by Nissan’s First Steps in the USA: From Datsun to Legendary Models
Although today Nissan is associated with iconic models like the 240Z and 510, its early cars were far from high standards. The first Datsun 1000 to hit the American market looked rather unremarkable and offered meager performance.
The car’s design was tall and narrow, resembling an enlarged version of Japanese kei cars. The engine, based on the British BMC design, could not boast power, and Road & Track magazine left an unflattering review of it in 1958:
“Any car, to be successful, must have either better performance, or better economy than its competitors, or some special feature. The Datsun 1000 lacks all of this.”
However, just a decade later, the situation changed. The 510 model became popular among car enthusiasts as an affordable alternative to BMW, laying the foundation for the brand’s future success.
Interestingly, early Nissan models, despite their shortcomings, became an important part of the brand’s history. They showed how the company was able to transform from producing simple economy cars to creating true automotive legends. Today, these early Datsuns are considered collectible rarities, and their history reminds us of the humble but important beginnings.
