Light truck based on the Datsun Convar 110.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1955_a50.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1955_a50.jpg)A50 - 1955
The Nissan built Austin A50 Cambridge was the second and last Austin to be constructed under licence in Japan. Again it was pretty much the same as British versions although I have heard rumours that Nissan's own engines were used later in production. Anybody know if that's true?
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1955_a110.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1955_a110.jpg)110 - January 1955
The 110 model is sometimes known as the Datsun A110 or Convar and was a faily austere little car with little in the way of brightwork. It was however Nissans own design after there short perion of producing Austins under licence and it was really the starting point for Nissans growth into international markets as it would eventually develop into the 210 ...Nissan's first real export success. The engine used in the 110 was the type D10 850cc four cylinder side valve unit which produced a creditable 25hp on it's low 6.5:1 compression. The 110 actually featured a four speed transmition too athough the 6.43:1 final drive must have meant a somewhat limited top speed. The body sat on a seperate chassis with leaf sprung axles both front and rear.http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1955_112.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1955_112.jpg)112 - December 1955
The 112 was a minor update of the original 110 Convar and now featured marker lights mounter on top of the front fenders, a new more elaborate grille and chrome headlight surrounds in place of the Convars painted ones. Mehanically the car is still the same as before.http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1956_113.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1956_113.jpg)113 - January 1956
The 113 is externally identical to the 112 of 1955 so I assume most changes were to the interior. The 850cc engine remains the same as before.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_alsid.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_alsid.jpg)ALSID-1 - 1957
Prince Skyline
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_114.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_114.jpg)114 - October 1957
The 114 was basically the 113 with a new larger 1000cc engine in place of the original 850cc. It was a crossover model between the 113 and 210 and is effectively the 113 body with a 210 engine. The differences in the body are minor with just the grille and chrome side trims. I suspect the 114 must have been made in very small numbers as the 210 arrived at the same time.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_210.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_210.jpg)210 - October 1957
This was the first Datsun 1000 with which the export of Datsuns really kicked off, this model being the first to be sold in the United states in any volume. These were rugged little cars and were really well constructed for their day. This model was launched in the US market in 1958 and gave Datsun a good name which was built on by the improved 310 Bluebird model that replaced it. Two of these 210's proved their durability by winning the 1000cc class in the 1958 round Australia Mobilgas Rally, a 19 day, 10,000 mile trek through some pretty hazardous landscape. You'll be able to read more about this event soon.220 - 1957
Light truck based on the Datsun 210 sedan.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_b42.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_b42.jpg)B40 - 1957
The Nissan Junior was derived from the Austin A40 sedan and used the 1500cc Austin engine, although entirely built in Japan. The B40 was a great success.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1958_211.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1958_211.jpg)211 - 1958/10
The new 211 Datsun 1000 gained a new grille and lost the fender top marker lights. A full length chrome strip ran along the body sides and dual tail lights were fitted. Mehanically everything remained the same as the 210.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1958_arth.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1958_arth.jpg)ARTH - 1958
Prince Miler
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1958_arvf.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1958_arvf.jpg)ARVF - 1958
Prince Miler Van
An evolution of the type 11 Datsun but I'm unsure of all the differences. It would appear at first glance that the only obvious difference is the use of pressed disc type wheels.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1934_type14.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14.jpg)Type 14 - 1934
The Dat 14 had similar grille styling to American Fords at the time although on a much smaller scale. Mechanically the type 14 was ultra conventional with a side valve engine and worm drive axle, separate chassis with a leaf sprung beam axle up front. The Brakes are entirely mechanical and the suspension uses friction lever dampers. the Dat 14 was available as a four seater, two door sedan (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14_sedan.jpg), a two seater open top coupe (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14_coupe.jpg) or four seater tourer (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1934_type14_tourer.jpg).Type 10-T - 1934?
One of Datsuns first light trucks built on the Type 10/11 frame.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1935_type15.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15.jpg)Type 15 - 1935
The Dat 15 was pretty much the same as the Dat 14 underneath but with an all new body. The new more upright grill and body color headlight pods make the car look a little more modern. The 15 was now equipped with windshield pillar mounted semaphor turn signals. The Dat 15 could be purchased with a variety of body styles like the Dat 14 including four seater, two door sedan (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_sedan.jpg) and tourer (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_tourer.jpg) as well as a two seater open top coupe (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_coupe.jpg). But new to the range was a fixed head two seater coupe (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1935_type15_fhcoupe.jpg) version.Model 90 - 1935
TruckType 15-T - 1935
Light truck based on the Type 15 sedan frame.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1936_type16.jpgType 16 - 1936
Styling changes between the type 15 and 16 are very small and essentially the cars are the same. I have little information about the mecanical layout of the Type 16 so I don't know what changes took place if any. Hopefully I can update this with more information soon.Type 16-T - 1936
Light truck based on the Type 16 sedan frame.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1936_nl75.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1936_nl75.jpg)NL-75 - 1936
Details are a bit sketchy on this one. This series of small race cars seems to have came about in 1936 and must have been Nissans earliest forray into the world of motorsport. Amazingly the NL-75's tiny 747cc engine was DOHC! I have more information to be translated from Japanese about these cars, so there will be a full artical soon!
