Datsun Bluebird/YLN 704 (310/311/312/DP311/DP312). 1959–63 (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/R, 988, 1189 cm³ (I4 OHV). Akiro Sato-styled range, giving Datsun a more contemporary-looking entrant, but still with Anglo influences. More competitive than upright 210, and the first Datsun notching up some decent numbers in export markets. Hugely improved ride and handling. Semi-monocoque body. Larger 1·2 (48 hp) still similar to BMC B-series, which had powered Austins that Nissan built under licence, created to head off Volkswagen Käfer, which was doing well in the US. Wagon from 1960, automatic from 1961. Also formed the basis of South Korea’s first postwar sedan, the Saenara.

Manufacturing location: Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan; Taiwan, Rep. of China

Marque: Datsun | Model: Nissan Bluebird | Predecessor: Datsun 210 | Successor: Nissan Bluebird (410)

q.v. Saenara (1962–3)