Comments
Bring back the 180B!
HaHa! | Uranus - July 08, 2011, 9:42AM
What about the ultimate classic the 120Y.....gotta bring that back!!!!!!!!!!
Raining Datsun Cogs | Sydney - July 08, 2011, 9:41AM
Oh please bring back the 120Y. The world is crying out for an update on that little beauty.
Roger | Dark Side of the Moon - July 08, 2011, 9:40AM
Bring Back the Datsun 120Y! $5k sounds pretty cheap, but that with be 13990 by the time it comes
to Australian shores and gets a nice tax slapped on top
Micky the V | Melb - July 08, 2011, 9:37AM
Just pull a few 120Y's and 180B's from the wrecking yard and turn the key,,,, they should start!
Simon - July 08, 2011, 10:08AM
Datsun is the only Japanese "brand" that has succeeded in producing cars (at least the non
rotary-powered variety) that have an appeal lasting more than about 5 minutes... So this is
great news! and I hope they can keep to their principles.
scrambled | Ashfield - July 08, 2011, 10:06AM
They're got it all arse about face.
Bring back the Datsun brand as the Premium brand (ala Lexus to Toyota), and leave the Nissan
brand where it is...as the budget brand struggling to make an impact!!
We had both a 120Y and a 180Bsss...both great cars for their purpose.
Nissan is a problem brand/product offering...Datsun is the future!!
Maelstrom | Sydney - July 08, 2011, 9:54AM
Bring back the Nissan Cedric, now that was a fantastic car in it's day!
rob | melb - July 08, 2011, 10:11AM
Yessss! Some illustrious and very well loved models were launched with the Datsun badge -
Bluebird, 1200, 120Y, 180B, 240Z, 240K, heck, I don't even mind the look of the Cedric these
days. Dad bought a Datsun 1300 wagon in 1965. It was our first Japanese car, and although
underpowered, was as reliable as they come. Bring Datsun back!
Johnniesazzler | Port Kembla - July 08, 2011, 10:23AM
Bring back the 180B!
HaHa! | Uranus - July 08, 2011, 9:42AM
What about the ultimate classic the 120Y.....gotta bring that back!!!!!!!!!!
Raining Datsun Cogs | Sydney - July 08, 2011, 9:41AM
Oh please bring back the 120Y. The world is crying out for an update on that little beauty.
Roger | Dark Side of the Moon - July 08, 2011, 9:40AM
Bring Back the Datsun 120Y! $5k sounds pretty cheap, but that with be 13990 by the time it comes
to Australian shores and gets a nice tax slapped on top
Micky the V | Melb - July 08, 2011, 9:37AM
Just pull a few 120Y's and 180B's from the wrecking yard and turn the key,,,, they should start!
Simon - July 08, 2011, 10:08AM
Datsun is the only Japanese "brand" that has succeeded in producing cars (at least the non
rotary-powered variety) that have an appeal lasting more than about 5 minutes... So this is
great news! and I hope they can keep to their principles.
scrambled | Ashfield - July 08, 2011, 10:06AM
They're got it all arse about face.
Bring back the Datsun brand as the Premium brand (ala Lexus to Toyota), and leave the Nissan
brand where it is...as the budget brand struggling to make an impact!!
We had both a 120Y and a 180Bsss...both great cars for their purpose.
Nissan is a problem brand/product offering...Datsun is the future!!
Maelstrom | Sydney - July 08, 2011, 9:54AM
Bring back the Nissan Cedric, now that was a fantastic car in it's day!
rob | melb - July 08, 2011, 10:11AM
Yessss! Some illustrious and very well loved models were launched with the Datsun badge -
Bluebird, 1200, 120Y, 180B, 240Z, 240K, heck, I don't even mind the look of the Cedric these
days. Dad bought a Datsun 1300 wagon in 1965. It was our first Japanese car, and although
underpowered, was as reliable as they come. Bring Datsun back!
Johnniesazzler | Port Kembla - July 08, 2011, 10:23AM
RELATED INFO
Nissan is reportedly planning to
bring back Datsun as a budget
brand for emerging nations.
The car brand indelibly linked with model names such as
240Z, Sunny and 1600SSS could be making a comeback.
Reports out of Japan suggest Nissan will bring back the
Datsun nameplate, which was phased out in the 1980s,
to be used on a number of cars designed specifically for
emerging markets.
