Former vice president Thomas R. Marshall (1913-1921) was once quoted as saying, “What this country needs is a really good five-cent cigar.” Well, I’d further that thought with an automotive twist stating, “What this country really needs is a true compact pickup truck like this 1978 Datsun 620.” I suppose Ford’s current Maverick could sorta qualify but today’s “mid-size” trucks are stretched out where full-size ones were not so many years ago, and the full-sizers? They’ve reached Brobdingnagian proportions – they’ve gone beyond the ability to fit into a standard parking lot space and I can’t imagine trying to dock one in a typical suburban garage. Anyway, today’s subject is a 1978 Datsun 620 King Cab, which by today’s standards is more like a pawn cab. It’s located in Clermont, Florida, and is in fabulous condition. Interested bidders will find it here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $8,100 with twenty-eight bids tendered so far.
Launched in ’72 as a 1973 model, the 620 continued through 1979. Body styles included a standard cab with two different cargo bed lengths, a King Cab, and a four-door utility version. Japanese models also included a delivery van. Two different wheelbases were employed: a 100 incher on the standard and King Cab versions and a 109″ extended variety used on long-bed equipped trucks. Instead of paraphrasing the seller, I’ll share his words regarding this Datsun’s exterior, “The body is in excellent condition, & still has all of its original body panels & floors. There is no rust anywhere on this little truck being barn-kept & out of the weather. The 620 has its original paint. The door jambs look very nice and clean. The paint shines well and looks great.” Yup, I’d agree, nothing seems out of place. Even the cargo box, other than some surface rust from scrapes, shows well.
Haulin’ power is derived from a 110 net HP, two-liter, inline four-cylinder engine, driving the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The seller advises, “The motor fires right up with no hesitation still having a lot of life left in it after all these years. The manual transmission shifts through all gears just like it should.” The mileage statement is confusing as the listing claims 39K original miles yet the five-digit odometer reveals 3,900 miles so something is not aligning. Whatever the case, this 620 shows as being lightly used, well-maintained, and properly stored.
The interior is just perfect – unusual for a truck that is 47 years old unless the mileage really is minimal. The seller denotes a small dash pad crack but the rest of the blue vinyl upholstered environment is stunningly clean and in need of nothing. We’re told all of the gauges and lights work as planned.
So, right-sized? I’d say so, a truck of this proportion, priced reasonably, would likely be a sales hit today. What’s old can be new again, right?
What a clean ,original truck. You hardly ever find them like this anymore. I’ve owned 3 of these back many years ago,so I can honestly say. These are great little trucks. This should sell for good money. Wish I had the space to park it at my house.
awesome lil truck !
extra cab !?!
Nice find BarnFinds !
This will be interesting to watch. It looks well cared for and in great condition. With the increasing popularity of Japanese vehicles of that era, the bidding likely has a ways to go.
Steve R
Sold on 3/02/2025 for a high bid of $10,250.
Steve R
1978 – first year the 620 had front disc brakes.
My friend Dave loaned me his King Cab that he
inherited from his Dad.It was White,& in really nice
shape.I waxed it before I returned it to him,& begged
him to let me buy it from him.He turned me down.
He “let it go”,& it ended up going to the wrecking
yard.Sad.
Are there back seats 💺 in the king 👑 cab ?
I had a 79 King Cab in the silver/blue, same drivetrain with a plaid fabric interior that held up well. That truck poor truck was frequently overloaded, towed much more than it ever should have and it never complained or broke. Replaced the factory carb with a Weber, like this one. Previous owner added AC with the big under dash box on the passenger side, it was so cold you could use it as a meat locker. Being 6’1, the extra interior space made all the difference. Ultimately it rusted to pieces, and when the floors and seat mounts started to go it was time to move on. If this was a 79 and in the same silver/blue, I’d probably be bidding on nostalgia alone. I still miss that truck!
No rear seat, but the additional legroom was a huge bonus.
Side-facing jump seats came in for the 1980 model year, 720 series. The original King Cab was all about additional stretch-out space for driver and one passenger. The standard cab was very cramped by American standards despite having been expanded at every full redesign since Datsun started selling pickups here in 1958.
