The initial Nissan sold in America took almost a minute to reach 60 mph | Carscoops

      The Datsun 1000 made its debut in America in 1958, featuring a modest 37 hp, the same year Chrysler unveiled its powerful 390 hp 300D.

      Before 1981, Nissan vehicles sold in the US were marketed under the Datsun name, with the 1000 sedan being the inaugural model.

      This unremarkable four-door vehicle was launched in 1958, powered by a 37 hp engine that drew from a British design.

      Accelerating from zero to 60 mph took an excruciating 46 seconds, and it could only reach a max speed just slightly higher at 66 mph.

      Perhaps it’s due to Nissan's current struggles, but there’s a sudden desire to learn more about the brand’s history, especially its entry into the US market. Most are familiar with the 240Z that launched in 1970, as well as the 510 that was successful in Trans Am racing during that era. Yet, what existed prior, and was it notable?

      Of course, the 240Z and 510 were Datsuns, not Nissans, with the name change in the U.S. only occurring in 1981. The first Datsun sold in America was the rather unappealing 210, which was marketed as the 1000, hinting at the capacity of its modest four-cylinder engine under the hood.

      It was not an attractive vehicle. While the black and green paint on a first-year 1958 model, which sold for $35,000 on Bring a Trailer a couple of years ago, has its charm, the overall design is extremely drab.

      In comparison to the wider and lower cars emerging from Detroit at that time, the 1000 appears oddly tall and narrow, resembling an oversized kei car. The addition of a sloping trunk further contributes to its unappealing look, and while the typeface of the speedometer is refined, it seems like something from a decade prior.

      The engine was a destroked variant of the British Motor Corporation’s (BMC) B-series pushrod four-cylinder, which later powered numerous MGBs. Nissan had a strong collaboration with BMC, having manufactured BMC’s Austin A50 under license since the early 1950s and producing Austin Seven clones since before the war.

      In the 1000, it generated 37 hp (37 PS), a figure that sounds dismal today, and honestly, it was underwhelming even back then, although most imports were not particularly more powerful. In a December 1958 test, Road & Track found that the car took 46 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) and had a top speed of only 66 mph (106 km/h), significantly lower than Datsun's claimed top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h).

      “Any car that is to be successful must offer either superior performance, better economy than its competitors, or some unique appeal,” Road & Track noted at the time. “The Datsun lacks all three.” Harsh criticism. Fortunately, Datsuns did improve, both in aesthetics and driving experience, and within a decade, the 510 was earning a reputation as an affordable alternative to BMW among enthusiasts.