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1936_nl76.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1936_nl76.jpg)NL-76 - 1936
The other NL series car is just as mysterious as the first. It would appear to be radically different in overall design and may have used a 722cc side valve engine. It almost looks as though it could be FWD? I should know pretty soon.Model 80 - May 1936
The Model 80 was produced with help from the American company Graham-Paige who also provided Nissan with the type 70 sedan (see below). Graham-Paige's contribution was the 3670cc six cylinder engine giving 85hp. The truck was designed to compete with the imported Ford and Chevrolet trucks.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1937_type17.jpgType 17 - 1937
Again, I have little information about any significant changes over the Type 16. The model range was still the same with sedan, tourer, alongside open and fixed roof coupes. More details soon hopefully.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1937_type70.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1937_type70.jpg)Type 70 - 1937
The first car to be called a Nissan, built under the new corporate name. Designed by .The design and tooling to produce it came from the financially troubled American manufacterer, Graham-Paige. The original Graham-Paige model was called the Crusader and was sold from 1935 until they dropped the model in 1937. Nissan produced the car as a Type 70 into the 1940's. This 1410kg sedan was fitted with a 3670cc side valve straight six which gave 85hp at 3400rpm.http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1938_model17-T.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1938_model17-T.jpg)Type 17-T - 1937
Light truck version of the Type 17 Dat sedan.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1939_type50.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1939_type50.jpg)Type 50 - 1939
1939 saw the appearance of the distinctive Type 50 sedan. these were generally powered by a 1468cc side valve, four cylinder engine although I think some were 1000cc (which seems kind of small for a car this size!)The Type 50 was quite modern looking for 1939 in my opinion. Click HERE (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1939_type50_side.jpg) to see a side view.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1941_type53.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1941_type53.jpg)Type 53 - 1941
This later version of the type 50 had a smaller 995cc engine although it was now OHV. I'm unsure as to wether this was a full production model or not.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1941_model180.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1941_model180.jpg)Model 180 - January 1941
The model 180 truck of 1941 was designed and built in only six months. The Model 180 was more suited to heavy military work than the previous model and was simple to repair. On the day of it's launch, Thailand ordered one hundred of them.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1942_type30.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1942_type30.jpg)Type 30 - 1942
Again, very little information on this one. It looks to be based on the Type 50 again but now with a 1000cc engine, possibly the same unit as the Type 53 and a more modern front end with faired in headlights. Unfortunately I only have this rather poor picture of one, however I do have a drawing of the Type 30 which you can see HERE (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1942_type30_drgF.jpg).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1945_charcoalbus.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1945_charcoalbus.jpg)Model 90? - 1945
I'm not entirely sure about this vehicles model code but as it's based on the model 80 truck it's possibly a 90. The date is not certain either as i only know these were produced just after the war. This type of bus was produced earlier but the type shown here was built imediately post war when fuel was in short supply and runs on charcoal.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1948_db.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1948_db.jpg)DB - 1948
After the second world war, Nissan produced a whole series of odd little cars based on maily pre-war mechanical components. This early DB would have used a small engine of around 850cc
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1949_da.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1949_da.jpg)DA - 1949
This, the first DA model had a rather ungainly pre-war look to it as well as having under pinnings from a model from that period. The engine was a 722cc, 15hp unit that was probably a side valve design and may have dated from as early as 1936.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_390_bus.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_390_bus.jpg)390 - 1950
I'm guessing a little at the introduction date here but I have found it advertised in a 1952 publication so 1950 might not be too ar off. This 29 seat bus is constructed on the 380 truck chassis (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_chassis.jpg) and came with either a Nissan NA series gasoline engine or strangely, a Mitsubishi KE5 diesel backed by a four speed manual transmittion. Diesel versions weighed in at a hefty 7405 kg (16,325 lbs).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_380.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_380.jpg)380 - 1950
The 380 was Nissan full size truck for the 50's. It formed the basis of many variants such as dump trucks (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_dumptruck.jpg) and the F380 fire trucks (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_firetruck.jpg). You can see the basic chassis layout HERE (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_680_chassisx2.jpg).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_da.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_da.jpg)DA - 1950
The new Datsun DA was still pretty much a pre-war design, again using the mechanical components from the late 1930's. Datsun produced a large variety of these small cars during the early 50's.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_ds2.jpgDS-2 - 1950
