Ever wondered where the cars we love, like the Nissan Altima, got their start? Well, buckle up, because the journey of Nissan, a global automotive giant, began with a brand you might know as Datsun. This early chapter of Datsun/Nissan history is fascinating, and often overlooked in the West. That's why I was thrilled to get behind the wheel of a vintage 1938 Datsun 17! It's a charming little car, with a certain quirky appeal.
Driving this vintage vehicle is an experience, to say the least. And this is the part most people miss... the pedals aren't arranged in the typical modern layout. Imagine your feet expecting one thing, and getting something completely different! It's an exciting, potentially-lurch-into-a-hydrant kind of excitement.
I must give a shout-out to Gary Duncan, who generously provided access to this gem from his impressive collection of JDM and other unique cars. Thanks, Gary!
I promised to reveal the origins of both the Datsun and Nissan names, and I intend to keep that promise! Let's dive into the history, shall we?
It all began with a company called Kaishinsha Motorcar Works. Founded by Kenjiro Den, Rokuro Aoyama, and Meitaro Takeuchi. The first letters of their last names, when combined, spelled DAT. And so, the first car they built, back in 1914, was called the DAT.
They later developed a smaller, more affordable car. This was in response to a 1930 Japanese law allowing license-free driving for cars with engines under 500cc. This new car was essentially the "son" of the DAT, so they called it Datson.
But here's where it gets controversial... In Japanese, "son" can mean "loss," which isn't ideal for a product. So, they changed "son" to "sun," as in the "Land of the Rising Sun," and the name Datsun was born! And as a bonus, the name DAT is pronounced in Japanese as "datto," which means to dash off like a rabbit. That's why many early Datsuns had a little stylized leaping rabbit hood ornament.
Now, for the "Nissan" part. A holding company was established in 1928 for Datsun, called Nihon Sangyo (Japan Industries). By shortening Nihon Sangyo, you get NiSan, and adding an extra "S" for good measure, you get Nissan. It's a pretty generic name, isn't it? It would be like if Ford was called Amind (from American Industries) or something.
Datsun continually refined its small cars over the years. The initial Datsun from 1931 was known as the Datsun 10. Then came the 11, and in 1933, the 12, which increased the engine size to 733cc. Production was limited early on, as the company didn't have a fully integrated assembly line until 1935.
The evolution from the 10 to the 17 was gradual. Some claim these early Datsuns were copies of the famous Austin 7, but I disagree. Many carmakers, like BMW and indirectly, Jeep, got their start building Austin 7s. However, I think the Datsun was more inspired by the Seven than a direct copy.
Driving the Datsun was an experience. The pedal layout is unusual by modern standards, with the throttle in the middle, flanked by the clutch on the left and the brake on the right.
At first, your muscle memory will betray you. Luckily, the car's power is so modest that you're unlikely to get into serious trouble. The shifter is an absurdly long, spindly metal pole. It's comfortable, and once you get used to it, pretty easy to drive.
This '38 model is one of the last of its kind, as production shifted to wartime truck manufacturing to supply the war with China, which then blurred into WWII.
What I found most fascinating, aside from the cable-operated semaphore turn indicators, is how you can feel the roots of the mighty Japanese car industry here, despite the car's relative simplicity. You can sense the competence and capability, waiting to be unleashed on the world.
What are your thoughts on the evolution of car names? Do you find it as interesting as I do? Share your opinions in the comments!
