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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

Contents

1 Overview
- 1.1 Serial Numbers
2 Engine
- 2.1 Engine Swaps
3 Year Comparison
4 Grille Comparo
5 320 Truck
6 320 Pickup
7 320 Van
8 320 Sports
9 Brochures
10 Dimensions
11 Sales
- 11.1 North America
12 Pendles

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.

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☁
☁ ☁ ☁ ☁

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'
Post 397108 Post 397108

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
Album 18348

1963 320 - D mark in center of grille

1964 - wide grille, rectanguloid parking lamps

1965 - wide grille, round indicators in the grille

Grille Comparo

1955 120 brochure☁

1956 122

1957 123 - round parking lamps

1958 124 - no parking lamps on front

1958 220 - small parking lamps on front, fender-top blinkers

1959 125 - round parking lamps

1959 221 early - truck grille (nine slot)
☁

1959 U221 Double Cab Pickup
WIKI click for photo

1959 221 late - sedan grille

1960 126

1960 222 - no change to grille (front of bed side comes down below tires)

1961 223
☁

1962 320
Album 18348

1963 320 - D mark in center of grille

1964 - wide grille, rectanguloid parking lamps

1965 - wide grille, round indicators

320 Truck

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

Album 11956 Album 15093 Album 15617

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".

Datsun JDM brochure

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
Album 2667 Album 2668 Album 2669 Album 2670

Ratsun: wayneo's U320☁
☁ ☁ ☁ ☁

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)

☁ 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
☁

Discussion: ^POST Datsun 1200 N320 Ute

Brochures

LIGHT VAN (V320) / SINGLE-SEAT pickup (N320) / double-seat PICKUP (U320)
Ratsun

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

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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