The rather slab sided Thrift looked not unlike a miniture Ametrican Willy's product and was really rather odd looking. This, the two door feature a different front end design to the four door and had front hinged doors. The engine was the D10 type.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_db2.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_db2.jpg)DB-2 - 1950
the 1950 Datsun DB-2 was an inprovement on the previous DA model and feature more up to date styling with faired in headlights. Mechanically, though it was still the same old pre-war stuff. A trend that was to continue until Nissan had recovered from the tough times it went through during the second world war. Austin of England were to help with Nissans future success.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1950_dw2.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1950_dw2.jpg)DW-2 - 1950
The DW-2 ( also known as a Wagonette) was the two door wagon version of the DB series sedans. Some, like this one have a kind of fake woody look to them and others are plain. I haven't yet found a very clear picture of this style DW.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_ds4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_ds4.jpg)DS-4 - 1951
Datsun DS-4 (also called a Thrift) was the four door bretheren of the oddly styled DS-2 listed above.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_db4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_db4.jpg)DB-4 - 1951
The Datsun DB-4 was a small but relatively heavy car (900kg) for it's meagre 20hp engine yet it could manage a reasonable 72mph and upto 42mpg. The styling is much the same as the DW wagons.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_dw4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_dw4.jpg)DW-4 - 1951
The Datsun DW-4 was the four door version of the Wagonette (DW-2) with the same D-10 series engine of 860cc and 20hp. http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_4w60.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_4w60.jpg)4W60 - 1951
The first of the classic Nissan Patrol series. These were an extremely rugged off road vehicle bearing quite a resembelance to the American Jeep as used by the US military. The engines were the six cylinder Nissan NA series with a capacity of some 3.7 litres (gasoline) and an output of 85hp.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1951_dv4.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1951_dv4.jpg)DV-4 - 1951
The Datsun DV-4 was the pnel wan version of the DB series sedans. The code DV-4 seems a little out of step with the other models due to it having only two doors so I may not have the right information although this was what the Motor Trade Association of Japan refered to it as in their 1952 catalog. Mechanically nothing is changd from the DB and DW models.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_4w73.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_4w73.jpg)4W73 - 1952
Nissan's Carrier was their first large purpose built 4x4 truck designed, it would appear with military use in mind. The Carrier had a 3956cc six cylinder gasoline engine with 125hp available, which might sound linke a respectable output until you consider the Carrier weighed 2.7 tonnes. the transmittion had four forward speeds with a 6.14:1 final drive. The bed featured fold down seating for carrying passegers (troops?) and a removable canvas cover.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_alsi.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_alsi.jpg)ALSI - 1952
The 1952 Prince Skyline was the first incarnation of the legendary Skyline series but was a very different beast to those we are familiar with today. Long before the creation of the first GT-R, Prince Motor Company produced this sedate six seat family sedan powered by a fairly small four cylinder 1500cc engine. The Skyline did have the luxury of a four speed transmition, although there was no syncromesh on first gear. Despite it's 1950's Detroit styling it was not a heavy car at around 1300kg. Top speed would have been around 80mph. The really big difference on the Skyline was it's De-Dion rear suspension which was a pretty sophisticated design for an early 50's Japanese car. The Skyline came in three main types, the Deluxe (ALSID), the export model (ALSIE) and the Standard model (ALSIS).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_a40.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_a40.jpg)A40 - 1952
I hear and read all sorts of tails about Datsun making Austin 7's under licence in the 1920's, many times from suposedly knowledgeable sources. It's just not true! This, the A40 (known as the "Somerset" in England) was the first Austin to be built under licence in Japan. This deal with Austin went a long way to helping Nissan back on their feet after the war. It is to all intents and purposes the same as a British A40, although no doubt the build quality is far superior :-)
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_dc3.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_dc3.jpg)DC-3 - 1952
The DC-3 sports was an incredebly dated design when it was introduced, made even more noticable buy the modern enclosed, aerodynamic body that it's replacement, the S211, possesed when launched in '59. The DC-3 used the same mechanical parts, engine and 3 speed tramsmittion as the 5147 pickup as well as it's diminutive proportions being just 2150mm long and 1180mm wide. Maximum speed was 53mph although it could clock up a creditable 42 miles to the gallon!
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_5147.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_5147.jpg)5147 - 1952
This little truck is really the great grandad of the massively popular mini trucks on our roads today. It looked rather old fashioned back in 1952 and was tiny in size. In fact it's chassis wieght was only 500 kg although, incredebly it's rated carrying capacity was 600 kg! It was powered by the D10 type gasoline engine which was a 4 cylinder "L head" 860cc unit giving 20hp at a leisurely 3,600rpm. The 5147 was also sold as a purpose built fire truck (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_5147_firetruck.jpg).
