The Nissan Junior was a series of medium-sized pickup trucks built from 1956 to 1982. It filled the gap between the smaller Datsun truck, which was based on the Bluebird, and the heavier Nissans sold under the Nissan Diesel brand. After the merger with Prince, the Junior and the Prince Miler were combined, with the Junior at Nissan Bluebird Store and the Miler at Nissan Prince Store until 1970.
Nissan Junior at a glance
| Production | 1956–1982 |
|---|---|
| First model | B40, from October 1956 |
| Payload | 1.75 tons and three passengers |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (B40), 2,610 mm (B140), 2,800 mm (40-series) |
| First engine | 1.5-litre 1H four, 50 PS |
| B140 engine | 1,488 cc G four, 71 PS |
| 40-series engine | 1,883 cc H four, 85 PS, or 1.5-litre G |
| Dealers | Nissan Bluebird Store |
| Twin model | Prince Miler to 1970 |
| Later production | Iran, as the Zamyad |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan Junior.
History of the Nissan Junior
B40 (1956–1960)
The B40 Junior was launched in October 1956 as a medium-sized truck able to carry 1.75 tons and three passengers, with a 2,500 mm wheelbase. Its bonneted layout was less space-efficient than a cab-over but gave a much better ride, and a VB40 van version was offered. The B40 used Nissan’s 1.5-litre 1H four of 50 PS, enough for a 90 km/h top speed; in August 1958 the B42 raised power to 57 PS. In December 1957 a cab-over version appeared as the Junior Caball. Special bodies included a panel van, a glazed van (VSB42), a tank truck and a vacuum car (EGB42).
B140 (1960–1962)
The B140 kept the B40 looks with a new grille and a longer 2,610 mm wheelbase but used the all-new 1,488 cc G-series engine shared with the Cedric, making 71 PS and giving 95 km/h. It was introduced in April 1960, at the same time as the Caball received the same engine, after which the “Junior” part of the Caball name was dropped. There was a 1.25-ton version, the B140 (B), and the regular 1.75-tonner was the B140 (A).
40-series (1962–1966)
The second generation arrived in January 1962 with a much more modern design, four headlights in a horizontal arrangement, more integrated fenders and independent front suspension. The wheelbase grew to 2,800 mm. The entry N40 kept the 71 PS 1.5-litre G engine, while a new 1.9-litre version reached 110 km/h. It was the first medium-size truck able to carry 2 tons and used the 85 PS 1,883 cc H engine of the 31-series Cedric, along with Cedric headlight surrounds, door handles and trim. The Junior was always outsold by the Toyota Stout, perhaps because it was marketed under the unfamiliar Nissan name. From 1970 Zamyad assembled it in Iran as the Nissan Zamyad, and production continued there under later names.
Design and features
- Medium payload: 1.75 tons at first, two tons in the 40-series.
- Bonneted layout: a smoother ride than the cab-over Caball.
- Cedric engineering: the B140 and 40-series shared engines and trim with the Cedric.
- Iranian afterlife: built in Iran from 1970 under Zamyad and later names.
Nissan Junior versions
- Junior B40 / B42 (1956–1960): the original 1.5-litre truck.
- Junior B140 (1960–1962): G engine and longer wheelbase.
- Junior 40-series (1962–1966): four headlights and a two-ton payload.
- Junior Caball: the cab-over version, later simply the Caball.
- Nissan Zamyad: the Iranian-built version from 1970.
The Junior was the larger brother of the Datsun truck and the basis of the Caball. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: nissan junior
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan Junior, English Wikipedia: B40, B140 and 40-series details, Iranian production