Nice write up Jim, but i think you should mention “No Reserve”
I’d guess it’s more like 103.9k on the odometer. And there’s the dreaded dash cover. Also, in the head on shot, something with the grille and bumper don’t line up. I’m guessing this little truck has had a harder life than suggested. In spite of that, I’d still take it over one of the ridiculous monstrosities they’re selling as pickup trucks nowadays.
Brobdignagian? Dang, Jim! Excellent write up of what I consider the perfect truck. Please, please, please let’s make a small truck again.
Awesome looking Datto truck! I haven’t seen trucks like this since I was a boy! The more I see new cars and trucks being offered, the more I long for cars and trucks of 40 yrs. ago.
As a wise man once said to me, You can’t go back home again. Although I accept that today it’s difficult to not pine for the way things once were. Here’s a great example of that. Nice small truck for doing small truck stuff and daily commuting. The King Cab allows added seat travel and a place for some tools, coat and a few groceries. Another vehicle we’ll never see again. Buy this one and enjoy the way things were.
I drive a similar size Chevy Luv diesel daily, it’s the most handiest vehicle ever. After driving it for 3 months, I thought the fuel gauge not working, so I filled it, took 2 1/2 gallons of diesel. I admit, only city driving, no long trips. Parked at Tractor Supply yesterday, next to one of todays typical gigantic monster truck 4 doors, big, but only a 1/2 TON, I noticed the bed on the monster truck was only 1/2 the size of my Chevy Luv bed. So they make them giant gas hogs with 1/2 the carrying capacity.
Even if your LUV has a 7′ box most of the trucks you speak of have at least a 5’7″ box, some 6’4″ or 6″. With electronic engine management and 8 and 10-speed transmissions the new truck easily achieves 20 mpg or better. Your truck probably gets 40 mpg, maybe more. It’s no way as clean at the tail end and probably miserable to drive in traffic. I as much as anyone would want to have vehicles more like the old days but we sometimes have to weigh the advantages of each.
My truck has the 8′ box, an option. So I get double the fuel economy of the new trucks, and it’s a joy to drive in traffic, power steering can steer with 2 fingers, handling fantastic, can whip into parking spots with ease, it’s like effortless to drive. Also easy to get in and out of, don’t need a ladder to climb up into the cab. Simple to work on, no computer, no electronics, dependable, with 150,000 now I can see 450,000 before engine needs overhaul. Also no payments, paid for years ago. Frankly, I see very little advantages to the new trucks.
Like lots of other people have said here in BF; I sure wish they still made trucks like this. The Ford Maverick could be the ticket if Ford offered them in a similar cab configuration and with a comparable size bed like this one. Vehicle manufacturers today do extensive market research. Four door pickup trucks with comparatively small beds are what most people want today. GLWTS.
I own a 1995 Toyota T-100, single cab, long bed, 4 cylinder, automatic, A/C, pickup. 210000 miles and everything works. Seat and dash still in perfect condition. My neighbor purchased it new and I bought it from him a few years ago. Neither of us have ever done anything to it other than tires and batteries. The only thing wrong with it is the clearcoat has started to come off. Good MPG but kinda slow. This country needs a new selection of pickups that are similar to this and the above Datsun. This country needs a lot of things but don’t get me started!
Brakes ?
You’ll be hard pressed to find another 620 78 Datsun truck in this condition again. Or anything close in Toyotas and Chevy Luvs as well. Amazing. Probably, 139k miles but still a baby.
Nice to see small trucks still surviving. A truck that size would not have a rear seat but a side facing jump seat. Nice truck the way it is. Only thing is I do not like blue, but that is only my personal choice.
I had a std. cab short bed with automatic. Of the 120 or so vehicles i have owned, it was THE slowest turtle of any of them….by a wide margin. In great condition otherwise. I was involved in a green traffic light Start –Stop where I tailended another car. Bashed the frontend and radiator. That was a welcome reason to send it to it’s final resting place.
Had that body style with the white spoke wheels back around 1986 or so, Everybody liked it even back then….
Have a set of those white spoke 6 lug “Wagees”. Guess I’d better sell them?
Breaks my heart I can’t bid on it . . .
I live here in Louisville, so I understand about the road salt here! I just washed some off my vehicle yesterday!