The Carchive:- The Datsun Violet (710)

Violet1
The Rolling Stones are famously performing a series of sell-out concerts this year, and Ronnie Wood has told me that “I’m always sure to catch up on R.A-S.H before going on stage” *. I trust we give the band that Satisfaction they seem to find so elusive.
One of the Japanese cars on offer during the heyday of the Stones was the Datsun Violet, (simply Datsun 710 in the US), and we visit it in today’s foray into the archive.

“The Violet Mark II offers the family man executive style motoring in a compact saloon of considerable refinement and quality”
I know somebody who entered one of these in a banger-race where it met its ultimate fate with some style, and with drama enough to deserve its nickname of “the Datsun Violent”.
Violet2
“…crisp body styling”
I’m sure a better word could have been chosen than “crisp”, but at least there’s plenty to talk about. Though Nissan were pouring on the chintz during this era, I have a great fondness for the over-elaborate detailing found on so many Japanese cars of the time. Such greats as the Toyota Crown, the first of the Celicas and the Nissan Laurel were festooned with chrome trinkets, obviously inspired by events on the other side of the Pacific.
Some of that style trickled down onto the smaller models in the range, and a generous helping is found on the Violet. Especially of note are the hubcaps, which approach the grotesqueness of those fitted to the Sunny and the 240Z.
“…maximum ride comfort with safe, predictable handling”
Maximum must translate as “the best we could do given the circumstances”, as the Violet didn’t go down in history as especially adept in either discipline. It offered the very most conventional of drivetrains, with a longitudinal four-cylinder motor mated to rear wheel drive via a live axle. Nothing innovative here; the Mac-P struts at the back were in line with what was happening pretty well everywhere the world over.
“Reclining front seats with adjustable head restraints, a two wave band push-button radio, tinted glass, heated rear window, electric clock, reversing lights, hazard flashers, and much more”
Violet3
Central to the appeal of the Japanese car was the long list of amenities fitted as standard, and in this regard the Violet would eclipse its European rivals dramatically. On top of that; check out the design of the dashboard. It seems a shame that the Violet became more generic both outside and in as the years went by.
“The 160J SSS coupe is an exciting car that combines sports car performance and handling, with saloon car comfort and space”
I really dig the way these cars look. The front end and some other aspects unashamedly borrow from the Fuselage body Plymouths, look at the nose treatment and daylight openings on a ’72 Road Runner for a comparo. That all said, it was seen as a bit “gimmicky” for restrained and conservative European tastes.
Violet4
“The SSS has the same high level of interior luxury as the Violet saloon, plus tachometer and oil pressure gauge”
Are oil pressure gauges sporty? The feature roster was as high as usual, though I gag slightly at the sight of all that black vinyl all over the door and sidewall panelling. Must have made the rear seats of the SSS a very oppressive place to be; in fact even the regular four-door was criticised for rear visibility and small windows.
“…..refined performance motoring in comfort. And it’s built by Datsun- with the care that ensures reliability and satisfaction.”
The Datsun reputation slowly and surely improved in the UK, and really took off once they reverted to the Nissan identity in the early 80s. Sadly, the “D” was also widely associated with rust, and many a Violet (or any other Datsun, for that matter) succumbed to the galloping orange virus long before their time.
As a result, on this island with its salty roads and damp atmosphere, there very few of these remaining which makes any survivors a rare, and enjoyable, sight.
(Disclaimer: All images are of original manufacturer publicity materials, photographed by me. All material remains copyright of Nissan)
(* He didn’t really)

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6 responses to “The Carchive:- The Datsun Violet (710)”

  1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

    "Mac-P struts at the back"….er, front. Sorry. A LOT of scotch that day. Obvs.

  2. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    Ah, the 710, I remember it well. I used to have a brochure for that, and I think it had the famous locomotive Flying Scot in it. The 710 was boring yet bulletproof.

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Darn, I was wrong, it was the B-210:
      <img src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/575832_10200830350902623_817570646_n.jpg"&gt;

  3. Rover1 Avatar
    Rover1

    A friend of mine had one of these when they were current. He had a rural job and one day, on his way to work got stuck on a narrow country road by a small herd of cattle being moved for milking. As the small group went past, while he was stationary, one of the cows tripped and fell across the front of the car, crushing it. The bonnet was pushed right down to the bumper, the radiator burst and the suspension collapsed. The cow was unhurt and after getting itself upright rejoined it's little flock. The car was written off and replaced by a much better albeit older Datsun 1600 (510 for you in the US) which was seemingly better in every way .

  4. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    These were tough, reliable little buggers. A nice economy car that didn't rub you nose in your poverty or thrift.

  5. gamble Avatar
    gamble

    I drive my wagon every day. Except for a new carb and some wheels off an old z i really haven't had to do much to it. http://i.imgur.com/uGiF4S7.jpg