We’ll admit right here that we didn’t know this existed. Apparently, a Sunny-based Ute (AKA small truck) was once sold in Australia and Japan. Needles to say,we love it!
This particular example has a couple mods we’d reverse, but we like the upgrade engine and dual Mikunis.
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Bellevue, Washington
$2,225 with 28 bids (!) and no reserve
Post by CG’
10/24/2013 update: SOLD for $5,100 with 57 bids! That’s a fair amount of money, but Japanese classics have been climbing and it’s still a lot of cool for 5K.
This little guy has cool lines!
The window mural and fart can exhaust would be first to go if we owned it.
Nice, legible gauges include a tach. Approved!
Tasty carbs…
Ad text:
Rare vehicle, never sold new in United States – a factory 1200 ute. This is a Japan-market Nissan Sunny Truck, one of approximately 15 or so in the USA, and one of the few RHD ones here, and maybe the only longbed (most are short beds). It is a unibody pickup similar to an El Camino, but much smaller. The drivetrain, interior and front sheet metal is the same as the Datsun 1200 sedan & coupe. With such a small size, the 1.4 liter engine really moves it.
It is right-hand drive and has a clear Washington State title. Has a larger 1.4 liter engine instead of the original 1200 engine, and is fitted with dual Mikuni-Solex carburetors and big-tube stainless exhuast. It is a beautiful metallic blue with flared fenders and shaved bed rails for a sleek appearance. Fitted with an FRP lightweight tailgate and period alloy 5-slot wheels. Tires are 55 series but are at the end of their useful life span. The sound it makes is wonderful, as expected with dual sidedrafts it is a snarl/growl. It has a stainless steel cannon muffler at the back with a large turbo muffler under the bed. It has coilover front suspension and lowered rear suspension.
This is a show-winner. Won 2nd Place-Best 1200 at the 2007 Blue Lake, Oregon All Datsun-Nissan show and 2nd Place-Best of Show for 2008. Best Place-Early Model in 2009. Best Place-Early Model at JCCS 2009. Best Of Class at the 2011 Greenwood Car Show (Seattle’s largest car show). Best Datsun 70s-3rd-place at JCCS 2012.
It has been continually registered since I purchased it in 2007. I have driven it several times a year mostly to car shows including many 500 mile trips. Last September I made a 3000 mile trip from Seattle to LA, San Diego as far as the border and back again.
Now for the downsides. It is very small, much smaller than most Datsun trucks, and there isn’t much legroom, though I’m 6-1″ and it suits me fine. There is a small crack in the edge of the hood which has become rusty where it cracked (see photo). Also a quarter-sized paint bubble on the top of fender (not immediately visible, see photo). No rust through anywhere that I know of, also see the under-floor mat photos. There is a half-dollar sized spot on each door where the finish paint came off when the previous owner’s stickers were removed (see photos, left side has a show badge covering it). The black paint inside the cargo bed is partially flaked off exposing the original blue underneath (see photo). The FRP tailgate has a crack along the top edge (see photo). Stainless exhaust header has a crack, making it somewhat loud. Engine has a slight tick/tap when cold. It has a used Datsun B210 A14 engine, which leaks a bit of oil but otherwise runs good. Exhaust system hanger has torn loose resulting in a small exhaust leak. Left rear fender flare/wheel opening has a scrape and is currently covered in black tape (see photo). One seat cover has a very small rip at the seam. All in all, a great runner but could use some detailing to make it show-ready once again.