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The Complete Guide to Classic Datsun Cars and Trucks
1959 Datsun 125 Truck
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 Starting in 1958 Nissan began a rather strange policy of introducing a 'bottom of the range' model truck to slot into the range below the regular small truck from that year, this policy continued through into 1959 with the introduction of the Datsun 125 truck. In 1959 Nissan introduced the new Datsun 221 truck as their regular small truck model. Like the previous Datsun 220 model the 221 was offered with the 37hp 988cc over head valve C series engine, and was also available with the new enlarged 48hp 1189cc over head valve E series engine. The Datsun 125 slotted into the model range under the 221.
 Just like the previous Datsun 124 truck the new Datsun 125 was essentially the same as the Datsun 221 except for it's engine and grille. The 125 was fitted with a rather old-fashioned side valve engine, which was the 860cc B-1 series engine. The previous 124 truck was fitted with the D-10 engine. The D-10 and the B-1 were essentially the same engine, they were both the same size at 860cc, the only difference being that the new B-1 had a compression ratio of 6.7:1 while the D-10 was 6.5:1. The B-1 produced 27hp while the D-10 produced 25hp.
 The body of the Datsun 125 is pretty much the same as the 1958 Datsun 124. It uses the same grille and front panel as the 124, which was a pressed steel grille with six slots that sat inside the grille opening with about an inch of clearance between the grille and the opening. The badges are all the same as the 124, with a Datsun badge just above the grille, and a Datsun badge on the side of the vehicle. The only significant difference between the 124 and the 125 is that the 124 had small front indicators either side of the grille and also had the bullet shaped indicators mounted to the top of the front guards, the 125 instead had no bullet indicators but instead had larger front indicators.
 The Datsun 125 was replaced in 1960 by the Datsun 126, which would be the last vehicle in this line to use a side valve engine, although the Datsun Cablight truck range continued to use side valve engine for several more years.
A Japanese sales brochure for the Datsun 125.
 
1959 Datsun 125     
Specifications      
Length - 3742mm   
Width - 1466mm   
Height - 1620mm   
Wheelbase - 2220mm   
Weight - 870kg   
Top speed - 77kph 

Transmission - Column change 4 speed
Engine Specifications 
OHV 4 Cylinder  
Model - B-1   
Capacity - 860cc   
Bore & Stroke 60x76mm   
Power - 27hp@4000rpm   
Torque- 5.5kg/m@2400rpm   
Compression - 6.7 : 1   
Carburettor - unknown type single throat downdraught 

Final drive - 6.43:1
 
Model Variations
1960 Datsun 126 
The next, and last vehicle in this line was the Datsun 126. Sadly the 126 is the only classic era Datsun we have not been able to locate any information or photos of.
All we know is that it was released in 1960. Given that the 124 was a side valve version of the 220, and that the 125 was a side valve version of the 221, it is more than likely that the 126 is a side valve version of the 1960 Datsun 222 truck.
The 222 was the same as the previous 221, except that it had a different cargo area design. It is likely that the 126 was the same as the 125, but that it also had this new design cargo area.
The Datsun Cablight A20 and A120 shared the B-1 engine with the 125, and these vehicles used this engine through until 1963, so it is therefore likely that the 126 continued to use the B-1 engine as well.
If you can help with any information or photos of the Datsun 126 please contact us at alan@earlydatsun.com .
 We do not have a photo of the Datsun 126 truck.
If you can help with a photo please contact us at
alan@earlydatsun.com
Datsun 221 
The 221 was essentially the same vehicle as the 125, except it had a different grille and also the larger and more powerful 988cc C series OHV engine or 1189cc E series OHV engine. More information about this vehicle can be found on the 220 page.
Datsun 115 Sedan 
The 125 truck was based on the same chassis and mechanicals as the Datsun 115 series. More information about these vehicles can be found in the Datsun 115 page.
 
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