Small but legendary Nissan Datsun (or just Dize, as it is called in Japan) is an iconic compact car that has become a symbol of the post-war economic miracle of the Land of the Rising Sun. From 1957 to 1973, several generations of this model were produced, each of which had unique design features and technical features. Today original copies Datsun 1000/1200 (known abroad as Nissan Sunny B10/B110) are valued by collectors, and their photographs fly across the Internet like hot cakes.

In this article we have collected exclusive photos Nissan Datsun all modifications - from restored rarities to abandoned "barn finds". You'll learn where to find high-quality photographs for the catalog, how to distinguish an original from a replica in a photograph, and why certain camera angles can hide body defects. And also - Let's look at rare factory photo shoots from the 1960s that were never published in European booklets.

Official photos Nissan Datsun from the manufacturer: where to look for archives

If you need original photos from factory catalogs, you should start your search with official sources. Company Nissan stores part of the archives in digital form, but access to them is limited. Here are proven ways to get legal photos:

  • 📂 Official archive of the Nissan Heritage Collection (Japan) - scans of booklets, technical drawings and advertising photos are stored here. Access is available upon request via the form on the website nissan-global.com.
  • 📖 Books and almanacs: publications like “Datsun: The Authorized History of Nissan’s Classic Compact Car"(ISBN 978-4876873456) contain rare photographs from factory testing grounds.
  • 🎞️ Japanese auctions: on Yahoo! Japan Auctions or Mercari often sell original slides and negatives from the 1960s and 1970s. Prices start at 5,000 yen per lot.

Please note: many "official" photos on the Internet are actually retouched or collaged. For example, a popular image Datsun Bluebird 310 with a mountain background - this is a montage for the European market. To check authenticity, check with VIN code on the body (if visible in the photo) or look for watermarks Nissan Motor Co., Ltd..

⚠️ Attention: On sites like Pinterest or DeviantArt They often post photos with distorted colors. Original Datsun 1200 1970 had the shade "Grand Prix Red"(code #9E1B32), and not bright red, as in many retouched pictures.

Rare modifications Datsun: photos that are hard to find

Most of the photos on the net are dedicated to the basic versions Datsun 1000 or 1200, but there were also unique modifications that few people know about. Here are the top 5 rarities, pictures of which are worth their weight in gold:

Modification Features Where to look for photos
Datsun 1000 Deluxe (1960) Chrome moldings, two-tone paint, radio Nissan Radio Model 5 Japanese forums Oldtimer-Garage.jp, magazine archives Motor Fan
Datsun 1200 SS (1968) Sports version with engine A12 (68 hp), disc brakes Catalogs Nissan Competition Department, auction Bring a Trailer
Datsun 320 Pickup (1961) Truck at base Datsun 320, exported to Australia Australian Archive National Motor Museum, group Datsun 320 Owners Club on Facebook
Datsun 1000 Van (1962) High roof van used by the Japanese Postal Service Japanese Museum Mega Web, collection Postal History Foundation

Photos are especially appreciated prototypes and concept cars. For example, Datsun 1200 Coupe 1967 with a body from Karman Ghia was created in a single copy for the Tokyo Motor Show. His photographs can only be found in the archive Nissan Design Center (access on request).

📊 Which Datsun modification do you like best?
  • 1000 Deluxe (1960)
  • 1200 SS (1968)
  • 320 Pickup (1961)
  • 1000 Van (1962)
  • Other

How to take photos Nissan Datsun for sale: advice from professionals

If you are planning to sell or restore Datsun, high-quality photographs can increase its value by 15–20%. Professional autophotographers recommend:

  • 📸 Use natural light: Shooting in cloudy weather or in the shade (but not in direct sun!) will highlight the original body color. For Datsun with matte paint (for example, Silver Metallic) “golden time” is ideal - an hour before sunset.
  • 🔍 Take close-up details: be sure to take a photo VIN plates (on the driver's door pillar), engine license plate (engine bay tag) and original stickers (for example, Datsun Competition on the hood).
  • 🚗 Show "weak points": Even if the car has been restored, honest photos of rust under the seals or weld marks on the side members will increase buyer confidence.

The mistake most sellers make is shooting from only one angle. For example, Datsun 1200 often photographed from the front but never shown at the rear where there may be corrosion on the arches. Use this angle scheme:

Front at an angle of 45° (bumper and headlight visible)

Rear with emphasis on rear axle and exhaust

Interior: dashboard and seats (with door open)

Engine (remove air filter cover)

Lower body (to check for rust) -->

To process photos use Lightroom with preset "Vintage Car"(lower the saturation by 10-15%, add a light vignette). But don't get carried away with retouching - at auctions like Bonhams photos with retouched rust may be a reason for refusal to sell.

