Datsun DA

Datsun
Datsun 17 (base model)
THERE
Sales designation:	THERE
Production period:	1947-1948
Class :	Small car
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 0.72 liters (11 kW)
Length:	3150 mm
Width:	1330 mm
Height:	1570 mm
Wheelbase :	2006 mm
Empty weight :	520 kg
Previous model	Datsun 17
successor	Datsun DS

The Datsun DA was the first post-war vehicle from the automobile manufacturer Datsun . After the end of World War II , the Nissan Motor Company was hard hit financially. Much of the production was stopped in 1944 as many factories were damaged by bombing. Due to the capacities for military vehicles required by the Japanese military, car production was almost completely stopped in 1938.

In 1946, Nissan began preparations to start production. Factories were rebuilt and repaired and Datsun's first post-war passenger car, the Datsun DA, was designed. Due to a lack of materials and resources, this became a modified version of the pre-war Datsun 17 model . Datsun's first post-war vehicle was the Datsun 1121 , a small truck based on the pre-war model Datsun 17 Truck . The 1121 was manufactured from August 1946 and was followed by the Datsun DA in November 1947. All the nice details of the pre-war models were gone as chrome was not available. The grille therefore consisted of a steel plate with punched holes. At the beginning the DA had an angular flat back. Towards the end of production this was redesigned and had a much more rounded shape. The bonnet was that of the Datsun 17 truck and not the Datsun 17, as it was easier to produce in parallel with the 1121. The pre-war Datsun Type 7 engine with 722 cm³ and 16 hp, coupled with a 3-speed manual transmission, was used as the drive . The Datsun DA was not even produced for a year, but it was an important step towards a return to real car production. In 1948 it was replaced by the Datsun DS .

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