Just as the PB110 was the Excellent variant of the B110 equipped with an L-Series OHC instead of an A-Series OHV engine, so was the PB210 the Excellent variant of the B210.
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Overview
Just like the PB110 Excellent line, the PB210 Excellent was available in Coupe and 4-dr sedan versions.
The Sunny Excellents were sold in Japan. Also, a Sunny Excellent variant was sold by Datsun-Nissan South Africa and marketed as the "140Y and 160Y", along with sporty special coupes "140Z & 160Z".
The Sunny Excellents and all B210 came with the same 2340 mm wheelbase, 40 mm longer than the Datsun 1200 B110.
The Excellent was a heavy-duty version of the B210, featuring larger wheels and suspension components. The North American B210 was based on the running gear of the Excellent but with regular sheet metal and A-series engines.
EXCELLENT B210/120Y USA B210 wheel/tyre 13" 12" 13" brakes large small large differential H165 H145/H150 H145/H150
In addition, the Excellent used heavy-duty A-arms, balljoints and shocks.
Sunny Excellent 1400 (PB210)
Made during 1973-1975, the PB210 Excellent was equipped with a 1428cc L-series engine overhead-cam engine, the L14.
Model designations were PB210 (4-dr Sedanᵂ) and KPB210 (Coupeᵂ). In this article, PB210 may be used to designate either the Coupe or Sedan.
Drivetrain options were L14S (Single-carb) engine or L14T (Twin-carb) engine both with either automatic transmission or 4-speed manual transmission. To avoid model overlap, the regular B210 Sunnys came with a 1200cc A-Series engine. The Excellent 1400 was an upscale model.
The PB210 Excellent was initially available in DX, GL or GX trim levels. The GX level always came with the Twin Carb engine.
Misc. differences in the PB210 as compared with the B210:
- longer hood and fenders
- unique tail lights
- unique front grill divided into twin-opening mouths
- larger side marker lights
- larger front bumper
- larger front turnsignals, mounted in valance instead of bumper
- unique C pillar vent on Coupe
- unique radiator support and front valance
- unique 13" wheels (all other JDM B210, including A14-powered, used 12"). North America B210 used the Excellent wheels.
- unique hubcaps (Honeycomb style)
- GL used silver honeycomb, same as North America Sedan
- GX used darkened honeycomb, same as North America Coupe
- H165 rear differential per catalog
- 180 kph speedometer (instead of 160 kph)
The PB210 Sedan GX and all Coupes used a sport instrument cluster with individual guages, and came with driving lights integrated into the front grill, similar options to those found on the B210 GX.
Unlike the PB110, which used 510 style front strut towers, the PB210 retained the B210 style front strut towers.
Interior included upscale cloth and wood trims - beyond that of 1200 GX
Engines
Excellent came with overhead-cam engines. To avoid model overlap, the regular B210 Sunnys came with a 1200cc A-Series engine. The Excellent 1400 was an upscale model.
Engines DX, GL L14S Single Nikki 282 2-bbl carburetor GX L14T Twin Hitachi 38mm sidedraftsDrivetrain options were L14S (Single-carb) engine or L14T (Twin-carb) engine both with either automatic transmission or 4-speed manual transmission. The Twin Carb models were also available with optional 5-speed.
1400 Coupe
Comparison: regular B210 Coupe (green) and PB210 Coupe (red)
Note the Excellent Coupe triple round taillights.
1400 Sedan
PB210 Sedan set up for Australian rally
Sunny GL 1400 Sedan
Sunny GX 1400 sedan: S50 PB210
POST Malaysia with Weber downdraft carb
Sunny Excellent 1600 (GB211)
For 1976-1977 Nissan changed the Sunny Excellent from a distinct vehicle model (PB210) to simply a trim-level option for the regular B211. The Excellent 1600 was chassis code GB211 (4-dr) or KGB211 (Coupe).
The Excellent 1600 entered production February 1976.
For 1976, the L16 engine replaced the L14. The engine was the L16S, meaning Single-carb L16. A Twin-carb version was not offered per Model Series B210 Parts Catalog revision 1978 July. This was to avoid model overlap, as the HB211 was introduced with an A14T Twin Carb engine. The Excellent 1600 was an upscale luxury version.
It was publicly introduced March 1976. This TV commercial featured famous celebrities the Sano family.
V I D E O Nissan Sunny CM (1976) (click to view)新型サニー発表展示会 3月6土7日 お近くのサニー販売会社社へ | New Sunny announcement presentation March 6th Saturday 7th To Sunny sales company near you |
TRIM LEVELS
GL 1600 4-dr sedan * GB211GT w/F4W63 4-speed * GB211GA w/3N71B automatic * GB211GF w/FS5W63A 5-speed
GX 1600 4-dr sedan * GB211JT w/F4W63 * GB211JF w/FS5W63A
The 1600 also came in Coupe form (KGB211). The coupe had the same trim and transmission choices, except that the automatic was available on the GX and not the GL trim.
Misc changes for 1976-77:
- DX trim dropped (Only GL & GX available)
- Redesigned front grilles. Instead of twin-mouth grille, now single
- Redesigned fender mirrors
- GX-L & GL-L trim levels offered in 1977 per brochure
- GX-L - KGB211JH (4-speed) & KGB211JFH (5-speed)
- GL-L - KGB211GFH (5-speed) & KGB211GAH (auto)
- New OPTION B aluminum 5Jx13 wheel from February 1977
Here is a GB211 brochure showing the wheel
In 1978, Malaysia received a facelift called the Excellent. These B210s were equipped with the Excellent tail lights but powered by A12 engines. This demonstrates a fact that some export A-engine powered B210s were equipped with the Excellent tail lights.
Rear shot of a New Zealand B210 4dr Sedan:
1600 Sedan
1600 Coupe
Grille
FAQs
Didn't some Sunny Excellent 1400s come with the A14 engine?
No Excellents came with A14 engine. Remember, the "Excellent 1400" was the PB210. In the PB210 JDM Parts Catalog from Nissan, no A-series engines are listed for PB210. A14-powered models were the HB210 starting in 1975 in North America and the JDM "B211" facelift model (HB211). There were three different engines available for the B211 from 1976 - A12, A14 and L16. The L16-powered versions were marketed as the Excellent 1600. Taken from a JDM brochure: A12 models:B211, A14 models: HB211, L16 models:GB211
Don't the 1976 Sunny Excellent models carry the "PB" chassis designation?
Non. The 1976 Sunny Excellents are covered in the regular B210 Parts Catalog. Here are the model numbers listed:
- (sedan) L16 GB211GT, GB211GA, GB211GF, GB211JT, GB211JF
- (coupe) L16 KGB211G, KGB211GA, KGB211GF, KGB211J, KGB211JF
These were GL and GX models, all started manufacture February 1976. These are L-series B210s, but the catalog it never uses the PB- model prefix.
South Africa
Datsun-Nissan South Africa produced PB210s and GB211s and marketed them as 140Y/160Y and 140Z/160Z
See main articles: * 140Y and 160Y Coupes & Sedans * 140Z and 160Z coupe specials
Badges
Photo Index
In addition to any photo above, here are more of the B210 Sunny Excellent photos from our club photo album.
Click any thumbnail to see it full size in our Club Photo Album. Read details or post a comment!