B120

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Revision as of 20:19, 30 December 2006

Nissan made a pickup truck version of the B110 Datsun Sunny 1200--the B120 "Sunny Truck" as it is commonly called in Japan. In Australia this was called the Datsun 1200 Ute. In South Africa it was known as the Bakkie. It was sold in South America, but sadly not in North America. The B120 is a wikipedia:Coupe utility type of pickup truck. A Coupe Utility is based on a car design and has an integral cargo bed (not a separate bed and cab as with traditional trucks).

The Nissan part number prefix for B120 is G20.

Model Years Produced

The "Datsun 1200" line has been produced from Model years 1971 to 2006 (so far ...). 1971-1973 was the regular run for the Coupe, Sedan and Wagon production.

NOTE: Model Years (MY) generally runs from October to September. So the 1972 MY was from Oct 1971 to Sep 1972

Australia

B120 production ended with 1985 models. However the 1200 utes are still a wildly popular vehicle and common on the used car market. Only regular wheelbase 1200 utes were sold, however over the years some used GB-120/121/122 (long-wheelbase models) have been imported for the used car market.

Japan Domestic Market

The Datsun 1200 truck was made from 1971-1994. Many of these used truck have been exported to many parts of the, especially Africa, South America, and New Zealand world and with the notable exception of USA).

For the 1989 Model year a major switch was made to the B122 model which features square headlights.

Sunny Truck (B122 & GB122) production in Japan ended in late 1994.

United States

No sunny trucks were ever sold new in the United States. At present there are known to have been a handful of B120s privately imported into the United States. See United_States#B120s_in_USA.

Nissan New Zealand

The Datsun 1200 ute was sold with Roadstar and Sportstar market names in New Zealand from 1981-1985. It was marketed as a "1/2 tonne pickup":

• 1971-1980 B120 models
• 1981-1983 models had A12 power and a 4-speed gearbox
• 1983-1985 models had A15 power with a 5-speed transmission

Marketing information use the spelling Road^Star and Sport^Star. And sometimes (?) Road*Star and Sport*Star.

Older utes are now relatively rare in New Zealand, perhaps because of rust issue in this island nation. However, newer utes are still common, as are used Japan-market utes that have been imported for the used-car market.

Road^Star

RoadStar standard features included:

• 69 bhp
• 49 mpg (17.3 km/l)
• 1/2 tonne payload
• Heater-demister (2-speed)
• Inertial reel Seat belts
• Carpet
• Electric Clock
• Lighter
• Vanity Mirror

...and more

Sport^Star

SportStar includes all RoadStart features plus:

• Tonneau cover
• Wool trim Seats
• Black window surrounds
• Sports stripe and pillar panel
• Black front bumper
• Tonneau cover
• Datsun exclusive white mag wheels
• Left and right hand exterior Mirrors

Options

Options included:

• Fibreglass Canopy with sliding interior window, side and rear windows
• Mirrors (does this mean L.H. mirror or vanity mirror?)
• Halogen replacement lamp unit
• Nudge bars
• Spoiler (Air dam)
• Centre Console
• Cowling scoops (Cowl-top vents?)
• Flares
• Weathershields - left & right hand
• Floor mats
• Stripe kit
• Radio & Stereo equipment
• Rally Jackets (anyone got a pic?)
• Driving lamps
• Mirrors (left & right)
• Wheels: Mags
• Hubcaps
• Wheel trim rings

• Rally Pak
  • Front spoiler (Air dam)
  • Wheel-arch Flares
  • Cowling scoops

• Off-Road Pak
  • Front nudge bar
  • Rear nudge bar
  • Driving lamps
  • Mudflaps
  • Plate frames

• Pak 1
  • Stripes
  • Mudflaps
  • Plate frames
  • Radio
  • Floor mats
  • Tonneau cover
  • Weather shield - Right hand

• Pak 2
  • Stripes
  • Mudflaps
  • Weather shield - Left and Right hand
  • Plate frames
  • Stereo cassette/radio
  • Floor mats
  • Left hand door mirror

L.H. mirror standard on SportStar, optional on RoadStar. Also a part of the Dress Pak 2 for Roadstar.

Nissan-Datsun South Africa

Nissan-Datsun South Africa originally imported B120s into South Africa. In 1976 production started in the Roslyn factory. In 1987 the South Africa-specific B140 model with A14-power and raised roof was developed.

The B140 is marketed as the Nissan 1400 LDV but commonly called the "Nissan bakkie".

Production of B140 continues in the year 2006. Obviously B140 Bakkies are very accesible, but older B120 bakkies are hard to find for sale. It seems the owners don't want to part with them.

B140s are also sold new in other African countries such as Zimbabwe. They are perfect for hauling a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog around in style.

Also see: Nissan B140 in-depth article.

South America

LHD Datsun 1200 trucks are fairly common in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala. They are commonly called Camionetas (little trucks).

Nissan Ecuador

Nissan of Ecuador produced LHD 1200 trucks in in-country factories from 1989-1999. This was necessary to meet government-mandated goals for domestic production.

Late Ecuador-built 1200s had square headlights.

Sales Dates

• B20 February 1967 a.k.a. Datsun 1000 ute
• B120 February 1971 a.k.a. Datsun 1200 ute
• B122 November 1986-1994 (Japan)
• B140 1986-2003 (South Africa) a.k.a. Bakkie