There are some vehicles you can just tell have lived a charmed life. From the condition to the options, the photos simply tell you that it’s been loved since Day 1. In the case of this 1971 Datsun pickup, it’s even better than most of the vehicles we see in this category as it not only has some very cool period options, but it’s also in spectacular, unrestored condition. The asking price is on the high side for one of these, but it’s likely as good as it gets. Find this Datsun here on craigslist for $15,000 and thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J for the find.
These early Datsun and Toyota pickups have been appreciated by Japanese truck enthusiasts for years but they exist outside of a realm that doesn’t get the same amount of love as a four-wheel drive variant. The two-wheel drive trucks have less mobility off road and in general are more fragile from an overlanding ability; however, like any Japanese truck, reliability from a purely mechanical standpoint is still pretty great. The Datsuns are not as appreciated as the older Toyotas, so you can buy one of the best for reasonable money. This one has the added benefit of a period camper shell that seemingly fits the bed perfectly; even better, the shot of the bed shows the original, patina’d tailgate still resting inside.
Seeing the tailgate clearly in preserved conditions tells me everything I need to know about the previous owner. If you walked into their garage, I’ll bet everything was in its place, with a blanket draped carefully over the tailgate to preserve it while not in use. Then you see the interior and it’s absolutely spectacular, with a near-perfect bench seat (it has been re-done in the correct material), vinyl floor covering, and door panels (these are also new). Sure, the dash is cracked, but that’s just more evidence that this is a mostly unrestored truck that has been looked after for years. The seller reports that the steering is tight and that it has a wood shift knob from a 240Z, a cool OEM+ touch.
With only two owner since new, this Datsun has hardly ever come up for sale. I’m guessing owner number 2 saw how spectacular it was and either quickly flipped it here or held onto it for decades knowing how special it was. I believe this was a 521 series pickup, which would have been equipped with the 1.6L L16 engine (it may have also had the 1.5LJ15, as I’m not sure when it crossed over.) Regardless, power would have been humble to say the least, clocking in at between 77 and 94 horsepower depending on engine configuration. While $15K is a lot for one of these, this does seem like it may be one of the best ones left.
I really like these,but are a little short on leg room.
My brother had one that was bought from the original
owner,so I borrowed it when I went to get the remaining
parts to the S1-1/2 Elan that I bought.I thought it would be
really nice to drive,but was disapointed on how little leg room
there was,so I was happy to return it to him.
Our ’83 Mazda shop truck was also built for short people so at 5 ft 6 in tall it fit Nice condition on this one.
I had a 79 Datsun King Cab… worked for me at 6-1″ Loved that truck, but rust loved it more than I did apparently.
As soon as I saw the photo, I knew this truck was from Oregon or Washington state . these import trucks didnt make it to ten years old on the East Coast , they dissolved away like an Alka Seltzer
The J engine changeover would have been about 67-68, as once the 510 rolled out all were L-series.
Great little trucks, but yes, you had to have a physique with “hinges” at the right locations.
My uncle had one, 6’3″ with ~38 inch inseam, and added 2″ of cushion to the seat when it shredded.
I am 6’3″ with 32 inch inseam (long back) so proceeded to put numerous dents in the roof when going over railroad tracks.
Could be started with a screwdriver or butter knife, both of which were under the floor mat.
Can’t kill these as long as regular maintenance is kept up. Lovely example, aggressive pricing for sure.
These trucks are more important than the writer apparently realizes – Datsun practically invented the small truck market – in the ’60s and early ’70s we just said “Datsun truck” for any small truck – because at least 90% of them were Datsuns. Yes, there were the odd Toyota Hilux but they were ugly, and some Morris Minor Pickups but they weren’t serious vehicles as they always broke down, leaked oil, overheated, burn-out electrical components, sometimes all at once but the Datsun was rugged, looked good and was reliable. As a teenager I had a couple with the smaller pushrod 1300 engines that appeared to have been directly copied from an MGA but without all the problems of the MG!
The most common 521 upgrade was to swap to the L20. Even better with a 5 speed to go along.
fog
I did that very swap on a buddies 72 521. I did an L18 swap with a 200 SX 5 speed in mine. It’s amazing how much ink this truck is getting. I think mine cost $2,100 out the door with an AM radio and tonneau cover from the dealer. Added the Shelby cobra 14” wheels 2 years later. Learned how to work on cars from this truck as by the time it had 70,000 miles, did a valve job, added headers, replaced a clutch using the 2000 roadster pressure plate, did a full brake job and replaced the synchros and a broken bearing holder in the tranny, all by the time I was 18.
Brakes were pathetic, never knew what ditch it was going for when I had to. Use them hard. Should have grafted discs from a late 620 truck and added A/C. Wish I had it today. Can’t afford this one although it’s really nice.
This would make a fine vehicle for Santa!
Lovely little camper but that sticker on the rear window has to go.
I am having the same problem with that button. What the hell is going on I wonder.
I had a 72 that is basically identical to this one. It was a great little truck that had over 200,000 miles on it when I sold it. They are very rough riding though.
It’s a good thing I had it when I was young. The ride would just about kill me now.
think a Scamp (13/16 ft) or Igloo tow-B-hind are small (living space)? Lookid this !
No, not for me, unless… a toper leveled off at the cab roof line, a fold out cot, port-a-john, a 5gal solar shower, coleman stove that could all be loaded when needed (much less than the area’s need for/when hauling). Love these single walled beds (70s).
