RSS Feed From Unique Cars and Parts Classifieds


Datsun 120Y

Send This Page To A Friend
Datsun

Datsun 120Y

1973 - 1977
Country:
  Japan
Engine:
  4 cyl.
Capacity:
  1200 / 1400 cc
Power:
  69 bhp
Transmission:
  4 spd man / 3 spd auto
Top Speed:
  n/a
Number Built:
  2,360,670
Collectability:
  1 star
 
 
The 120Y was the third generation Datsun Sunny and featured an all new styling, now very distinctly Japanese looking.

Initially there was little different from the previous models, as underneath the suspension and drive train were the same - even the 12" wheels were carried over.

The body and interior, however, were all new. Available as a two or four door sedan, a coupe, a wagon or a panel van, called Runner there were also three door wagons available in some markets. Utilising A series engines initially of 1200cc, this was later upgraded to 1400cc. American 120Y's also came with the A13 engine.

Enormously popular in many countries throughout the world, the 120Y underwent undercarriage modification in 1975 when the front suspension was changed, 13" rims fitted and the later type A12 engine with a 5 bearing crankshaft were used.

Never a glamorous car in its hey-day, the perennial 120Y can still be seen on the highways of today and, due to its poor road manners is not particularly collectable.

But, as with all cars that have been out of production for over 20 years, they are becoming more scarce and an extremely good condition vehicle could just make a good buying decision.

Add to this the public's love of re-cycled kitsch and the 120Y could, just maybe, make a come back.

Visitor Rating:



Reader Reviews page 1 of 1
Click here to add your review
mitchell
Posted 11 days ago
i have a datsun 120y panel van and i love it , all my friends think it is pice of *** but it is not, now i wil name the things i have done to it , i have a weber.extractores,a huge cam , a done up head , some 17 inch rims,lsd diff,sports streeing wheel,n and just some other inside stuff and all from supercheap auto
DEREK
Posted 59 days ago
THE RELIABLE 120Y WAS THE FIRST CAR I HAD,VERY ROBUST HARD WEARING CONSIDERING I DROVE IT HARD IT NEVER MISSED A BEAT.CHEAP TO MAINTAIN ,IN ITS DAY IT TOPPED BRITISH BUILT CARS FOR DESIGN RELIABILITY COMFORT ETC.OVERALL A GREAT LITTLE CAR AND A JOY TO OWN UNLIKE MODERN DAY CARS
Bruce
Posted 76 days ago
120Y's were noted for their ability to do roll overs. This was not the fault of the car. It was due to drivers, like me, who were use to driving cars with four or more turns lock to lock along with rather vague steering response. When I first drove a 120Y I regarded the steering as very touchy and scary. A step back into driving the afore mentioned vehicles taught me that the 120Y had very direct and responsive steering.
On a score of one to ten, the 120Y doesn't score much for comfort but when it comes to starting, coming and going and reliability. its ten out of ten. Durability is a ten plus.
Bruce 120Y driver for 23 years, 600,000 ks, over both sealed and gravel roads
hamid
Posted 179 days ago
120y is the best car !, still in good condition after serving me for 30years.
Sohaib Hassan
Posted 196 days ago
Five years back I had this car. I love this car, to me its like hummer to hummer lovers. I had this car for more than 15 years as my father bought it and i used it for 6 years before we sold it. This car had a very great drive and never let you down in any long drives. Once i even it drove it to other city without checking the oil. my lovely 120 Y got me there and then i got it repaired there
Franz chong
Posted 205 days ago
My Auntie had one of these.the first of many Datsuns and Nissans to join the family.The Coupe which was imported from Japan.I drive a Nissan Tiida now which is the modern day version of her 120Y and love it.Mines a Hatchback though.One of the best small cars ever made
andy
Posted 237 days ago
My family has a sky blue one of these. It is great , it runs on its 69 BHP engine and has 12 inch jellybean mags on it. If only they werent so slow to accelerate. But truly the BEST small car ever made.
Viv
Posted 329 days ago
The 120Y was our family car for years and was the vehicle my siblings and I all learned to drive in. We all loved it! It was aqua blue, had black vinyl seats, no middle seat belt in the back, and an odometer which stopped after its 3rd time around the clock. It became our run-about car for the remainder of its 23 years with us. The only thing that stopped it was when someone actually stole it and the perpetrators killed it by taking it bush bashing and boiling it! Our 120Y was singlehandedly blamed for my Uncle's English wife divorcing him after they used it to tour around in one Australian summer :)
Paul
Posted 392 days ago
My Mum had one of these - the hatchback. It was brilliant - Mum & Dad flogged the living daylights out of it - I don't know how many trips between Adelaide & Melbourne it did with a minimum of maintenance. When they went OS & I got my hands on it we could fit four blokes & 4 surfboards in it & I only charged an iced coffee for fuel as it used so little. It only died after my Mum put it into a stobie pole!
Joey
Posted 399 days ago
This was my very first car, a divine "baby diarohea poo" coloured automatic sedan! Yes, auto - why did they bother. Fond memories of 4 people in the car, bottom of Punt Rd in Melbourne (steep incline) trying to inch my way up the hill with traffic giving me grief!! Such fun, but I loved it! Especially when my "mates" chocked the diff up with a log leaving the back wheels about 1 cm from road but enough to cause hysterical laughter as I tried to get the poor thing to move!
 
back
Unique Cars and Parts - The Ultimate Classic Car Resource
next