320
Introduced August 1961, the Datsun 320ᵂ light truck was commonly called the "1200" due to having 1200 badges. This denoted the size of the E1 engine, and not the model name (320) or market name (which was "Datsun" in the Japan domestic market). The 320 truck is closely related to the Bluebird 310 sedan and is unrelated to the Sunny family of subcompact vehicles like the B110 Datsun 1200.
Overview
The 320 Datsun 1200 was sold in Japan as the Datsun Truckᵂ, Nissan's eighth Datsun light truck model series. It was followed on by the 520 series in 1965 (marketed in North America as a 1966 model). The first Datsun truck to make 60 HP was the 1961 model 221, but "Datsun 1200" badges were not added until the Datsun 320.
https://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/MattStoffregen/Datsun/IMG_2659Small.jpg
The size is very similar to the B110. Length and width are nearly identical, but it is much taller due to its 1950's design.
Top speed: 105 kph (non-USA models) Weight: 955 kg Wheelbase: 2470 mm Bed: 6' x 4'8" Load Rating: -U: 500 lbs (1/4 ton) -N: 1000 lbs (1/2 ton) -P: 2000 lbs (1 ton)
For 1964 and 1965 there was a ute (coupe utility) version, the #N320/NL320.
Datsun 320 Pickup with custom flat-tray
1964 320 on display at Kona Nissan☁
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The first Datsun 1200
Serial Numbers
Numbers are on:
- the data plate to top center of the firewall
- stamped on the frame near the left side front tire
1961/1962/1963 are (L-)320-year digit-serial
e.g. L-320-2-01505B
1964/1965 are year-(L) 320-serial
e.g. 4-L 320-60214
320 export models for USA had:
- the year stamped on the chassis plate, unlike later Datsuns which had a special build plate on the door jamb.
- The chassis plate may have a year stamp that differs from the Car Number year digit
- NL serial numbers appear to start with Car Number "60xxx"
USA 320
Engine
The E1 "1200" engine displaced 1.2 liter (1189 cc). The E1 was produced from 1958 through the late 1960s. Those installed in 320 pickups were rated at 60HP. This was an older engine design modified from the 1950s Austin engine.
Main: E1
Engine stamp 'E1'
Engine Swaps
The Datsun J13 will bolt right up to the stock 320 transmission, the only piece you will most likely have to swap is the bellhousing adapter plate. This is the plate that is between the flywheel and the block. The E1 and the J13 have the same block bolt pattern, so the plate from the E1 will go right up to the J13 and then you can bolt up the J13 to the 320 4 speed. You may have to use the E1 flywheel and starter.
Year Comparison
1962 320 - round indicators outside the grille
1963 320 - D mark in center of grille
File:19633000993031 9291ec7f9a.jpg
1964 - wide grille, rectanguloid parking lamps
File:20110415190823DSC01788.jpg
1965 - wide grille, round indicators in the grille
Grille Comparo
1955 120 brochure☁
https://web.archive.org/web/20120828182537/http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun120brochure.jpg
1956 122
https://web.archive.org/web/20120922235337if_/http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun122brochure.jpg
1957 123 - round parking lamps
https://web.archive.org/web/20120804213213if_/http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun123brochure.jpg
1958 124 - no parking lamps on front
http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun124front.jpg/333.jpg
1958 220 - small parking lamps on front, fender-top blinkers
1959 125 - round parking lamps
https://web.archive.org/web/20110927001918if_/http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun125side.jpg
1959 221 early - truck grille (nine slot)
1959 U221 Double Cab Pickup
1959 221 late - sedan grille
File:Datsun-pickup-1958trck.jpg
1960 126
1960 222 - no change to grille (front of bed side comes down below tires)
File:20100716185728DSC09711.jpg
1961 223
https://web.archive.org/web/20120812052608if_/http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun223front.jpg
1962 320
File:600x450-kurumaerabi store 113191 0 1 1306139291464.jpg
1963 320 - D mark in center of grille
File:19633000993031 9291ec7f9a.jpg
1964 - wide grille, rectanguloid parking lamps
File:20110415190823DSC01788.jpg
1965 - wide grille, round indicators
320 Truck
新鋭 55 馬力 (State-of-the-art 55 hp) "The Machine" Datsun Truck
320 Pickup
Datsun U320 double-seat Pickup (ットサン ダブル シート ピックアップ) was officially marketed as the "Pickup" in the Japan domestic market, and sometimes called the "double cab".
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa40/steroid620/U3205.jpg
Datsun JDM brochure
File:Img 15.jpg File:Img 16.jpg
平日は商業車、休日は乗用車 Commercial vehicles on weekdays, passenger cars on holidays
featuring the #N320, the U320 and the #V320
Errol's 1965 U320
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320 Van
V320 is called the "Van" in Japan, but "Wagon" in some countries.
320 Sports
Coupe Utility versions of the 320 truck made 1963-1965. It was marketed as "Sports Pickup" in USA and "Pick-up" in Australia.
N320 (Right-hand drive) NL320 (Left-hand drive)
https://s6.postimg.cc/o43jmg1sx/Mouse_at_Work_26_March_2017.jpg
The N320 has a one-piece body with integral tray/bed, but sites atop a full-frame chassis. So, the N(L)320 is not a unibodyᵂ like the B120 Datsun 1200 Pickup.
Approximately 1000 were sold 1963-1965 by Nissan Motor Company in U.S.A., who advertised it as the Datsun "Sports Pickup"
https://web.archive.org/web/20130901203819/https://datsun320.com/images/nl320.jpg
NL320 (LHD)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52872467307_56f3802966_b.jpg
Discussion: POST Datsun 1200 N320 Ute
File:N320 1.jpg File:N320 2.jpg File:N320 3.jpg File:N320 4.jpg File:N320 5.jpg File:N320 6.jpg File:N320 7.jpg File:N320 8.jpg
Brochures
LIGHT VAN (V320) / SINGLE-SEAT pickup (N320) / double-seat PICKUP (U320)
Dimensions
As expected, the double-cab Pickup (#U320)) is the longest, 75mm (3 inches) longer than the regular 320 Truck
Dimensions and weight
Item\Model
,
truck
,
Light Van
,
pickup
Model
,
320
,
V320
,
U320
Overall length (mm)
,
4,125
,
4,145
,
4,275
Overall width (mm)
,
1,515
,
1,497
,
1,497
Overall height (mm)
,
1,610
,
1,545
,
1,545
Ground clearance (mm)
,
200
,
184
,
183
Luggage compartment length (mm)
,
1,850
,
1,555
940
,
880
Luggage compartment width (mm)
,
1,427
,
1,180
,
1,245
Luggage compartment height (mm)
,
406
,
905
,
1,545
Vehicle weight (kg)
,
955
,
1,020
,
1,000
Maximum loading capacity (n./kg)
,
2/1,000
,
2/500
5/300
,
5/400
Gross vehicle weight (kg)
,
2,065
,
1,630
1,595
,
1,675
Sales
North America
320 Pickup - ~8232 sold 1961-1965
320 Sport Truck - ~1000 sold 1963-1965
Pendles
Bench Seat is narrower than Datsun 1200 ute
flat-tray conversion 320
J15 1500 engine swapped for the old E1 "1200" engine
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