The new models will likely be launched as part of
Nissan's ambitious "Power88" five-year plan, which will
see the Japanese car maker and its subsidiaries release
a new model every six weeks for six years.
According to Japanese news site The Nikkei, the
Datsun-badged models will likely feature a price-tag "of
around $5000" - but Nissan hasn't yet confirmed that the
Datsun brand will return.
However, if it were to be revived, the upcoming Sunny
small sedan - which is essentially a four-door version of
the Micra hatch - could wear the well-known Datsun
Sunny nameplate in places like China.
bring back Datsun as a budget
brand for emerging nations.
The car brand indelibly linked with model names such as
240Z, Sunny and 1600SSS could be making a comeback.
Reports out of Japan suggest Nissan will bring back the
Datsun nameplate, which was phased out in the 1980s,
to be used on a number of cars designed specifically for
emerging markets.
The new models will likely be launched as part of
Nissan's ambitious "Power88" five-year plan, which will
see the Japanese car maker and its subsidiaries release
a new model every six weeks for six years.
According to Japanese news site The Nikkei, the
Datsun-badged models will likely feature a price-tag "of
around $5000" - but Nissan hasn't yet confirmed that the
Datsun brand will return.
However, if it were to be revived, the upcoming Sunny
small sedan - which is essentially a four-door version of
the Micra hatch - could wear the well-known Datsun
Sunny nameplate in places like China.
Where does the name Datsun
come from ?
Grown from a prototype developed 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 litre 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.
come from ?
Grown from a prototype developed 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 litre 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.
The 120Y was the third generation Datsun
Sunny and featured an all new styling, now
very distinctly Japanese looking.
Initially there was little different from the
previous models, as underneath the suspension
and drive train were the same - even the
12" wheels were carried over.
The body and interior, however, were all new.
Available as a two or four door sedan, a
coupe, a wagon or a panel van, called Runner
there were also three door wagons available in
some markets. Utilising A series engines initially
of 1200cc, this was later upgraded to 1400cc.
American 120Y's also came with the A13 engine.
Enormously popular in many countries throughout
the world, the 120Y underwent undercarriage
modification in 1975 when the front suspension
was changed, 13" rims fitted and the later type
A12 engine with a 5 bearing crankshaft were used.
Never a glamorous car in its hey-day, the perennial
120Y can still be seen on the highways of today and,
due to its poor road manners is not particularly collectible.
But, as with all cars that have been out of production for
over 20 years, they are becoming more scarce and an
extremely good condition vehicle could just make a
good buying decision.
Add to this the public's love of re-cycled kitsch and the
120Y could, just maybe, make a come back.
LANDCRUISER TOO EXPENSIVE
An Adventure in a Datsun 120Y
(the most reliable car ever - ask a mechanic!)
I used to have this nice big Toyota Landcruiser.
Took it lots of places crossed the Simpson Desert for
one, but it was soooo expensive to fix. A couple of
years ago it needed fixing yet again.
So while the Landcrusier was being fixed I bought an old bomb Datsun 120Y for $850 to run around in. The mechanic looked at the
Landcrusier and said $5,500 to repair the gearbox, and this is the second time it had been fixed. In the meantime my son and I
planned to go to Darwin and across to Broome in Western Australia for four weeks.
I decided that I was sick of pouring money in this Landcrusier, and we had run out of time to fix the Landcrusier. We decided we would
take the Datsun 120Y travel light, and if it broke down, we would leave it and take the bus.
Well guess what it made it!. 13,000 kilometres from Adelaide to Darwin, through Kakadu, across to Western Australia Fitzroy
Crossing, Derby, Broome, down to Perth, and then back across the Nullabour.
We saved so much money on taking the Landcrusier ($500 on diesel alone), that we had more money to spend on tours and other
activities.
So the Datsun 120Y has been more places since. Canberra (including taking a tandem bicycle), Gold Coast and Melbourne, as well
as Wilsons Promontory.
It is now retired.......(but not dead!)
Ex-George Fury Datsun 120Y to contest Targa High Country
One of the most potent and recognised rally cars of the 1980s will make its return to competition in
next month's Targa High Country tarmac rally, based in north east Victoria.
The Datsun 120Y driven by two-time Australian Rally Champion, George Fury, has been faithfully
rebuilt by Queenslander Jason Lea, and will be a star attraction at the inaugural event, round one of
the Octagon-owned Australian Targa Championship.
