Description

The Datsun 114 was a compact sedan produced by Nissan in 1957, continuing the company’s line of small passenger vehicles designed for Japan’s rapidly expanding postwar automotive market. It was a direct successor to the earlier Datsun 112 and 113 models and served as a bridge to the more widely known and successful Datsun 210 series that followed shortly after.

The Datsun 114 retained the 860 cc side-valve four-cylinder engine, producing approximately 25 horsepower. This engine had proven reliable in earlier Datsun models, and while its output was modest, it was adequate for urban driving and light commuting. The car featured a three-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, a layout typical of the era.

In terms of design, the Datsun 114 offered incremental updates over its predecessors. The styling was functional and somewhat conservative, with a slightly more modern grille and subtle changes to the body lines. It retained a three-box sedan configuration, with rounded fenders, a simple roofline, and steel wheels. The design was influenced by contemporary European cars, especially British compact sedans, which were popular in Japan during the 1950s.

Inside, the car was basic but serviceable. It offered seating for four, a painted metal dashboard with minimal instrumentation, and simple controls. The materials were practical, with vinyl or cloth seat coverings, depending on trim. Like its predecessors, the 114 was built with affordability and ease of maintenance in mind, making it attractive to first-time car buyers and families.

Production of the Datsun 114 was relatively limited, as it was soon overshadowed by the introduction of the Datsun 210 series, which brought a new level of mechanical sophistication and export potential. As a result, the 114 is rarely seen today and is considered one of the transitional models in Nissan’s early postwar lineup.

The Datsun 114 played a modest but important role in the company’s development. It helped refine the formula of small, economical cars that Nissan would go on to perfect with the Bluebird and Sunny models in the following decades. Though overshadowed by later successes, it remains a valuable piece of Japanese automotive history.