Rare Rides: A Preserved 1983 Nissan-Datsun 720 King Cab

Recently, Rare Rides honed in on the little Dodge Rampage. A front-drive alternative compact pickup, it was based on the sporty Dodge Charger. Today we have a look at a well-preserved example of what most buyers of compact pickups chose in the early 1980s. It’s a Nissan-Datsun 720 King Cab, from when all Datsuns were Nissans.

Datsun’s truck line started in 1934 with the Type 13, based on the Roadster compact coupe/cabriolet. The second- through fifth-generation (1955-1979) trucks were all based on the Bluebird sedan model in production at the time.

The 720 model debuted in 1980 for the US market. Regular and King Cab versions were offered with short and long beds, and featured two- or four-wheel drive. Initially marketed in the US as a Datsun, the 720 was first imported from the Nissan Shatai factory in Japan. By mid-1983 the truck was being produced domestically at the brand-new Nissan factory in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Production location wasn’t the only change in 1983. Introduction of the Nissan name began at this time. Accompanying the name change was a light visual refresh, including larger cornering lights, and a new bumper and grille. Also in ’83, a revised dash featured round gauges instead of square ones. The naming swap was complete by 1985; Datsun washed away for a new Nissan era. Five years remained for the 720 model, as a new Truck was on the horizon — one you might know as Hardbody.

Our rare-because-it’s-pristine 720 looks to be fairly well-equipped, in King Cab short bed guise. With my trained eye and a reference to the Wikipedia page for the 720, I can deduce this one is a mid-upper level DX trim. The dual-blue 4×4 tape stripe package looks just so right, and those white wheels are choice too.

Wood tone across the dash sets the luxury expectation for any passengers.

And there might be a few passengers, as small rear jump seats look thoroughly comfortable for children aged six and under.

Power goes through the five-speed manual, and is provided by the 2.4-liter inline-four engine. There is also electro-injection, which sounds illegal. The engine aspires to be a Z24 Chevy Cavalier. This lucky Nissan has avoided rust and traveled just over 100,000 miles over the past 35 years, and can be yours for $12,900.

[Images via seller]