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_alpe.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_alpe.jpg)ALPE - 1952
The Prince Skyway pickup is closely related to the ALSI Skyline sedans and uses the same engine and transmittion with a reduced final drive ratio. The rear suspension was by leaf spring rather than the sedans De-Dion rear but it still had a six passenger capacity like the sedan. The small bed at the rear could carry 500kg as well as the passengers. This design of double cab pickup was continued in various Datsun models for many years and was sometimes know as a "ranch sedan".
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1952_alvg.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1952_alvg.jpg)ALVG - 1952
Again, the Skyway Van is a close relative of the Skyline sedan and is based on the same drive train but with a live axle on leaf springs at the rear. Inside the Skyway van has a foilding rear seat and adjustable front seat.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1953_ds5.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1953_ds5.jpg)DS-5 - 1953
The Datsun DS-5 is a very dated design for 1953 and bears more than a slight resembelance to the previous Thrift models of 1951. It's most likely a revised version of the DS-4 but I have little information on it. http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1953_db6.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1953_db6.jpg)DB-6 - 1953
The Datsun DB-6 look virtually the same as the earlier DB-4 so I assume it's an updated version but alas I have no other information on it.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1954_ds6.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1954_ds6.jpg)DS-6 - 1954
The DS-6 of 1954 is still a bit of a mystery. I can find few references to it and no technical specification but anything I find will be added here later.120 - 1955
Light truck based on the Datsun Convar 110.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1955_a50.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1955_a50.jpg)A50 - 1955
The Nissan built Austin A50 Cambridge was the second and last Austin to be constructed under licence in Japan. Again it was pretty much the same as British versions although I have heard rumours that Nissan's own engines were used later in production. Anybody know if that's true?
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1955_a110.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1955_a110.jpg)110 - January 1955
The 110 model is sometimes known as the Datsun A110 or Convar and was a faily austere little car with little in the way of brightwork. It was however Nissans own design after there short perion of producing Austins under licence and it was really the starting point for Nissans growth into international markets as it would eventually develop into the 210 ...Nissan's first real export success. The engine used in the 110 was the type D10 850cc four cylinder side valve unit which produced a creditable 25hp on it's low 6.5:1 compression. The 110 actually featured a four speed transmition too athough the 6.43:1 final drive must have meant a somewhat limited top speed. The body sat on a seperate chassis with leaf sprung axles both front and rear.http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1955_112.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1955_112.jpg)112 - December 1955
The 112 was a minor update of the original 110 Convar and now featured marker lights mounter on top of the front fenders, a new more elaborate grille and chrome headlight surrounds in place of the Convars painted ones. Mehanically the car is still the same as before.http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1956_113.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1956_113.jpg)113 - January 1956
The 113 is externally identical to the 112 of 1955 so I assume most changes were to the interior. The 850cc engine remains the same as before.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_alsid.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_alsid.jpg)ALSID-1 - 1957
Prince Skyline
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_114.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_114.jpg)114 - October 1957
The 114 was basically the 113 with a new larger 1000cc engine in place of the original 850cc. It was a crossover model between the 113 and 210 and is effectively the 113 body with a 210 engine. The differences in the body are minor with just the grille and chrome side trims. I suspect the 114 must have been made in very small numbers as the 210 arrived at the same time.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_210.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_210.jpg)210 - October 1957
This was the first Datsun 1000 with which the export of Datsuns really kicked off, this model being the first to be sold in the United states in any volume. These were rugged little cars and were really well constructed for their day. This model was launched in the US market in 1958 and gave Datsun a good name which was built on by the improved 310 Bluebird model that replaced it. Two of these 210's proved their durability by winning the 1000cc class in the 1958 round Australia Mobilgas Rally, a 19 day, 10,000 mile trek through some pretty hazardous landscape. You'll be able to read more about this event soon.220 - 1957
Light truck based on the Datsun 210 sedan.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1957_b42.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1957_b42.jpg)B40 - 1957
The Nissan Junior was derived from the Austin A40 sedan and used the 1500cc Austin engine, although entirely built in Japan. The B40 was a great success.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1958_211.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1958_211.jpg)211 - 1958/10
The new 211 Datsun 1000 gained a new grille and lost the fender top marker lights. A full length chrome strip ran along the body sides and dual tail lights were fitted. Mehanically everything remained the same as the 210.
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1958_arth.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1958_arth.jpg)ARTH - 1958
Prince Miler
http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/thumbnails/1958_arvf.jpg (http://www.ratdat.com/history/1933to1958/images/1958_arvf.jpg)ARVF - 1958
Prince Miler Van