Curbside Classics: The First Mini-Pickups: Datsun's 1964 320 1200; 1967 520 1300; 1969 521 1600

The Toyota pickup has become such a dominant vehicle in its class worldwide, its easy to assume that it was always that way. Not so. It was Nissan’s little Datsun trucks that essentially invented the modern mini-pickup genre, and was top puppy in the US for well over a decade before handing over the throne. In fact, trucks were the only vehicle that Datsun imported for quite a few years, and made its reputation with them. They’re a significant piece of automotive history, and many are still hard at work, at least hereabouts.

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  • Mike Beranek A driver's seat that delivers a 10,000 volt shock whenever the driver makes a turn or changes lanes without signalling.
  • Wolfwagen How about some standardization of wiper controls? I have 5 different cars in my family's fleet and have driven a ton of rentals for work. Holy F*cking Sh*t Balls! Left side, right side, push the lever up to turn on, push the lever down to turn on, push the lever forward to turn on, pull the lever back to turn, slide indicator to the left to decrease intermittent wipe time, slide indicator to the right to decrease intermittent wiper time.
  • Redapple2 Someone else said it. Looks like a 4/5 size ford edge (front and back)
  • Rochester Tim, where was your head at in 1984 when it became a law to wear your seatbelt? Personally I thought it was none of the Gubmint's bizniss to force me to belt up. Today, I feel exposed and unsafe without it. My point is, give it time, both the tech and your values will evolve.
  • Theflyersfan After looking it over, Honda, I want royalties for this one: The Honda Yawn.