Americans already knew Datsuns by late 1973 - the 240Z had blown away competitors like the MGC, and the 510 could hold its own with the BMW 2002 while costing less. But even into the early 1980s, Japanese cars were perceived as being economy cars - cheap and (maybe) cheerful. The B210 (called the 120Y in Europe), which arrived in the late fall of 1973, was also hugely successful - but it was a car of very different character than the 240Z or 510 and the reason for the B210’s success was simple - economy. Datsun’s 1974 model year began on Nov. 1, 1973, Just two weeks after the OPEC oil embargo began and only 11 days after President Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre.” Although the U.S. imported less than 40% of it’s oil at the time (Japan imported almost 90%), the global price of oil rose from $3 a barrel to $12 in three months. The embargo would last until March 18, 1974, and in that time it was common for long lines of land yachts to form at gas stations. AAA estimated that at the end of February, 1 in 5 U.S. gas stations had no fuel to sell. What had been a steady increase in sales of small cars suddenly became a giant torrent - with the Fiat 128, Datsun B210, Toyota Corolla, Renault R12, and Honda Civic duking it out to be the mileage king. The newest was the Datsun, and it sold as fast as they could be driven off the boat. The #B210 was mileage maker - at first offered with the 1288-cc A13 and, from 1975, the 1397-cc A14, typically mated to a four-speed (hatchback eventually got a five-speeder) in a 2,000-lb rear-drive package. A 3-speed auto was available, but the resulting car was verrrry slow. B210s were basic inside - vinyl and few options. But they were reliable and good to drive, if rust prone. They were agile even if they seemed tippy-tall, and though hardly fast by modern standards a B210 could keep up with or embarrass a Triumph Spitfire 1500. Ads for the very basic “Honey Bee” B210 introduced in 1975 touted 41mpg, but realistically 33-36 was more likely. Rust, basic equipment levels, and their very 70s styling, made them bottom-feeder cars by the late 80s. Hardly anyone saves economy cars, so you rarely see them anymore. #DatsunB210 #DatsunSunny
