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The Complete Guide to Classic Datsun Cars and Trucks
1959 Nissan Junior B140 Truck
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 The previous model B40 series Nissan Junior was a tough and robust truck, the only thing it needed was a better engine, and that's what it got with the new B140 series Junior. 
 On the outside the B140 is pretty much identical to it's predecessor the B40. The only major difference being the grille. The new grille no longer has the series of 14 short vertical slots in the lower section that the previous model had, instead it now has two long horizontal slots. The top section of the grille now has two rows of horizontal slots instead of the three slots on the past models. 
 The big change with this model is to the engine. The previous models had used the Austin B series engine, which produced 50hp. The B140 featured a new Nissan designed engine G series engine, which was slightly smaller, at 1488cc, but produced much more power with 77hp on tap. This same engine would also be used for the Nissan Cedric 30 sedan and the Datsun Fairlady SP310 sports car. The new engine appeared similar to the old Austin engine, but was a completely new design based on Austin's engine design principals, only improved. The G engine had 7 ports in the head instead of the 5 in the Austin engine, which combined with greatly improved manifolds and a dual throat carburettor, made the Nissan engine flow much better. The Nissan engine overcame the chronic oil leak problems associated with the Austin engine thanks to a complete redesign of the crankshaft and it's seals. 
 The B140 continued in production until January 1962, when it was replaced by the all new Nissan Junior 40 series.
A sales brochure for the Nissan Junior
1959 Nissan Junior B140 Specifications 
Length - 4290mm   
Width - 1675mm   
Height - 1820mm   
Wheelbase - 2500mm   
Weight - 1475kg   
Top speed - 90kph 
Transmission - 4 speed
Column change
Engine Specifications 
OHV 4 Cylinder  
Model - G   
Capacity - 1488cc   
Bore & Stroke - 80x74mm  
Power - 77bhp@5200rpm 

Final Drive - unknown
 
Model Variations
 
Nissan Junior B140 
The truck version was available with either a "styleside" cargo area as pictured here, or with a steel cargo area with fold down sides.
Nissan Junior VB140  
A rather odd delivery van version was also introduced at the same time as the truck. The van shown here is actually a Junior B140 that has been converted into an ambulance. These were fairly common in Japan at the time.
Nissan Junior FRB140  
The B140 could be ordered as an "E Chassis", which gave you only a running chassis with the front section and the windscreen, and nothing else. Another option based on this "E Chassis" was the FRB140, which was a small fire truck version.
Nissan Junior Caball C140  
In addition to the conventional Junior truck there was also a cab-forward version based on the chassis and mechanicals of the B140 called the Junior Caball C140. More information can be found on the C140 page.
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