The Datsun will be one of 225 cars that will contest the three-day, 17-stage, 850 kilometre event that will start with a spectator stage
around the streets of Mansfield on Friday, November 5, and will finish on Mt Buller on Sunday, November 7.
Lea and co-driver, David Balfour, are excited to be bringing one of Australia's much-loved rally cars back for competition. The car's
rebuild has brought it back to its original specification, as driven by Fury in the 1986 Alpine Rally.
George Fury in action in the 1986 Alpine Rally.
After the disbanding of Nissan's factory rally team
in the early 1980s, former Nissan mechanic, Jamie
Drummond, built the 120Y using leftover parts from the
team's rally program.
While the Datsun 120Y was never the prettiest, or the
most successful car built by the Japanese manufacturer,
this particular example was transformed by Drummond
into a rally winner.
It is fitted with a potent Nissan FJ24 engine, mated to an
Option 1 close ratio gearbox, with a 'works' Stanza
purpose-built 5-link rear end.
"The engine was out to well over the standard 240RS Nissan's power output of 270 horsepower," Lea says. "Its torque of 250 foot
pounds was what gave the car an incredible ability to perform so well at the Alpine rallies from '83 to '86."
Originally built by famed engine builder Bill Blydenstein in the UK, the engine was straight out of a Group B Nissan 240RS that was
competing on the European rally circuit. It was later rebuilt in Australia by Dave Bailey.
Lea first saw the car when he spectated at the Alpine Rally in 1982, and held a long desire to purchase the car and see it back in
competition.
The ex-George Fury Datsun 120Y will compete in Targa High Country.
"Having been able to buy it a few years ago, I was not
prepared to separate it into bits and pieces and lose a
rare and original piece of Australian rallying history.
"The rebuild included a freshen up of the rare Nissan
FJ24 engine, and it is ready to tackle the demanding,
tight and twisty roads of Targa High Country.
"This car would have to be one of the most original, and
unique, rally cars in the country. The dust from the
Alpine Rally and the Stanley plantation (also in the
north east) is still under the carpets!" Lea added.
"I'm very much looking forward to giving the car its head
at Targa High Country."
Lea has many years experience in historic circuit racing,
having campaigned a Datsun 2000 Sports (Fairlady) and a
Datsun 280Z in the past, but he says, for him, his participation
in motorsport is more about the machinery.
"It's all about the cars - they are the history," he adds. "I am
just a custodian of the cars for a short while, but I very much
enjoy them as I put these fantastic Datsuns through the
rigours of competition."
Targa High Country consists of eight competitive stages each
day, heading north to Wangaratta via Whitfield on the
Saturday, and to Eildon via Jamieson on Sunday. Each day
will end with a 20 kilometre stage to the summit of Mt Buller. A
five kilometre stage around the streets of Mansfield will kick
off the event.
Further information on Targa High Country can be found at
the event website: www.targahighcountry.com.au
Sunny and featured an all new styling, now
very distinctly Japanese looking.
Initially there was little different from the
previous models, as underneath the suspension
and drive train were the same - even the
12" wheels were carried over.
The body and interior, however, were all new.
Available as a two or four door sedan, a
coupe, a wagon or a panel van, called Runner
there were also three door wagons available in
some markets. Utilising A series engines initially
of 1200cc, this was later upgraded to 1400cc.
American 120Y's also came with the A13 engine.
Enormously popular in many countries throughout
the world, the 120Y underwent undercarriage
modification in 1975 when the front suspension
was changed, 13" rims fitted and the later type
A12 engine with a 5 bearing crankshaft were used.
Never a glamorous car in its hey-day, the perennial
120Y can still be seen on the highways of today and,
due to its poor road manners is not particularly collectible.
But, as with all cars that have been out of production for
over 20 years, they are becoming more scarce and an
extremely good condition vehicle could just make a
good buying decision.
Add to this the public's love of re-cycled kitsch and the
120Y could, just maybe, make a come back.
LANDCRUISER TOO EXPENSIVE
An Adventure in a Datsun 120Y
(the most reliable car ever - ask a mechanic!)
I used to have this nice big Toyota Landcruiser.
Took it lots of places crossed the Simpson Desert for
one, but it was soooo expensive to fix. A couple of
years ago it needed fixing yet again.
