| Datsun 120Y History |
The 120Y was launched
in 1973 and stayed in production in it's original form until 1977. In all, 2.3
million were produced worldwide. The car
was fitted with a 1171cc engine derived from the Austin A40 unit that Datsun
had produced in the 1930s. Those imaginative Japanese came up with the
name 120Y to replace the predictably titled Datsun 1200. In later years
Datsun gave their cars real names, and the face-lifted 120Y became the
Sunny.
The 120Y had a few stable-mates including the diminutive 100A,
the mid-sized 140J, the larger 180B and the sporty 240Z. Available in saloon,
coupe and estate bodies in the UK, the 120Y was sold
in the US as the B210, but failed to capture the Yanks imagination due
to being small and underpowered by American (or indeed any) standards.
Despite many Datsun models seeing a resurgence in recent years, the poor
old 120Y is still considered as a 'lesser Datsun', perhaps only the 100A
is less fondly remembered?
My 1976 120Y was reasonably well equipped,
with adjustable high backed seats, tinted windows, radio, clock and a rev
counter. It had a pleasant reclined driving position and seemed quick for
a 1200, comparable in performance to a Chevette. Fastest indicated speed
was 90mph on the North Circular (shortly before leaving the road with brake
failure).
After reading a copy of Custom Car for inspiration, my
friend Alan
and I painted yellow gloss flames down the sides of the car and over the
bonnet. The intention was to detail the flames in red but we got bored so
we just outlined them in instant marker.
The engine on my car was
sound, but the body was eaten away by rust. The floor rusted through, the
chassis rails rusted through, the turrets rusted through, the bodywork
rusted through. Even the fuel tank rusted through, passing rusty crud into
the carb and causing my only engine problem. Eventually no amount of
angle-iron based bodging and masking tape painted with underseal could fix
the problem, and the car was scrapped. |
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| Datsun 120Y Links |
| The Datsun Owners Club |
They refer to the 120Y as the B210, check out those cars! |
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| The Datsun 1200 Photo Gallery |
Not all 120Ys, but the drag racing pictures make up for it |
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| The Honey Bee |
Drag racing B210 |
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| Goosegog |
Lots of fun, nice 120Y coupe |
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| Greg Spurgin |
Lyrical 120Y Owner |
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| RatDat |
Great page about Datsuns |
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| Net Classicos |
A smashed up 120Y - why not? |
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| Mexican 120Ys |
Worth a gander |
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| JAW's 120Y Datto |
Shame his bro bent it. |
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| Steve's 120Y Coupe |
He done swapped out the motor |
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| Welcome to the 120Y |
Arty pictures, tricky site |
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| 120YAY |
The power of the 120Y! |
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