Body Styles

From Datsun 1200 Wiki

Table of contents

1.1 So what's the difference between a 2-dr "sedan" and a 2-dr "coupe"?'
1.2 Trim levels
1.3 Model Availability By Country
1.4 Sunny Truck
1.5 1200 GX
1.6 SSS 1200
1.7 S1 1200
1.8 Wheels Covers (hubcaps)
1.9 Custom Body Styles

1.9.1 Roadsters & Convertibles
1.9.2 Tudor 4-doors
1.9.3 Stretch Limousines
1.9.4 Extra Cab Trucks
1.9.5 C-ute

1.10 Comparison of B110 to B210 and B310

1.10.1 Subjective Analysis

1.11 More Information

2 Nissan Chassis Codes

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Datsun 1200 (B110) Body Styles

In Japan, the B110 is called the Sunny.

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=750) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=753)

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=751) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=754)

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=752) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=755)

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=749) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=748)

2-dr Coupe (fastback)
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=148) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=312)

2-dr Wagon (Van)
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=420) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=421)

4-dr Wagon (a.k.a. 5-dr Wagon)
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/638.jpg) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/672.jpg)

2-dr Sedan
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/140.jpg) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/143.jpg)

4-dr Sedan
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=515) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=514)

2-dr Utility (aka truck, pickup, "ute", camioneta or bakkie)
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/235.jpg) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/237.jpg)

Search the Photo Album (http://datsun1200.com/search.php) for more pictures of all these models.

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So what's the difference between a 2-dr "sedan" and a 2-dr "coupe"?'

A sedan is a car with a back seat, where the back seats passengers have more of less the same room as the front seat passengers. Also, it has a separate trunk compartment. A coupe on the other hand has no back seat or a smaller rear-seat passenger area.

coupe [ koop ]
car with two doors: a car with two doors and a hard, fixed roof that seats two people or has a small rear seat.
Also called coupé: Coupe - Encarta World English Dictionary (http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861670956/coupe.html)

This is another example of the word evolving over time. Originally coupe meant two passengers inside and a driver outside.

Sedan
U.S. type of car: a car with a fully enclosed passenger compartment, a permanent roof, two or four doors, front and rear seats, and a separate trunk
Sedan - Encarta World English Dictionary (http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861712364/sedan.html)

In the case of the 1200 Coupe, the trunk area is not separate from the passenger compartment (even though it has a "trunk lid" not a hatchback).

The 1200 coupe was not marketed as a 2+2. The Datsun 1200 Sedan is more optimized for both front and rear passengers (the 1200 sedan has more headroom in back seat, you'll notice, even though the seats are the same size). However the Datsun 1200 Coupe has a regular back seat, not an abbreviated seat as found in 2+2 models like Porsche 911.

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Trim levels

Trim levels and names vary by country, but include basic Standard, better Semi-Deluxe, Deluxe (DX) luxury GL (Grand Luxury) and sporty GX (Grand Luxury Twin-Carb). Japan-market trim levels for B110 (1200) and PB110 (1400) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=743)

Coupes only came in the higher trim levels (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=461)

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Model Availability By Country

Australia got the Coupe, 4-dr Sedan, Ute, 4-dr Wagon and 2-dr Wagon (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=15) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=17)

United States got only the 2-dr Deluxe Sedan and the standard or Deluxe Coupe in left-hand drive version (LB110). LHD models have hydraulic clutches.
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=130) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=131)

England

The "Sunny 1200s" in the UK were:

Deluxe 2-Door Saloon

Deluxe 4-Door Saloon (sedan)

Coupe

Estate Car (station wagon)

Japan got everything :-) including the Standard, GL, and Deluxe trims. In late 1971, the GX was added.
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=738) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=737) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=736)
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=154)
That's the 1200 GX (B110) on the left, and the special Excellent 1400 series (PB110) on the right. Excellent models have a different front bonnet (hood), grill and wings (fenders) and tail lights, and different interior from B110s.

lights in grille

pointed bonnet

lights at edges of grill

For more info on the PB110, see the article Datsun PB110 Excellent Series

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Sunny Truck

2-dr Utility (aka truck, pickup, "ute" or bakkie). Technically these are B120 (1200cc) and B140 (1400cc) models.

Nissan South Africa (http://www.um.co.za/nissan/models/1400/gallery.html) still makes the B140 long-wheelbase ute: (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=150)
2003 Bakkie B140

The Bakkie is also called the "Botsotso (http://www.autoafrica.co.za/content/news/singlepage.asp?in=1755)" after the South African Chief's soccer legend "Botsotso" Dladla.

Australia produced the B120 until 1985.

New Zealand produced the RoadStar (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=303) and SportStar (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=385) utes.

In South America, the 1200 "pick up" was sold until the 90s (?) and is called a camioneta (light truck). You can sometimes find a used one for sale in Costa Rica or Ecuador (http://ec.clasificados.st/autos?tb=datsun&c%5B%5D=&r%5B%5D=) even today. Production in Ecuador started in 1987 (http://www.expreso.ec/autos/produccion1.asp)

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1200 GX

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=118)
Regular Wagon with GX trim added

The Japan-only GX 4-dr and GX Coupes had:

Special A12GX engine (http://datsun1200.com/modules/nsections/index.php?op=viewarticle&artid=33) with custom intake air box

(1972-73 only) Hood has slight raised center bulge for GX and GL trims

special grille with GX emblem

GX badge on boot

GX taillights

wood steering wheel

high back seats

heated rear window

GX-5 features -- model year 1973 (cars made in 1972 (Year S47) and 1973 (Year S48))

5-speed trans with direct 1:1.00 5th gear

new front grille, lights and hood line

interior door panels

new instrument panel, similar to B210 and Excellent

red GX-5 strip along side of car

reference: Sunny and Cherry site (http://www.venus.dti.ne.jp/~mkokubun/Spec.htm)

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SSS 1200

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=85)

B110 SSS was a special version created by Datsun New Zealand. It has:

SSS grille badge

sss badge on the glove box

custom deep-dish steering wheel

twin 40mm Dellorto carbs

NZ-made intake manifold

custom air box (similar to the Japan Domestic Model GX airbox)

Coby extractors (headers)

Round gauges as in the coupe

black patches on the bonnet with black down the sills and front and rear skirts

driving lights (optional?)

