The Datsun 120 went into production in January 1955. The basic architecture of the 120 would continue in production, with a few minor changes, until July 1961, by which time it had evolved into the Datsun 223. The 120 was based on the chassis, mechanicals and front section of the Datsun 110 sedan.
Styling was fairly modern for it's time, especially when compared to the previous 6147 models, though they were still very basic transport. There are certainly styling cues taken from Austins of the era, but with enough details to give it a distinctly Japanese character.
The dashboard in the 120 featured an instrument cluster that was rather inconveniently located in the centre of the dash, on the following 122 model the instruments were relocated to be in front of the driver.
The grille on the 120 is a fairly basic arragnement, essentially nothing more than a pressed steel sheet with six horizontal slots cut out of it. The 120 has small round front indicators placed at the front of the car, either side of the grille opening. The following 122 model has front indicators that are a tall oval shape, as well as small bullet shaped indicators that sat on the top of the front guards.
Badges on the 110 consisted of a DATSUN badge at the front of the car, just above the grille opening.
Mechanically the 120 still continued to use the D-10 engine, which was little more than a slightly improved version of the pre-war Datsun engine. The D-10 was an 860cc side valve 4 cylinder engine with an Hitachi made version of the single throat down draught Solex carburettor. The D-10 produced 25hp at 4000rpm.
The engine may have been old, but the chassis and suspension were all new and designed especially for the new 120. It featured a reverse Elliot I beam front and a solid rear axle with longitudinal leaf springs front and back. Electrics were all 6 volt.
The Datsun 120 was replaced by the Datsun 122 in December 1955.
The U120 was a double cab version of the 120 truck. It featured two rows of seats and a substantially smaller cargo area.
The V120 is a 3 door panel van version of the 120 truck. Mechanically it was identical to the truck. The V120 version has no side windows in the cargo area, but instead has blank steel panels.
The Datsun AV120 was a 3 door delivery van version of the 120 truck. Mechanically it was identical to the truck. The AV120 version has side windows in the cargo area.
A 5 door wagon version of the 110 sedan was also built, details about this vehicle are on the Datsun 110 page.
The standard pickup model.
The Datsun 120 is based on the chassis andd mechanicals of this car, the Datsun 110. The 110 series featured a 4 door sedan and a 5 door wagon version.
More information about this vehicle can be found on the Datsun 110 page.
Length - 3860mm
Width - 1466mm
Height - 1540mm
Wheelbase - 2220mm
Weight - 890kg
Top speed - 85kph
Transmission - Floor change 4 speed
OHV 4 Cylinder
Model - D-10
Capacity - 860cc
Bore & Stroke 60x76mm
Power - 25bhp@4000rpm
Torque- 37ft/lb@2400rpm
Compression - 6.3 : 1
Carburettor - Hitachi Solex VA-26-2 26mm single throat downdraught
Final drive - 6.43:1
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