Description
The Datsun Cablight A221 was a light-duty commercial vehicle produced by Nissan in the late 1950s, specifically designed for urban and short-distance delivery tasks. Introduced around 1958, it formed part of the broader “Cablight” series, which offered compact truck and van body styles, optimized for tight city streets and low-cost operation.
The A221 model featured a cab-over-engine (COE) design, meaning the driver sat above the front axle and engine. This layout allowed for a shorter overall length while maximizing cargo space—a critical advantage in congested urban environments. The vehicle had a very compact footprint but offered a practical load area in the back, with configurations available as both a pickup and a van.
Power came from the 988cc C-series inline-four engine, a small but reliable unit also used in the Datsun 210 sedan of the same period. It produced around 34 to 37 horsepower, which was adequate for city driving and light cargo work. The engine was paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, sending power to the rear wheels.
The styling of the Datsun Cablight A221 was utilitarian but modern for the time. It had a boxy cab with flat metal panels, large windows for good visibility, and simple round headlamps. The interior was extremely basic, with minimal instrumentation and controls, intended purely for function over comfort.
Payload capacity was modest, generally rated at 500 kg, which made it suitable for small deliveries, light freight, and trades work. Its small size, narrow width, and excellent maneuverability made it popular with businesses in Japan’s growing cities, where larger trucks were impractical.
Though the Cablight A221 was mainly targeted at the domestic Japanese market, a limited number were exported to other parts of Asia and possibly to Oceania in small volumes. However, it was not widely known in Western markets, especially compared to later Datsun pickups like the 320 or 520 series.
The Cablight series, including the A221, laid the groundwork for Nissan’s later success in the light commercial vehicle segment. It demonstrated the brand’s ability to produce compact, efficient, and durable work vehicles that met the demands of postwar urban economies.
Today, the Datsun Cablight A221 is a rare and collectible piece of Nissan’s early commercial history. Surviving examples are extremely scarce, and they are appreciated by vintage Japanese vehicle enthusiasts for their uniqueness and role in the development of Japan’s automotive industry.