Datsun 200B

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Datsun

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160B / 180B / 200B
Production period: 1977-1981
Class : Middle class
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:
Petrol engines : 1.6–2.0 liters
(72–82 kW)
Length: 4245-4310 mm
Width: 1630 mm
Height: 1380-1390 mm
Wheelbase : 2500 mm
Empty weight : 1084 kg
Previous model Datsun 180B
successor Datsun Bluebird

The Datsun 200B was a mid-range car from the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan , which was offered in Australia from 1977 to 1981 as the successor to the Datsun 180B . First, the door 4 when it was sedan , 5-door station wagon and two-door hardtop - Coupe deliverable cars Japanese design completely introduced from Japan. The coupe was called SSS. The sedan was manufactured in Australia from January 1978, the station wagon followed a little later. The sedan was available in the equipment variants GL and GX, the coupé only as a hardtop, but - unlike its predecessor - with a round window in the C-pillar. 1979 the delivery of the coupe to Australia was stopped.

Almost immediately after its introduction, the 200B became Australia's best-selling four-cylinder car and remained so until the Mitsubishi Sigma appeared . The car also remained popular throughout its production period, and family men in particular appreciated the large interior space and the good standard equipment. Perhaps the 200B looked a bit conservative, but Nissan made sure it was reliable and durable, qualities that Australian buyers valued more than an advanced design.

The 2.0L four-cylinder in-line engine of the 200B was a larger-capacity version of the engine that was built into the 180B and was called the L20B . The 1952 cc machine was good for 112 bhp (82 kW).

Only the early sedans and coupes, imported entirely from Japan, retained the rear independent suspension of the 180B. The Australian-made 200B got coil springs and trailing arms instead, while the station wagon had a rigid axle with leaf springs. This technical change was seen as a big step backwards, but it was not due to cost savings, but to the need to use 85% of the parts from Australian production so that Nissan was considered an Australian manufacturer under the rules of the government at the time. But especially the rear rigid axle, which was developed in Australia, turned out to be an advantage for the handling of the cars.

The main disadvantage of the 200B was its high noise level. The 2.0 l ohc engine ran very loudly in the upper speed range and there were also considerable vibrations from the drive. The complaints about this resulted in a revision of the exhaust tract by the Japanese manufacturer and so the later models ran a little quieter.

A sporty version of the sedan came out in June 1978. The new SX had a revised grille, a front spoiler, aluminum rims, a modified interior (striped fabric inserts in the seats) and a rev counter . The chassis has also been modified to achieve better driving characteristics. The new model was available in blue, red and white paintwork and there was only a four-speed manual transmission with a center shift. The SX was a model only made in Australia and marked the step away from the pure assembly of cars constructed in Japan. This in turn meant that future Datsun and later Nissan models were redesigned in their construction on site in order to be better tailored to Australian needs. Many of the components in these cars were sourced from Australian suppliers, a tradition that Nissan maintained until the Australian manufacturing facility was closed in 1991.

In October 1979, a revised 200B appeared with new grille, bumpers, exterior trim and dashboard. The seats were a purely Australian design and were also built in the country. This facelift was performed by Paul Beranger, a former Holden designer. In 2006 he designed the Toyota Aurion .

In 1980 a special model 200B Aspen GL came out as a sedan in special, muted paint colors - green, blue and gray. Both the 180B and 200B were very popular with Australian drivers, although nowadays hardly any of these models can be seen on the road. These vehicles will soon be very sought after by enthusiasts, but there are hardly any left.

Production of the 200B ceased in May 1981. Its successor was the Datsun Bluebird 910.

The Australian comedy band Tripod wrote a song about this car called 200B .

160B / 180B / 200B in New Zealand

Datsun 180B 1978-1981

This model was also released in New Zealand in 1977 , where it was built from CKD sets as a 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon. A 2-door coupe, imported entirely from Japan, was also available. Unlike in Australia, the sedans had independent rear suspension like the Japanese versions.

In the first few months of production, the cars continued to have the 1.8 liter engine and were therefore also called the 180B .

In the course of 1978 some changes were made to this model, in particular an engine enlarged to 2.0 l (which led to the model designation 200B ) and a small facelift with a new grille and rectangular headlights. To meet the New Zealand preference for less powerful cars, a model with a 1.6 liter engine was also brought out, which was offered as the 160B .

Production of the New Zealand 160 B / 200B continued until the end of 1980; then the Datsun Bluebird 910 replaced these cars.

Web links

Commons : Datsun 200B  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ 200B . Box Set Lyrics 05.