Datsun to Nissan: the Datsun brand in America and the switch to the Nissan name

Datsun to Nissan in the US history

The name starts with the DAT car of 1914, named for three investors in Kwaishinsha: Den, Aoyama and Takeuchi. In 1932 a small 495cc car became the Datsun, with "son" changed to "sun". Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. took its name in 1934 and sold cars under both the Datsun and Nissan badges.

Datsun came to America in 1958 with the 1200 sedan, followed by a compact pickup in 1959. Sales were slow until the 510 arrived for 1968; Nissan says it sold 300,000 in the US through 1973. The 240Z followed for 1970, and by 1975 Datsun was the top US vehicle importer.

Nissan says the Datsun brand was phased out from 1981. In July 1981 it decided to use one brand name, NISSAN, for overseas markets, and in 1983 Nissan began building trucks in Smyrna, Tennessee. Nissan later revived the Datsun name for high-growth markets, with sales starting in India, Indonesia and Russia in 2014.[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7]

Years and production numbers

Generations and key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• The first US Datsun, the 1958 1200 sedan, had a 48-hp 1,200cc engine.
• The first US Datsun pickup was imported with a 37-hp 1,000cc engine before being upgraded to the 48-hp 1,200cc unit.
• The 510 used a 96-hp 1.6-liter inline four with independent suspension.
• The 240Z used a 150-hp 2.4-liter single-overhead-cam inline six.

Sources:[1],[4],[6]

What changed over the years

1. 1960The Datsun SPL 210, Datsun's first sports car, arrives with Nissan's new US company.
2. 1962Bluebird is the first Datsun with a fully synchronized 3-speed transmission.
3. 1967Datsun 2000 Roadster, the first Japanese production sports car with a 5-speed, with 150 hp.
4. 1971510s account for more than 40% of Nissan's US sales; the BRE 510 wins the Trans Am 2.5-liter championship.
5. 1972Nissan says more than 300,000 510 sedans and wagons were sold.
6. 1979Nissan Design International opens in La Jolla, California.
7. 1981Nissan begins a corporate identity program to market vehicles worldwide under the Nissan name.
8. 1983Nissan's US heritage timeline dates the start of worldwide marketing under the Nissan name to this year; US truck production starts in Smyrna.
9. 1985The Hardbody, designed by Nissan Design International, replaces the 720.

Sources:[1],[4],[7],[8],[10]

What to check before you buy one

• Confirm the model, year and engine against the title; early Datsun chassis numbers are shorter than a modern 17-character VIN.
• On any Datsun, inspect closely for rust and ask for restoration and service records, since even the newest are more than 40 years old.
• For a 240Z, 260Z or 280Z, check that the engine matches the badge: 2.4, 2.6 or 2.8 liters.

How to verify a Datsun to Nissan in the US's factory options

A Nissan's model, engine, transmission and drivetrain are fixed at the factory. CarWhere decodes the 17-character VIN and, where licensed factory build data exists, lists the equipment the car was built with. It does not promise a complete option list for every VIN.

Datsuns built before the 17-character VIN standard in 49 CFR Part 565 carry shorter chassis numbers that won't decode like a modern VIN.[11]

For pre-1981 examples, the data plate and engine stampings carry the original factory codes; a VIN-based build lookup does not apply to them.