Datsun Competition rally spec 270 degree camshaft

12" slotted "mag" wheels by Ward Wheels

12 inch Jellybean mags by Cheviot with radial tyres

center console below heater with tachometer

two flat-black rectangle stripes on bonnet and boot

boot spoiler on some SSS vehicles (not all)

based on the Deluxe body,which provides the Deluxe interior arm rest door handles and high back front seats

discussion: Datsun 1200 sss (http://datsun1200.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7987&post_id=20203&order=0&viewmode=flat&pid=20181&forum=1)

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S1 1200

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/viewcat.php?op=&cid=23) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=50)

Datsun of Portugal created and sold the S1 2-dr Sedan. It included:

gauge package: Tachometer, oil pressure and ammeter, Center console and Sport driving wheel

Fog lights

S1 badge

Double valve springs>

Free flow exhaust system

Head work (+compression)

Enlarged 12"wheels

Modified guards flares (so enlarged weels will not hit the body)

Big Horizontal stripe in each side of the car

Different front grill, painted black and without the center datsun badje

A12 engine with Red ignition coil and 75 HP rating

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Wheels Covers (hubcaps)

See the main article: Hubcaps.

GL DX STD

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Custom Body Styles

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Roadsters & Convertibles

Roadsters have no rollup side windows and no folding top. Convertibles have roll-up side windows and a folding top.
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=115) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=410)

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=577) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1715) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=2104) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=2110) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=6730) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=6931) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1180) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=621)

Coupe 'verts are what we like to call convertibles made out of a Datsun 1200 Coupe. They can also be made out of sedans.
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=577) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1671) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=2106) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=2107)

Roadster concept
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=621)

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Tudor 4-doors

Tudor 4-doors are 2-door sedans created out of 4-door sedans. These are rarely seen, usually in a country where 2-dr sedans are rare.

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=11386) (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=12494)

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Stretch Limousines

Limo made from 4-dr sedan:
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=744) Limousine

2-dr Sedan-based Limo:
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1750)

Limousine is also the german word for sedan:
(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=777)

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Extra Cab Trucks

For details on custom extra-cab versions of Datsun 1200 trucks, see: Extra cab.

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=708) Extra-cab ute

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C-ute

The coupe-ute is a rarely seen body style.

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=17747)

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Comparison of B110 to B210 and B310

Some feel that the B110 was the perfection of the B-class (subcompact) rwd Datsun. Consider some facts:

WEIGHT: lighter means faster accelerating with same engine

B110	1640 pounds (700 kg)
B210	2000 pounds (overweight?)
B310	2000 pounds (bigger than B210, yet just as light)

Fuel Economy

model	engine	trans	Highway
B110	A12	4-speed	37.9 mpg (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=23)
B210	A14	5-speed	50 mpg (http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1661)
B310	A12A?	5-speed	47 mpg

Braking performance 60-0 mph (smaller is better):

model	light load	full load
B110	195 ft	190 ft
B210	196 ft	211 ft
B310	?	?

Acceleration & Passing (smaller is better):

model	engine	20-35 mph	50-80 mph
B110	A12	9.2 sec	16.6 sec
B210	A13 (1974)	9.0 sec	15.6 sec
B310	A14	?	?

Size (in millimeters):

sedan	length	wheelbase	width	track	height	turning	clearance
B110	3830	2300	1495	1240	1390	4.1 m	170 mm
B210	4080	2340	1545	1275	1360	4.7 m	170
B310	4190	2340	1580	1330	1365	turning	165

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Subjective Analysis

The B10, Datsun 1000, introduced in 1966 was a successful car. But really small by modern standards. And small compared to Corolla. But most importantly it was considered too small for the United States market, where the B10 was not offered.

The B110 series Datsun 1200 introduced in 1970 was larger, almost identical in dimensions to Corolla. This was the right size for the times.

The 1974 B210 series had several goals for improvement over B110: Slightly larger, more world-ready, more luxurious. More interior room. Reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Because of the extra weight, Nissan USA was forced to fit larger engines to keep up the performance.

Instead of the "rational" styling of B110, B210 would have a "Young and Dynamic" image based on the "Streamline and a Cut" styling theme. It would also have a "Sharp and Soft" atmosphere, "Long-nosed" proportion, and "Streamline and Dynamic" style (reference: 1974 B210 Introduction Service Bulletin). Was the B210 styling successful? On the one hand Yes, it definitely sold well, and many people today still like the coke-bottle styling. On the other hand No -- Datsun went back to the "rational" styling for the B310. And many today see the B210 style as more dated than B110 or B310.

The 1979 B310 series was longer and wider yet lower. And a return to the utilitarian (more boxy) styling. It handled better than B210, was more roomy, yet didn't weigh any more. It had a significantly smoother ride due to a change from rear leaf spring suspension (as used in trucks...) to coil-spring rear with 4-link design (as used in most large sedans of the times).

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