The Complete History of Nissan: From Tokyo to Tennessee
The Origins of Nissan: From Datsun to Global Icon
The story of Nissan begins in 1911 with the founding of the Kwaishinsha (Kaishinsha) Motor Car Works in Tokyo. Three years later, in 1914, the company produced its first vehicle—the DAT model, named using an acronym of the initial investors’ surnames. Though these early vehicles bore the Datsun name, the Nissan brand as we know it didn’t officially emerge until 1933, when founder Yoshisuke Aikawa listed the Nihon Sangyo Company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker name “NISSAN,” officially establishing Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. This pivotal moment set the stage for what would become one of the world’s most innovative and recognizable automotive companies. In the 91 years since that historic listing, the Nissan name has grown to become a household brand known in almost every corner of the globe, representing a legacy of innovation, performance, and technological advancement that continues to shape the automotive industry today.
1914-1959: Building the Foundation
Japan’s First Mass-Produced Vehicle (1937)
The Datsun Type 15 became the first mass-produced Japanese vehicle, a milestone achievement for the country’s automotive industry. The Type 15 line included various body styles: phaeton, mini pickup, and delivery van, demonstrating Nissan’s early commitment to versatility.
The Skyline Debuts (1957)
A forerunner to the revolutionary GT-R®, the Skyline was introduced in 1957. This iconic nameplate would evolve over decades, eventually leading to the modern Nissan R35 GT-R, which first became available for sale in the U.S. in 2009.
Datsun Comes to America (1958-1959)
The first Datsun introduced to the U.S. market in 1958 was the Datsun 1000, built on the same platform as the Datsun pickup truck. This was replaced in 1961 by the Datsun 1200. In 1959, the compact pickup truck came to America, and while the first Datsun models arrived in ’58, a quarter-ton model with a 48-HP 1200 CC engine truly established itself on American shores the following year.
From Japan to America (1959)
Nissan brought its first Datsun models—a 1000 cc car and truck—to the U.S. at the 1959 Los Angeles Auto Show. This marked the beginning of Nissan’s American journey, which would eventually lead to global expansion with production facilities in Mexico (1966), Australia, Taiwan, and ultimately the first American factory opening in Smyrna, Tennessee, in 1983.
1960-1969: Datsun Performance Shines
Fairlady 1200 Roadster (1961)
The first Datsun sports car imported to the U.S., this convertible roadster featured steel bodywork with a zippy 48-hp engine and drum brakes. Only 288 units were produced through 1962, making it a collector’s item today.
Datsun 320 Truck (1965)
An upgrade to previous Datsun trucks, the 320 featured a 60-hp engine and the first 4-speed floor shift, setting new standards for compact truck performance.
Exclusive Performance: The 2000 Roadster (1967)
Highly desired by collectors, the 2000 Roadster was the first Japanese production sports car to come with a 5-speed transmission. Combined with its robust 150-hp engine, it was extraordinarily fun to drive. Production was limited to just 1,000 units, with the first 10 being lightweight versions designed specifically for racing.
Expanding the Lineup (1967-1968)
1967 was a banner year for Nissan in America. The company introduced the Nissan 411 4-Door Sedan, designed by Italian design house Pininfarina and featuring a luxurious interior. It was the first Datsun vehicle in the American market to feature a fully 3-speed automatic transmission.
That same year, Nissan launched its first SUV in the U.S.—the Nissan Patrol. Following Land Rover’s trail, it offered more power for less money while being just as tough. The Patrol was the only vehicle sold and marketed in the U.S. as a Nissan prior to 1983.
In 1968, Nissan launched the first car styled specifically for the U.S. market: the Datsun 510 sedan, available in 2-door, 4-door, and 5-door wagon configurations.
Datsun 1600 Roadster (1969)
The Datsun 1600 Roadster debuted in 1964-1965 as the Datsun Fairlady 1500 and shared many mechanical features with the Datsun Bluebird. Eventually, the model evolved into the Fairlady 1600 Roadster.
1970-1979: Driving Innovation
The 1970s were a transformative decade for Nissan. The company sold the one-millionth Datsun and became the top vehicle importer in the United States by 1975. In 1971, annual sales eclipsed 250,000 in the United States for the first time. Nissan also established itself on the track, as the now-legendary Datsun 510 and 240Z dominated racing on two continents. In 1973, the 1-millionth vehicle was sold in America.
Datsun Coupe (1971)
The Datsun Coupe featured seating for five and fold-down rear seats. Available in the U.S. from 1970-73, it sold 89,541 units, making it the best-selling car of the time. Datsun 1200 Coupes won three SCCA C-Sedan National Championships.
Racing Datsun 510, #46 (1971)
Peter Brock and Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) built and raced the number 46 Datsun 510, which won the 1971 and 1972 SCCA Trans-Am championships driven by John Morton. Its success helped bring brand recognition to a newcomer in the emerging Japanese market.
Datsun 240Z Debut (1971)
The 240Z was introduced as a new sports car at the New York Auto Show in 1969. It featured a fastback-styled body based on European design and boasted standard equipment like a strong inline 2.4-liter 6-cylinder engine, full instrumentation, and reclining bucket seats—all at an affordable price. This model would become one of the most iconic sports cars of all time.
Datsun 510 Sedan (1972)
The 510 was a novel concept at the time: a good-looking, economical, fuel-efficient, five-passenger car that was fun to drive. It was available in a 4-door sedan or 2-door coupe with independent rear suspension, or a 5-door wagon. Over its lifetime, the 510 went on to sell more than 300,000 units.
Datsun King Cab (1977)
Building a solid reputation for durable and fun-to-drive small trucks, Datsun introduced the King Cab—the first extended cab pickup—in 1977.
Datsun B210GX (1978)
The B210 was renowned as Nissan’s best-selling small sedan of the 1970s. The 1978 model was rated at 48 mpg highway, and the “B210 Plus” edition boasted 50 mpg highway—a lofty achievement for a carbureted vehicle.
Nissan Design Comes to America (1979)
In 1979, Nissan Design America (NDA) was established in La Jolla, California, with a mandate to bring American style and concepts to Nissan vehicles. Over the years, NDA brought us the original Altima®, the original Pathfinder, the modular Pulsar NX, and the Xterra.
1980-1989: From Trucks to the Racetracks
Nissan built upon its successes of the 1970s—both in the showrooms and on the racetrack. Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation (NMMC) was established in Smyrna, Tennessee, to fulfill the growing demand for Nissan vehicles. In 1989, Nissan produced the 1-millionth vehicle on American soil. On the track, Hollywood legend Paul Newman captured Nissan’s 50th national SCCA championship following consecutive wins in 1985 and 1986 with the Newman/Sharp Trans-Am 300ZX®.
Four-Door Sports Car is Born (1981)
The first-generation Nissan Maxima was introduced as the successor to the Datsun 810 sedan. Equipped with an inline-6 engine from the 240Z, this was no ordinary sedan, and the Maxima cemented its four-door sports car status for decades to come.
Championship Off-Road Racing Trucks (1982)
Between 1982 and 1992, Datsun collected an impressive 19 off-roading championship trophies. The most radical off-roader—a sandblasting 380-hp King Cab desert racer—competed in the HRDA/SCORE Class 1 Unlimited Vehicle series.
First American-Built Nissan Truck (1983)
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