Sales started in September 1973 as direct replacement to the popular 1200. This model despite the more ornate detailing and slightly over fussy styling was a huge sales success, becoming one of the UK best selling cars in the mid seventies. Using the well proven formula of ease of use, competitive equipment (Radio, heated rear window,cigar lighter etc, when many of these would appear on the options list on a Escort or Allegro), economy and of course reliability often pushing the variety of 2 and 4 door saloons, estate and versatile coupe into the top ten sellers. A commercial van version was also offered for small business.

Datsun 120Y Estate

Datsun 120Y coupé

The Coupe never had pretensions of being anything but fastback 2 door saloon, but the advertising men at Datsun where keen to push a sporting side to Britians most popular Import. The car actually sported a rev counter, no doubt pushed to its limit propelling the 1171cc engine to 90mph. Metallic paint was only available in the higher specification models, such as this coupe, at no extra charge. Note the different grill - the japanese had the knack of adding different grills and light arrangements to its exported cars.

Continuing the huge success of the previous 120Y a re bodied version of the 4 door sunny saloon was introduced 1n 1978. Still using existing mechanicals, but with the option of the larger 1397cc engine from the violet and logically badged as the 140Y. All versions as before where offered, but also including the addition of the Fastback estate which was more up market than the utilitarian estate. Spec included 4 link coil spring suspension at the rear, and the bigger engined versions sported chrome instead of plastic bumpers.

1978 Datsun Sunny B310

1980 B310 Datsun Sunny

This car was marketed in America still as the 210 but was priced at the bottom of the Datsun range below the cherry (N10 model) due to the cherry managing the 1488cc engine. Yet another re body, still rear wheel drive, now also available with 1488cc engines. It was introduced at the end of 1980, still with the Fastback and Estate variations in the range sold well enough up to the introduction of the new front wheel drive sunny in the summer of 1982. The Coupé was also sold with the option of a 5 speed gearbox and the pseudo sporting rev counter.