By 1949,
Datsun resumed production of the cute slightly altered pre-war sedan as Standard model, accompanied by a newly
designed Deluxe, inspired by the
rather ugly slab-sided American Crosley.
Ryowa converted this (DB) 2-door Deluxe into a
pickup, while Takenouchi created a (2-door) double
cab pickup at a time when the Datsun pickups still were based on pre-war
designs. The Jeep-inspired Thrift (Nissan also built the Patrol,
identical to the Willys Jeep) succeeded on this
Standard model by 1951, and the next year 4-door versions were introduced on a
lengthened platform, with a 2-door Thrift on this wheelbase added. The short-lived 4-door Wagonette actually
only had a lower trunk opening under the fixed back window, while the 2-door
Delivery (panel or window) Van was available with a rear seat row. It had a manual co-driver’s window
wiper. The only competitor in this
period was the Ohta.
Nissan also built the larger Austin A40 Somerset.
The 1955
Datsun 110 (860cc) and 1957/58 210 (1000cc) (‘Japan’s most popular
car’) still had a beam front axle with leaf springs, to be replaced by an
independent wishbone front suspension with torsion springs only in the last
series 2-door wagon/pickup 223 derivatives (1960/61), which would be replaced
by the Bluebird 310 based 320 utilities the next year. By 1959 arrived a pick-up with an extended
(approximately 6 cm) cab on the longer wheelbase, that would be offered in the
export only. Passenger car competitors
now were the Toyopet Corona and Hino Renault PA (Renault 4CV), but none in the
commercial field for this size. Nissan
now also built the Austin A50 Cambridge.
10 August, 2018