Datsun DB

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Datsun DB
Production period: 1948-1954
Class : Small car
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van
Previous model: Nissan 70
Successor: Nissan A50

In March 1948, Datsun presented the Datsun DB series for the first time. It was the first modern-looking Japanese new car development since the Second World War and at that time it was in the upper middle class. Until the end of 1954, the DB series, officially marketed as Datsun deLuxe from 1949 , was continuously modernized and replaced by the Nissan A50 based on an Austin Motors .

Datsun DB / Datsun deLuxe DB-2 (1948–1950)

DB / Datsun deLuxe (DB-2)
Crosley CC

Crosley CC
Production period: 1948-1950
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon
Engines: Otto engine :
0.72 liters (11.8 kW)
Length: 3150 mm
Width: 1330 mm
Height: 1570 mm
Wheelbase : 2006 mm
Empty weight : 520 kg

The Datsun DB appeared in 1948 with a modern aerodynamically designed shape. The two-part radiator grille and a continuous bead on the bonnet stood out in particular. The design came from Datsun only to a limited extent, because the DB was basically a copy of the 1947 Crosley CC. The US automobile manufacturer Crosley Motors , founded by Powel Crosley in 1939, presented a very strikingly designed new model with two grille openings in 1947. There is no record of when or how Datsun obtained one or more models of the new Crosley CC to copy the design. However, this was probably due to the fact that after the end of World War II, US occupation troops were still stationed in Japan and imported American vehicles. Although no body panels were alike, it is obvious that the Datsun DB was a copy. The only significant differences were the design of the grille, hood, and windshield length. This was shorter on the Datsun DB because a larger engine compartment was needed to accommodate the Datsun Type 7 engine. In addition, the windshield was rectangular in shape with square corners. On the Crosley CC, the corners of the disc were rounded. The side valve engine was from the pre-war era. It had 722 cc and 15 hp and was used in most Datsun models from 1935 onwards. In the DB, the power was transmitted by a three-speed manual transmission.

Although Powel let Crosley Datsun know that he was not happy with the whole thing, he did not take legal action. The reasons for this may have been that Crosley was in serious financial trouble with his own car company. Furthermore, there was no danger that the Datsun models would be sold outside of Japan. In addition, the US was very interested in getting the Japanese economy back on track and was probably also interested in ensuring that the Nissan company did not incur any financial burdens during the consolidation phase after the end of the war. In 1949, however, Datsun changed the design of the DB a little to make it look less like the Crosley CC, to the Datsun DB-2.

Datsun deLuxe DB-2 1949-1950

The DB-2, which came on the market in 1949, was technically unchanged from the DB. From now until the end of production in 1954, the model series was marketed as Datsun deLuxe. Now Datsun had changed the design. The DB-2 instead now had a subtle bow through the center of the hood and a completely flat front. The grille was now one piece with six thin horizontal bars and reached almost the entire width of the car. In 1950 there was a slight change in the design of the radiator grille, which now divided five horizontal bars instead of six thin horizontal bars. The upper middle and lower bars were much thicker than before. A bracket for the license plate was now attached to the radiator grille. In addition to the two-door sedan, a station wagon version of the DB-2 was also built (Intern DW-2). Like contemporary American so-called woody wagons, it had wooden side panels. In the Nissan group, this was the only "woody" to date.

drive

  • 4-cylinder side valve gasoline engine
  • 722 cm³ displacement
  • Bore & stroke: 55 × 75 mm
  • Power: 15 hp at 3500 rpm
  • Compression: 6.2: 1
  • 3-speed manual transmission

Datsun deLuxe DB-4, DB-5, DB-6 (1951–1954)

Datsun deLuxe DB-4, DB-5, DB-6
Datsun deLuxe DB-4

Datsun deLuxe DB-4
Production period: 1951-1954
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van
Engines:
Otto engines : 0.72–0.86 liters
(11.8–18.4 kW)
Length: 3805 mm
Width: 1480 mm
Height: 1560 mm
Wheelbase : 2150 mm
Empty weight : 890 kg

The Datsun deLuxe DB-4 replaced the predecessor DB-2 in 1951. Now the model was a four-door sedan. The DB-4 series had a slightly longer chassis than the DB-2 in order to have more space for the four-door body . The front remained unchanged except for the radiator grille, but everything was redesigned from the windshield. This was now shaped differently and now had rounded edges. The rear window was relatively narrow, but on the later DB-5 and DB-6 models, it was made wider and extended around the rear pillars. Instead of a set of chromed horizontal bars, the grille consisted of a printed steel grille painted the same color as the body. Above the grille was now a wide chrome and a red lacquered strip, between which the word Datsun was attached. There was a large round D above it. The 722 cm³ side valve engine was also used, now with 16 HP, and a three-speed manual transmission. In addition to the four-door sedan DB-4, there was also a station wagon version with five doors (internal DW-4), as well as a three-door delivery van based on the station wagon as a panel van or with side windows.

drive

  • 4-cylinder side valve gasoline engine
  • 722 cm³ displacement
  • Bore & stroke. 55 × 75 mm
  • Power: 16 hp at 3500 rpm
  • Compression: 6.2: 1
  • 3-speed manual transmission

Datsun deLuxe DB-5 (1953–1954)

In 1953 the DB-5 series replaced the DB-4 models. The body and body styles remained the same. The area above the grille was changed. On the DB-4 there was a plaque with a large round D emblem between the headlights. In the DB-5, this area now consisted of two square air inlets with the D emblem in the middle, crossed by two horizontal chrome strips. The biggest change, however, was the engine. The DB-5 received the first completely redesigned Datsun engine since the war. However, the Datsun D-10 was essentially an enlarged version of the D-7. Also as a side valve engine, it had a displacement of 860 cc and made 25 hp. The top speed increased to 78 km / h. At the end of 1953 the rear window was enlarged enormously and the front side indicators moved from the fenders next to the air flap in front of the windshield to the A-pillars.

Datsun deLuxe DB-6 (1954)

In 1954 the DB-6 series was introduced. Only the four-door sedan version was still available. The only difference to the DB-5 was the power transmission. Instead of a three-speed gearbox, a four-speed manual transmission has now been installed. As early as December 1954, production was discontinued in favor of the Austin engine based.

drive

  • 4-cylinder side valve gasoline engine
  • 860 cm³ displacement
  • Bore & stroke: 60 × 75 mm
  • Power: 25 hp at 3600 rpm
  • Compression: 6.6: 1
  • Carburetor: Hitachi VA26-1
  • 3-speed manual transmission (DB-5)
  • Final drive: 6.5: 1
  • Top speed: 78 km / h
  • 4-speed manual transmission (DB-6)
  • Final drive: 6.43: 1

Web links

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