320

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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.

Album 13597





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

Album 1181


1964 320 on display at Kona Nissan☁

https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_04/IMG_6726.thumb.JPG.1ba6f2821e4e6c86e5cd397f9360a55c.JPG☁ https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_04/IMG_6728.thumb.JPG.73db67584ab0ea9af1e8409abaf1d626.JPG☁ https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_04/IMG_6727.thumb.JPG.a18d4d4e2758aaf75f3ad91f83982904.JPG☁ https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_04/IMG_6729.thumb.JPG.8f24e8ee63cf9aac69b9e56d986c04cb.JPG☁


The first Datsun 1200

https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_04/IMG_6730.thumb.JPG.95731808cb34ed157061d6360c4ddd51.JPG☁



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

File:DSCN0024.jpg



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'

Post 397108 Post 397108



Engine Swaps

#J15 Swap


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

Album 18348


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

File:1175483649134563.jpg



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

File:Datsun220truck.jpg


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

WIKI click for photo


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 Album 18348


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

File:1175483649134563.jpg



320 Truck

新鋭 55 馬力 (State-of-the-art 55 hp) "The Machine" Datsun Truck

File:320 machine.jpg


Album 11956 Album 15093 Album 15617


Post 371182


Post 414145 Post 414145 Post 414145 Post 414145 Post 414145 Post 414145 Post 414145 Post 414145 Post 414145



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.jpgRatsun


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

File:Img 1.jpg File:Img 2.jpg


Errol's 1965 U320

Album 2667 Album 2668 Album 2669 Album 2670


Ratsun: wayneo's U320☁

https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_03/DSC00333.JPG.cccf3b98b4775fa8319e96f5fde609c7.JPG☁ https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_03/DSC00332.JPG.2c3d44e86ac57f161f669d02e1b51ca8.JPG☁ https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_03/DSC00334.JPG.fc0bc5eed93f8fa38827108a79e13a09.JPG☁ https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_03/DSC00335.JPG.e8cc93c9845ea61fb65f7710d48efa12.JPG☁



320 Van

V320 is called the "Van" in Japan, but "Wagon" in some countries.


Post 307950



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☁ Album 9018 Album 8210


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://datsun320.com

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)

https://ratsunstorage.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2025_04/zz1.thumb.jpg.42275ae5c3dc96f3b8267f08bedf90c7.jpgRatsun





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

Album 15634 Album 15628


Bench Seat is narrower than Datsun 1200 ute

Album 15627


Album 15626


flat-tray conversion 320

Album 15635 Album 15629 Album 15630 Album 15617


J15 1500 engine swapped for the old E1 "1200" engine

Album 15633 Album 15632 Album 15631 


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