The toper’s needed when bed not is use just cuza da locale (tree leaves, sap slurps, rain, sno) New England & the NE. Great fora daily @ this as to its durability, simple maintenance, utility, and MPGs. Good Listing (cept for price). I’ve been periodically seein the Toy match (10 yrs newer, upscale as its a SunRader) in the garage for 15 yrs. It’s in such good shape AND they want to sell it. I’d say it’s in the high $20s, but if priced like this – 50K$. aahahahaa
Back in the 70’s, when I gave my grandfather a ride in my new, 71 Datsun pickup, that I was very proud of, he said, “Wow, you didn’t tell me I had to put my spurs on to ride in it.” (I laughed over that.)
My first vehicle was a blue 1971 PL521 just like this. Drove it home from the dealer with a permit license at 15. Took my drivers test in it. Drove it 22 years and hauled who knows how many Yamaha motocross bikes, moved numerous university of Florida college girls, had a camper like this one, trips from Florida to New Jersey, Wisconsin and drove it from California to Florida when I transferred back. Put 280,000 miles on it. The original 96hp L16 with a dual point distributor was replaced with an L18 crate engine with headers, a Weber carb, electronic ignition and 200SX 5 speed. The bench seat springs wore out so I installed bucket seats from a Datsun 510 sedan. Sporting 14” Shelby aluminum wheels and 60 series tires, it was like a go cart. Fun truck. Easy to work on, cheap to operate, fast and fun to drive. Only bad issue were the non self adjusting manual drum brakes that required jacking it up monthly to adjust the brakes to keep it from darting off in random directions when you had to stop. Was great for learning how to drift around corners due to no weight on the rear axle and 4:11 gearing. Was the perfect ride for a teenager during the 1973 energy crisis.
Wish I could justify buying this one.
I love the sticker on the rear camper window.
I played in a band through high school. We were hired for a gig (during the Christmas holidays) about three hours from where we lived. We set out in two vehicles, one of which broke down about an hour from the gig. The other vehicle was one of these pickups. With no time for a replacement vehicle to arrive, we stacked amps, drums, PA equipment, etc. into the bed (about four feet above the cab), found some rope behind the seat to tie it down and headed out. There were five of us, so three in the cab and two squished in by the tailgate, hunkered down behind the stack of equipment (we switched off several times as it was cold). A good friend showed up during the gig with his van to rescue us. Teenage crisis management at its finest (one of several unanticipated problems through the years of being in a band that needed to be resolved quickly, on the fly).
This is a 521 and it only came with the 1600 as well as 72 and 73. 1970 was a 520 and it came with a 1300. None of these came with a 1500. 74 was a 620 and it had an 1800. 75 on 620s had 2000. L13, L16, L18 and L20.
I bought a new 74 and put a Six Pack Camper on it. The wind controlled my speed and fuel mileage.
Actually, some early 521s came with the L13. Which was a copy of an MGB motor.
Thanks for the clarification, Ron! 🙂
Still have two of these 521’s. Great dependable drivetrains and easy to work on. Get a lot of nostalgic stories from others while doing errands in town.
fog
I did that very swap on a buddies 72 521. I did an L18 swap with a 200 SX 5 speed in mine. It’s amazing how much ink this truck is getting. I think mine cost $2,100 out the door with an AM radio and tonneau cover from the dealer. Added the Shelby cobra 14” wheels 2 years later. Learned how to work on cars from this truck as by the time it had 70,000 miles, did a valve job, added headers, replaced a clutch using the 2000 roadster pressure plate, did a full brake job and replaced the synchros and a broken bearing holder in the tranny, all by the time I was 18.
Brakes were pathetic, never knew what ditch it was going for when I had to. Use them hard. Should have grafted discs from a late 620 truck and added A/C. Wish I had it today. Can’t afford this one although it’s really nice.
Import trucks of this era are best suited to smaller owners, I’m 5’6″ and had no problems but a customer 6’6″ and 400 pounds needed a ride home at the end of the day after dropping off his truck and it was on my way. He literally filled half the cab stick to door, floor to roof, dash to rear window of my 84 Mazda. I had seat as far back as it would go and he had to struggle to close the door and could not sit up straight, it was hilarious . Our lunch kits had sit in the box and there was some very strong language about import trucks during the trip.
Interesting that the Datsun 520/521’s had full boxed frames. Can’t remember who offered off road conversions back then?
Had one of these that I put tall tires on the back so it would do 65 mph for an extended time without grenading the engine.
Discussions of the meager power need to put the figures in perspective. The L16 engine for 71 delivered 96hp using 97.8 cubic inches or almost 1 hp per cubic inch. Few American cars had that specific power output and it did it using regular fuel. Minor modifications like drilling out the main jet to the next size, cutting off a coil on the secondary spring for the carb, using just the main points and not the 10 degree retarded for 3rd gear box reductions, a header, good free flowing exhaust really woke them up. And as FOG mentioned, the awesome L20B fit right in for even more fun. One of the most prolific vehicles I ever owned.
My 72 1600 had dual points. I ended up eliminating the second set of points and using a GM condenser. It made the points last a lot longer and the truck ran great with that set up. One of my mechanic customers recommended it to me after I got left on the side of the road because of points failure.