So while the Landcrusier was being fixed I bought an old bomb Datsun 120Y for $850 to run around in. The mechanic looked at the
Landcrusier and said $5,500 to repair the gearbox, and this is the second time it had been fixed. In the meantime my son and I
planned to go to Darwin and across to Broome in Western Australia for four weeks.
I decided that I was sick of pouring money in this Landcrusier, and we had run out of time to fix the Landcrusier. We decided we would
take the Datsun 120Y travel light, and if it broke down, we would leave it and take the bus.
Well guess what it made it!. 13,000 kilometres from Adelaide to Darwin, through Kakadu, across to Western Australia Fitzroy
Crossing, Derby, Broome, down to Perth, and then back across the Nullabour.
We saved so much money on taking the Landcrusier ($500 on diesel alone), that we had more money to spend on tours and other
activities.
So the Datsun 120Y has been more places since. Canberra (including taking a tandem bicycle), Gold Coast and Melbourne, as well
as Wilsons Promontory.
It is now retired.......(but not dead!)
Ex-George Fury Datsun 120Y to contest Targa High Country
One of the most potent and recognised rally cars of the 1980s will make its return to competition in
next month's Targa High Country tarmac rally, based in north east Victoria.
The Datsun 120Y driven by two-time Australian Rally Champion, George Fury, has been faithfully
rebuilt by Queenslander Jason Lea, and will be a star attraction at the inaugural event, round one of
the Octagon-owned Australian Targa Championship.
The Datsun will be one of 225 cars that will contest the three-day, 17-stage, 850 kilometre event that will start with a spectator stage
around the streets of Mansfield on Friday, November 5, and will finish on Mt Buller on Sunday, November 7.
Lea and co-driver, David Balfour, are excited to be bringing one of Australia's much-loved rally cars back for competition. The car's
rebuild has brought it back to its original specification, as driven by Fury in the 1986 Alpine Rally.
George Fury in action in the 1986 Alpine Rally.
After the disbanding of Nissan's factory rally team
in the early 1980s, former Nissan mechanic, Jamie
Drummond, built the 120Y using leftover parts from the
team's rally program.
While the Datsun 120Y was never the prettiest, or the
most successful car built by the Japanese manufacturer,
this particular example was transformed by Drummond
into a rally winner.
It is fitted with a potent Nissan FJ24 engine, mated to an
Option 1 close ratio gearbox, with a 'works' Stanza
purpose-built 5-link rear end.
"The engine was out to well over the standard 240RS Nissan's power output of 270 horsepower," Lea says. "Its torque of 250 foot
pounds was what gave the car an incredible ability to perform so well at the Alpine rallies from '83 to '86."
Originally built by famed engine builder Bill Blydenstein in the UK, the engine was straight out of a Group B Nissan 240RS that was
competing on the European rally circuit. It was later rebuilt in Australia by Dave Bailey.
Lea first saw the car when he spectated at the Alpine Rally in 1982, and held a long desire to purchase the car and see it back in
competition.
The ex-George Fury Datsun 120Y will compete in Targa High Country.
"Having been able to buy it a few years ago, I was not
prepared to separate it into bits and pieces and lose a
rare and original piece of Australian rallying history.
"The rebuild included a freshen up of the rare Nissan
FJ24 engine, and it is ready to tackle the demanding,
tight and twisty roads of Targa High Country.
"This car would have to be one of the most original, and
unique, rally cars in the country. The dust from the
Alpine Rally and the Stanley plantation (also in the
north east) is still under the carpets!" Lea added.
"I'm very much looking forward to giving the car its head
at Targa High Country."
Lea has many years experience in historic circuit racing,
having campaigned a Datsun 2000 Sports (Fairlady) and a
Datsun 280Z in the past, but he says, for him, his participation
in motorsport is more about the machinery.
"It's all about the cars - they are the history," he adds. "I am
just a custodian of the cars for a short while, but I very much
enjoy them as I put these fantastic Datsuns through the
rigours of competition."
Targa High Country consists of eight competitive stages each
day, heading north to Wangaratta via Whitfield on the
Saturday, and to Eildon via Jamieson on Sunday. Each day
will end with a 20 kilometre stage to the summit of Mt Buller. A
five kilometre stage around the streets of Mansfield will kick
off the event.
Further information on Targa High Country can be found at
the event website: www.targahighcountry.com.au
CA18DET Powered Datsun 120Y. Who says CA's don't kick ASS
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RESOURCES
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