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The Complete Guide to Classic Datsun Cars and Trucks
1956 Datsun 123 Truck
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The Datsun 113 was in production from June 1956 through until September 1957. 
 Visually there is little to distinguish the Datsun 123 from the previous 122 model. Externally the only change is to the front indicators. The 122 had tall oval shaped indicators either side of the grille, on the 123 these have been replaced with very small round ones.  
 The only other difference between the 122 and the new 123 is the gearbox, but this represented a major change for the vehicle. 
 The 122 used a 4 speed floor change gearbox that was a copy of the unit used in the Austin A40 Somerset, which Nissan was building under licence at the time. For the 123 Nissan introduced their own gearbox, which was a column change 4 speed gearbox with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th speeds.
The new Nissan designed gearbox was also 10kg lighter than the old Austin box. 
The column shift was seen as a major benefit in the Asian markets, as it would allow for three people to be seated in the front bench seat, but three full-sized European/American bodies would never be able to be comfortably accomodated across a narrow Datsun. 
The dashboard stayed essentially the same as the previous model, with only a slight alteration to accomodate the shaft of the column change that ran parallel to the steering column. The body featured a new floor, with a much lower transmission tunnel. It continued to use the 860cc D-10 side valve engine. All other mechanicals were identical to the previous 122. 
 The grille on the 123 remained the same as the one used on the 122, with 4 wide horizontal bars and a wide chrome vertical bar in the middle. 
A Japanese sales brochure for the Datsun 123.
 
An image from a Japanese language sales brochure for the 123, drawing attention to the new column change gear lever.
1956 Datsun 123     
Specifications      
Length - 3742mm   
Width - 1466mm   
Height - 1612mm   
Wheelbase - 2220mm   
Weight - 830kg   
Top speed - 85kph 

Transmission - Column change 4 speed
Engine Specifications 
OHV 4 Cylinder  
Model - D-10   
Capacity - 860cc   
Bore & Stroke 60x76mm   
Power - 25bhp@4000rpm   
Torque- 37ft/lb@2400rpm   
Compression - 6.3 : 1   
Carburettor - Hitachi Solex VA-26-3 C type 26mm single throat downdraught 

Final drive - 6.43:1
 
Model Variations
 
Datsun AV123 
The AV123 was a delivery van version of the 123 truck. It was fitted with a single front bench seat and no rear seats. A 5 door wagon version of the 113 sedan was also made, which can be found on the Datsun 113 page.
 
Datsun U123 
The U123 was a double cab version of the 122 truck. It had two rows of seating and a significantly smaller cargo area.
Datsun 113 Sedan 
The 123 truck was based on the same chassis and mechanicals as the Datsun 113 series, which included a sedan and a wagon. More information about these vehicles can be found in the Datsun 113 section.
 
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