Where to download HD photo Nissan Datsun for restoration or 3D modeling

If you need high-quality images for 3D modeling (for example, for printing parts on a 3D printer) or to restore the original appearance of a car, ordinary photos from Google will not work. Here are verified sources:

  • 🖼️ Flickr (groups Datsun Owners And Japanese Classic Cars): here they post pictures with resolutions up to 5000×3000 px. Use the filter "Creative Commons» for legal download.
  • 📐 GrabCAD And Thingiverse: these platforms have 3D scans of parts Datsun (for example, the front bumper or radiator grille), which are accompanied by photographs from different angles.
  • 🎥 YouTube (channels Japanese Classic Car Channel And Datsun Restoration): Restoration videos often show disassembled parts - this is invaluable material for identifying spare parts.

Photos taken using the method are best suited for 3D modeling photogrammetry. You will need:

  1. Take photographs of the car from all sides in 10–15° increments (use a tripod).
  2. Upload pictures to the program Meshroom or RealityCapture.
  3. Export 3D model to format .obj for further processing.
⚠️ Attention: When downloading a photo from Japanese auction sites (For example, Goo-net) check the license. Some pictures are protected by copyright Nissan and may be removed upon request of the company.
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To search for rare parts using photos, use the service Google Lens or Yandex.Images. Upload a photo of, for example, a door handle Datsun 1000, and the system will find similar images at auctions or in spare parts catalogs.

Photo Nissan Datsun in cinema and pop culture: where to see the legend

Nissan Datsun More than once he became the hero of films, TV series and even music videos. If you are looking atmospheric pictures involving this machine, please pay attention to the following works:

  • 🎬 "Bullitt" (1968): in the iconic chase through San Francisco for Ford Mustang chasing black Datsun 1600. Stills from this film are often used for collages.
  • 🎸 Clip The Beatles «You Can’t Do That» (1964): In one scene, white is visible in the background Datsun Bluebird 310 - a rare shot for collectors.
  • 📺 TV series “Special Forces of the City of Angels” (1970s): A policeman appears in several episodes Datsun 510 in LAPD livery.

Interesting fact: in the Japanese film "Tora-san"(1970) the main character drives a Datsun 1000 yellow - this copy was later sold at auction for $45,000 precisely because of its “cinematic” story.

To find a still from a movie with Datsun, use the base IMCDb.org (Internet Movie Cars Database). Enter in search Datsun and sort by year - this way you will even find occasional appearances of the car.

Where else can you look for photos of Datsun in pop culture?

In Japanese mangas of the 1970s (for example, "Circuit no Ōkami") were often drawn Datsun 510 in racing.

In advertising posters Nissan for the Southeast Asian market (where the car was called Datsun 120Y).

In the archives of the magazine "Hot Rod"(USA), where they tested tuned versions with engines from Nissan Skyline.

How to distinguish an original photo Datsun from a fake: 5 signs

The Internet is full fake or heavily edited photos Nissan Datsun. Here's how to spot a scam:

  1. Wrong proportions: in the original photographs the distance between the wheels and the roof is Datsun 1000 must be strict 1.4:1. If the car looks "squat" or "taller" than usual, this is a sign of image stretching.
  2. Anachronisms: Check license plates, clothing styles of people in the background and other details. For example, an “old” photo should not contain modern LED headlights or disks BBS (they didn't exist in the 1960s).
  3. No reflections: in original photos, chrome parts (bumper, grille) should reflect surrounding objects. If there are no reflections, it is a 3D render.

Another way to check is reverse image search through TinEye or Google Images. If the same photo appears on different sites with different descriptions (for example, how Datsun 1200then how Toyota Corolla), this is a sure sign of a fake.

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The most reliable way to get an original photo is to contact the club owners Datsun (For example, Datsun Owners Club UK) and ask for pictures of their cars. Most collectors are willing to share archives.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photographs Nissan Datsun

Can I use a photo? Datsun from the Internet for commercial purposes?

Most photos found through Google are protected by copyright. For legal use:

  • Look for licensed images Creative Commons CC-BY (permits use with indication of the author).
  • Buy stock photos at Shutterstock or Adobe Stock (price from $10 per photo).
  • For spare parts catalogs, take photos from manufacturers' websites (for example, Nissan Parts Catalog).
How to take a photo Datsun in retro style?

Use:

  • Filter VSCO A6 or Kodak Gold to simulate film.
  • Add "dust and scratches" to Photoshop (texture Film Grain).
  • Crop photos in 3:2 format (like old cameras Nikon F).
Where to find photos of the salon Datsun 1200 in original condition?

Best sources:

  • Japanese auction Japan Classic Car Auction (section "Interior Photos»).
  • Group Datsun 1200 Restoration on Facebook (member albums).
  • Book "Datsun 1200: The Complete Story” (pp. 45–52).

Pay attention to the details: the original steering wheel had a logo Datsun with red enamel, and not chromed, as on replicas.