Nissan Sunny - B210 Series

B210 Series

Exported as the Datsun 120Y and Datsun B-210 (in North America), the third generation (1973–1978) Sunny was extremely popular as it debuted during the gas crisis of the 1970s. Six body styles were offered: the four-door sedan, two-door sedan, two-door hatchback, three-door wagon, five-door wagon, and a two-door van. The coupé still retained fastback styling, but now featured a full hatchback door rather than the small trunk lid of the previous generation Sunny. The wagon and van were not offered in North America.

The Sunny continued to be the fuel-economy leader in North America and one of the least expensive cars available. This was in part due to the light metal; small A12 or A14 engine with OHV technology and a very basic vinyl interior used in its construction. At the time, their body styles were popular with buyers - mainly the hatchback coupé as the sedans were considered by some to be less appealing. American B210s were the first Sunny's to have the larger 30 mph collision bumpers- due to the US's safety standards at the time. Other markets continued with the more tightly fit chrome bumpers.

The "Datsun Honeybee" and The "Datsun SSS" were limited edition B-210s; the Honeybee being released only in North America and the SSS in New Zealand and Australia. Both only featured minor aesthetic differences to the regular B-210. Nonetheless these models are now considered collector's items among Datsun enthusiasts.

Despite earlier misgivings, the 120Y, when finally launched in New Zealand in 1974, proved popular with Nissan NZ eventually assembling some cars itself in a "temporary" CKD plant in the Auckland suburb of Mount Roskill until its new plant in Wiri was completed later in the decade. Four-door sedans and three-and five-door wagons were built locally and supplemented by some coupes imported built-up from Japan.

Although regular production in Japan as well as sales in most countries ended with the 1978 model year, the B210 series continued to be produced by Nissan South Africa through 1980.

The 1978 B-210 (American model) with 5-speed transmission was rated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency at 50 mpg (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg) highway fuel economy.

The 120Y was sharply criticized by magazines such as Wheels of Australia, which felt that it offered no true improvement on its predecessor, not surprising given that the B110 platform was carried over, but used a slightly revised A12 engine. Like some Nissans of this period, it tended to be overstyled.

The related Sunny Excellents continued as PB210 models, fitted with a 1.4-litre L14 engine. In 1976 Nissan changed the Sunny Excellent from a distinct vehicle model (PB210) to simply a trim-level option for the regular B210, now fitted with the 1.6-liter L16 engine.

Road & Track was somewhat critical of the B-210 in their 1975 test. They criticized the "modest performance" of the "peppy" engine, but were impressed with its 27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg) fuel economy. B210 pricing started at US$2849 that year.

This chassis formed the basis for the S10 chassis on the Nissan Silvia.

US-market models were fitted with these A-series engines (years given are model years):

• 1974: A13 engine, 1.3 L (1288 cc) OHV I4
• 1975–1978: A14 engine, 1.4 L (1397 cc) OHV I4, various horsepower ratings from 65-85 hp

In most markets, the B210 line featured as the only engine option a re-designed A12 engine. However, in the South African market they also featured L14 and L16 engine options, as well as a special edition of B210 coupé badged as a 140Z and a 160Z. The 140Z featured a high performance camshaft, freeflow exhaust and twin 40mm Dellorto carburettors, while the 160Z featured twin SU carburetors and both had 5-speed transmission.

A highly modified "ground effect" 120Y fastback coupe is the fastest Datsun/Nissan in the world. Tom Burkland's "411 To Bonneville" held the B/BFCC record at Bonneville from August 1985 to August 2011 with a speed of 294.868 mph. SCTA records