A year after Datsun’s 1600 began wreaking havoc on Australia’s Medium Car segment, the Small Car market was assailed by another classy newcomer from the same Japanese car maker.
The Datsun 1200 shared the 1600’s boxy shape and general simplicity, endearing it to fans of no-frills, affordable motoring. A basic 1200 sedan sold at launch in June 1970 for $1914, with the better-equipped Deluxe costing $2254.
A coupe and station wagon were also available, with the half-tonne Pickup utility arriving in 1971 and surviving until 1985.
‘Datto’ 1200s provided basic transport but didn’t skimp on features. In addition to a disc brake front-end the pint-sized sedan boasted a collapsible steering column, two-speed wipers, recessed door handles, a heater/demister, and soon-to-be government-mandated three-point seat belts (which became compulsory from January 1, 1972).
Powering the 1200 was Datsun’s longitudinally-mounted inline four-cylinder A12 engine, itself based on an Austin design that had its origins in the 1950s. As fitted to the 1200, the motor had been updated with Nissan’s improvements to the BMC B-Series engine comprising relocating the camshaft from the left side to the right side to allow for eight individual ports instead of the original five, and relocating the oil pump from the rear of the camshaft to the right side of the block.
The engine featured a lightweight cast iron block and aluminium cylinder head, and came equipped with a two-barrel Hitachi carburettor that helped liberate outputs of 52kW/95Nm.
A four-speed manual transmission was standard across the 1200 range, with a three-speed automatic available in the better equipped Coupe and Deluxe variants. A five-speed manual became available during 1972, helping Nissan’s Series Production racing efforts.
The Japanese car maker had already taken honours once in Class A at the annual Bathurst 500 endurance race and it would win again at the 1972 and 1973 events against Mazda’s 1300 sedan.
Datsun 1200 Coupes were the fastest variants, thanks to their superior aerodynamics, with a top speed of around 140km/h and 0-96km/h taking 13.0-seconds.
Perhaps the biggest surprise packet of the 1200 lineup in terms of collectability is the Pickup, both in terms of value growth and survival. With help from a range of after-market parts sources, these tough little Japanese utes can still be found in significant numbers and at prices that occasionally exceed $50,000.
Utes that realise such values will have been modified, often significantly. The most common changes involve mechanical components, including engines being replaced later model Silvia Turbo powerplants. Others stick with normal engine aspiration, accompanied by a five-speed gearbox, all-disc brakes, and some suspension modification.
The most radical upgrades will include structural changes, such as the addition of a separate chassis and ‘tubbing’ of the rear wheel arches to accommodate much larger rims and tyres. Having gone out that far on a financial limb, the owners of highly-modded 1200s might also opt for a custom repaint and leather interior.
Anyone buying a 1200 in today’s market will be in for a different experience than was the case 10 years ago. Even ‘cheap’ sedans and wagons now cost $15,000 with twice that amount feasible for an excellent coupe or restored utility.
The future collectability of the Datsun 1200 looks bright, no matter which variant you might choose. These were well-engineered cars from the start and will remain viable as regular transport for years to come (unless regulations beat us to the punch). There is no shortage yet of mechanical parts and some components are still being remanufactured, all of which makes owning and maintaining a Datsun 1200 a relatively easy and appealing experience.
Things To Watch Out For When Buying A Used Datsun 1200 (1970-85)
- Rust in plenum and windscreen surrounds, sills and floors
- Engines may be of a later type and increased capacity. Some may need engineer certification.
- Noisy valve trains can be due to a worn camshaft or loose timing chain.
- Clutch wear and shudder in manual cars.
- Original brake booster may not be available but later versions can be adapted.
- Flimsy seat frames may have broken. Check that the seat moves easily.
- The dash may be cracked but new covers and complete units are available.
Valuation Timeline: Datsun 1200 (1970-85)
- 1995: $3200
- 2005: $4800
- 2010: $8000
- 2015: $9500
- 2020: $12,000
- 2025: $32,000 (Datsun 1200 Coupe)
Retro Rides’ Investment Rating
- 7/10
