THE FAIRLADY 1200 AND 1500 PROTOTYPES

AN EARLY SKETCH BY HIDEHIRO IIZUKA, DESIGNER OF THE FAIRLADY 1500

FURTHER SKETCHES OF THE FRONT AND REAR BY MR IIZUKA.

The birth of the Fairlady 1500

During the early 1960s the SPL212/213 had not sold well, although these models had helped Nissan dip their toe in the US market. Nissan knew that to be taken seriously they had to offer a product that could compete with the best in the world, both in style and performance.

Nissan had previously employed Yuichi Ohta of Alpha Motors to develop the S211, SPL212 & SPL213 model from Ohta's original A80X prototype.  Ohta was also commissioned by the Nissan Exterior Design department to produce a prototype for the SPL213's replacement and, in 1959, the Alpha prototype was unveiled. The Alpha, however, was not developed further. 

In addition to the Alpha, Nissan also commissioned Mr Hidehiro Iizuka to design an in-house prototype.  Mr Iizuka was last in charge of the interior of the 310 Bluebird,  and the Fairlady commission was a giant step for the designer.  Following initial drawings, which were penned as early as 1958, Nissan commissioned Alpha Motors to produce a clay model and full-size prototype of Iizuka's design. The full size mock-up, in red, was transported from the Alpha works to Nissan's prototype plant in Tsurumi ,Yokohama, where Mr Kawamata, the then Nissan President, immediately confirmed his agreement to the Fairlady's development towards full scale production.

THE 1961 TOKYO MOTOR SHOW RHD FAIRLADY PROTOTYPE

A number of prototypes were produced, in both left and right hand drive form, with both 1200 and 1500cc engines.  All retained the basic final production shape, with only detail differences evident.  The first public showing of the new Fairlady, still in prototype form, was at the Tokyo Motor show in October 1961 (see above). In early 1962 she was also shown in New York.

The production car was finally launched on 4th October 1962. Mr Iizuka went on to head up development of another landmark car, the 510, in addition to it's successors.

As for the Fairlady Roadster itself, the rest is history.

Rob Beddington

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Although the final production Fairlady 1500 looked almost identical to the prototypes, there were many changes made to the initial design.  Some changes, such as the addition of rear reflectors, were mandatory due to legislation  - others, including the addition of door handles, were practical improvements.  The main changes are detailed below.

When you compare the production car to the initial drawings, one thing is certain - Hidehiro Iizuka's initial concept was never lost during the roadster's development, much to the credit of  Mr Iizuka, his design team and their superiors.

AN EARLY LHD FAIRLADY PROTOTYPE - BADGED 'DATSUN 1200'

1		The bonnet/hood of the prototypes featured a taller vent than the production 1500 Fairlady and this was backed with an expanded wire mesh grille. In addition, further forward, all prototypes boasted an inclined Fairlady badge mounted on the grille.
2		A number of wheel trims/discs were used.  One car featured hub caps with a capital D in the centre - The above car featured the same hubcaps, plus wheeltrims. The Tokyo show car of 1961 had plain hub caps, and wheeltrims with oblong slots. Production model wheeltrims were full diameter and featured circular slots.
3		Both the front and rear wings/fenders on all of the prototypes had a flush wheelarch surround, unlike the production cars, which featured a lip around all the arches. Further forward, the Japanese spec. teardrop indicators did not appear until production began. In addition, wing mirrors were never seen on the early prototypes.
4		None of the prototypes featured quarterlights/side vents. In addition, the windscreen/ shield was slightly more raked and gave the Fairlady a more sporty look than the final production 1500.
5		A few of the early prototypes featured exterior door handles, (see also Hidehiro Iizuka's sketch above).  By the Tokyo show of 1961 it was agreed, for the sake of practicality and security, that door handles were a must. The 1961 show car was still missing door locks, which were developed in early 1962.

THE REAR

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There were a number of detail changes at the rear. None of the prototypes featured reflectors (see also Mr Iizuka's sketches). The reversing lamp was mounted above the bumper and there were a number of emblems used, including Datsun 1200, Datsun 1500 & Fairlady. The above car also had a badge on its rear flanks, which I believe to be the Alpha Motors emblem.

THE INTERIOR

7 - THE INTERIOR

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The interior went through a number of changes, although the dash remained reasonably faithful to the above layout. The centre of the dash was reorganised and the production car's console was deeper. Some had a Datsun scrip on the glovebox lid.  Steering wheels were plain 2 spoke affairs with a capital D in the centre.

All prototypes featured the infamous third seat of the production car. To underline the importance of the US market  to Nissan, all prototypes featured the US spec. overriders/bumber guards (which never appeared on the Japanese roadsters), driving/spot lamps and whitewall tyres.

FURTHER PROTOTYPE MATERIAL

Car Graphic-4/69	Nostalgic Hero-10/92