Description

The Datsun 25T Pickup was one of the early commercial vehicles produced by Nissan in the immediate post-war period. Introduced in the late 1940s and produced into the early 1950s, the 25T was part of a series of utilitarian trucks that helped rebuild Japan’s economy and transportation infrastructure after World War II.

Based on prewar designs but updated for postwar production, the Datsun 25T was a small, cab-over-engine style pickup. It featured a flat, functional body with a compact front end, allowing for more cargo space despite its relatively small overall size. The design reflected a strong emphasis on simplicity, durability, and cost-efficiency—crucial factors in Japan’s economic recovery.

The 25T was powered by a 722cc Type 7 side-valve four-cylinder engine, which produced approximately 16 horsepower. While modest in power, the engine was designed for reliability and low operating costs, making it suitable for small-scale transport, urban deliveries, and light-duty hauling.

The payload capacity was around 500 kg (approximately 1,100 pounds), which positioned it well within the light commercial category. The truck’s mechanical layout was very straightforward: rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and minimal electrical or luxury components. Its simplicity made it easy to maintain and repair, which was particularly important in an era when resources and spare parts were limited.

Visually, the Datsun 25T had a boxy, utilitarian appearance. The cabin was basic, with two seats and a bare-metal interior. The body was made from pressed steel panels, and the rear cargo bed was open with simple wooden floorboards and metal sides.

The Datsun 25T was mainly sold within Japan, as Nissan’s export capabilities were still developing at the time. However, it set the stage for the company’s future expansion into the global market. Its success in the domestic market demonstrated that Nissan could produce reliable and cost-effective commercial vehicles, laying the groundwork for the later Datsun pickup models that would be exported internationally in large numbers during the 1960s and 1970s.

Today, the Datsun 25T Pickup is a rare and historically significant vehicle. Very few examples survive, but it remains an important early chapter in the story of Nissan’s rise as a major automotive manufacturer.