Not many Japanese pickup trucks have stood the test of time quite as well as the little Datsun 620. With production always set to its most “efficient” the quality of steel used in Japanese production cars from this era almost always left something to be desired. As a result, they dissolved away well before their time, often leaving a perfectly reliable drivetrain behind. A strange exception to this rule is the little 620, somehow getting through more years than its closest rivals as well as some reliable, albeit underpowered Japanese engines keep them going forever.
Design-wise it is also pretty unusual for a work vehicle to have such flowing lines, something that has also stood the test of time, and still be attractive a good 50 years down the road.
The History Behind It
Launched at a time where the world really needed more efficient workhorses, it still came up against strong opposition in the form of the Toyota Pickup/Hilux, Ford Courier, and the Chevrolet LUV.
The last two were part of the many rebadged light-duty pickup trucks, all capable of hauling over a ton of anything. Hauling it was one thing, hauling that ton at any great speed is another entirely! One thing these “mini-trucks” have in common is they all have small, efficient (in this context, just enough) power plants that deliver almost no power at all, yet manage to squeeze every possible pound-foot of torque out of them to enable them to move their loads around. This gave them an endearing “underdog” feel, able to punch well above their weight and take unheard of amounts of punishment. The 620 was one of the toughest little trucks out of all of them, it stood tall alongside the early Hilux as one of the most reliable pickups around, with simple, tough as nails running gear. It was also one of the few pickups that passed the stringent California emissions test, making use of an early EGR system as opposed to a catalytic converter. This was a huge deal considering how few other pickups were able to pass this particular test, giving Datsun/Nissan a leg up on all the competition.
Popularity With Tuners
One thing that sets it apart from the opposition is its looks. It is unusually attractive for a pickup, especially from this era where pretty much everything seemed to be designed with a set square and a ruler.
Its unusual flowing lines have inspired many tuners over the years, with the pickup getting an engine swap and some upgraded suspension to go drifting/racing to aesthetic semi-restorations that go for period-correct looks. One undeniable factor is its flexibility, able to provide a blank canvas for any type of build. Unlike some of the other pickups mentioned above, the key ingredient is their availability. Part of this might be accredited to their superior build quality, this much is debatable because they rust as much as any vehicle from the era, but one unusual statistic from the period might hint as to why they have outlasted their opposition. 40% of the people buying the 620 said they were buying this in place of a car, to be used as a car, unlike the other pickups that were mostly used as commercial vehicles. Another factor could be the small innovation introduced in the later part of its lifespan; the extended cab version marketed as a fun “sporty” family vehicle.
Buying A 620 Can Still Be A Good Experience
It was an answer to a need for a more efficient pickup at the time, an efficient multi-tool in a time after so much excess and so many inefficient vehicles that came with that excess. Even if it was underpowered, it still happened to have loads of character.
It fulfilled all the basic needs people had, especially those with young families and a business that required something that could carry a load during the week. Today we have crew/multi-cab pickup trucks that do this even better with more creature comforts and more powerful, equally efficient engines but at the time it came out the 620 was an incredible little machine. Back then it was just a working-class hero, today, it is something a little different. Among the many hats it has worn over the years it is now something of a desirable project car, with everything JDM gaining popularity and also steadily increasing in value, this little pickup is still pretty affordable. We hope it stays that way for many years to come and give enthusiasts just a little more time with this classic pickup.