The Datsun 12 was an evolution of the 1932 Datsun 11. Much
of the body remained the same, but the must significant changes were to
the mechanicals.
The previous Datsun 11 had continued to use the old 495cc
10hp side valve engine, which dated back to the days when the company was
called DAT. For 1933 the regulations regarding maximum engine size for
small cars was changed in Japan. Datsun had successfully petitioned the
government asking that the capacity be increased, as they felt that the
existing 500cc class was too restrictive. It probably didn't hurt that
Takeuchi, one of the major investors in Datsun, was
the cousin of the ex-Prime Minister of Japan, and he likely still had connections.
The new regulations now stated that
small cars must be under 750cc, and Datsun's response to the changes was
the introduction of the new bored and stroked version of the DAT engine,
which now grew to 748cc and produced 12hp. A 2hp increase may now sound
like much, but it was a 20% jump in performance.
The changes
to the body were minimal. The bodywork at the top of the doors was altered,
and now has a more rounded shape. Many cars left the factory with the top
of the doors painted a darker colour. This line of different colour continued
to the back of the car on most models, and towards the front on others.
The bodies of the Datsun 12s were built
by Yanase Motor and the Nihon Jidosha Corporation.The chassis were built
at the Osaka Plant of the Automotive Division of Tobata Casting, which
was soon to change it's name to Nissan. 150 Datsun 12s were built, the
12 was replaced in 1934 by the Datsun 13. |
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1933
Datsun 12
Specifications
Length - 2710mm
Width - 1175mm
Height - unknown
Wheelbase - 1880mm
Weight - 400kg
Top speed - 73kph
Transmission - Floor
change 3 speed |
Engine
Specifications
Model - DAT
Side Valve 4 Cylinder
Capacity - 747cc
Bore & Stroke 56x76mm
Power - 12hp@3000rpm
Torque- unknown
Compression - unknown
Carburettor - unknown
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Final drive - unknown |
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