Description

The Datsun vans of the 1950s were among Nissan’s earliest postwar commercial vehicles, designed to meet the growing demand for practical, affordable transportation during Japan’s period of recovery and industrial rebuilding. These vans were typically built on the same platforms as Datsun’s small passenger cars of the time, and shared much of their mechanical layout and styling, though adapted for utility use.

One of the key models was the Datsun 5147 Van, introduced around 1951 and continuing into the early 1950s. It was a light commercial vehicle based on the Datsun DS series, using a ladder-frame chassis and a simple, rear-wheel-drive layout. Powered by an 860 cc side-valve four-cylinder engine, the van produced approximately 25 to 27 horsepower. This provided modest but sufficient performance for urban and local delivery duties. The vehicle was equipped with a three-speed manual transmission and had a top speed of around 80 kilometers per hour.

The body design was highly functional, with a small cab and a rear cargo area that could be accessed via swinging rear doors or a lift-gate, depending on configuration. The van had flat, box-like body panels and minimal ornamentation, in keeping with its utilitarian purpose. It typically featured two seats in the front and a simple steel interior in the rear cargo section, making it suitable for transporting goods rather than passengers. Its compact size made it ideal for navigating narrow city streets and alleyways, which were common in Japan’s urban areas.

Throughout the 1950s, Nissan continued to refine and improve its van offerings. Later models incorporated minor updates to engines, interiors, and exterior design, but the essential formula remained the same: small, economical, and durable vehicles designed for tradesmen, delivery services, and small businesses. The vans were not luxurious by any means, but they were valued for their reliability and ease of maintenance.

Datsun vans from the 1950s are rarely seen today, but they represent an important chapter in the company’s early history. These vehicles helped establish Nissan as a dependable manufacturer of light commercial vehicles and laid the groundwork for the more sophisticated vans that would follow in the decades to come. They also played a quiet but essential role in Japan’s postwar economic development, supporting the daily operations of countless small enterprises during a critical time of national rebuilding.