Real Road Test: 1970 Datsun Cedric (G130) Super Six

Another Cedric! This is the second-generation by Nissan, sold as Datsun in Europe. This beautiful example has a 2.4-litre OHC six, and 'Full Automatic' transmission. Truly lovely.
HubNut store and support options are located at hubnut.org or / hubnut - thank you.
This car, plus the previous Sunny B10 and Cedric Y30, were kindly provided by Iwan and Patrick, organisers of the excellent Japan Classic Sunday event in The Netherlands. www.japanclass...

[@ianwhunter1]

The story behind the "Cedric" name is quite interesting. I have owned several Cedrics of different ages in the past. After WW11 when both the UK and the USA were helping to get Japanese industry working again to help restore their economy many Japanese employees had to learn English. One of the set text books in the curriculum included an English hero with "derring-do" who always saved the day, had impeccable manners in an old fashioned British way. The character's name was Cedric and so the name was associated in Japan with all that is honorable and right in the world - hence the choice of name for the top car in their range - "it will never let you down".

[@kellybrickey4300]

Thanks for that. Great story!

[@grantchallinor5263]

Seeing how good that Datsun is, how well it drives and was put together, then comparing it to British-made cars of the same era - you can sort of understand how/why the Japanese cars virtually killed-off our car industry.

[@seed_drill7135]

My dad's first new car was a 1970 Datsun 510. A great handling, fun, little car, but the sheet metal was recycled tin and it was beginning to rot out by '74 when he sold it. Our next two cars were American, but the '78 Volare wagon was so terrible he replaced it with an excellent 1980 Dodge Colt (Mitsubishi) wagon.

[@saddoncarrs6963]

I think the likes of Toyota and Nissan would have killed off the British volume car industry much sooner had it not been for the, still raw, memories of WW2 in the 1970s. My own personal views on Japanese cars were poisoned by my father who served in the Royal Navy in the 1940s. I spent many hours under the bonnet of an Austin Cambridge when my friends were enjoying driving around in their Sunnys and Corollas. My father has since sadly passed on - I now drive a Toyota Avensis. My guilt is eased by the fact that it was assembled in Derbyshire.

[@herrgolf]

The forcing of the plaza accords on Japan distorted Japan’s economy and has resulted in the very real decline in Japanese industrial leadership. Name a single class leader from a Japanese car manufacturer...

[@grantchallinor5263]

@@herrgolf The original post was about cars "of a certain age" but class leaders from Japanese manufacturers: Toyota Land Cruiser for starters.... The thing is though, Japanese cars (what ever their merits or otherwise) are just the best made cars. I live in a country where even the best vehicles from Germany are considered likely to fall-apart, when Japan's products just don't.

[@seed_drill7135]

@@saddoncarrs6963 My grandfather served in the Pacific. He wouldn't buy anything Japanese. I'm sure he gave his brother hell when he bought a '76 Toyota Corona. My great uncle drove that car over 15 years.

[@coopdivi]

My parents had a Nissan Cedric in the UK in the 1970s. I *think* it was similar to the model in the video (I was in Australia, so I never got to see it). They loved it for its comfort, quietness and smooth power. The only thing wrong with it, Dad said, was that the instrument lighting was very dim, even when it was brand new and turned up to maximum. After some years of ownership, Dad took it in for its regular servicing and asked the mechanic to look at the dash lighting. A few minutes later, the mechanic said, "Here's your problem!", and handed Dad a piece of cardboard which had been covering up the panel bulbs. Evidently, the cardboard had been there ever since the car left the factory. Dad had no complaints about the dim lighting after that.

[@Flying_GC]

Loving the classic Japanese reviews particularly the Nissan stuff. Fantastic

[@DavidWilliams-nb4eh]

Me too Gary...i hate all the french stuff ....but japanese cars are very good.

[@Equiluxe1]

I worked for a short time in a garage that had just taken on a datsun franchise in 1971 - 1972. The Japanese at that time were going around collecting British made bumpers and other chrome in order to find out why the British chrome plating lasted better than the Japanese which would often rust through/bubble inside a year. The answer of course was pre treatment of the steel and copper plaing the steel first, the Japanese were putting chrome straight onto the steel.

[@robertngreen6]

What a superb car of it's era and in such lovely condition. Truly a joyous experience for you to drive this one. Forever to be referred to now as the Doily Datsun!

[@Mal_Outdoors]

That was a SMOOOOOOOTH ride! Thank you for letting us sit in the passenger seat for a briliant demonstration. Why am i rivetted watching these reviews?😃

[@philpaxton2078]

The wheel trims so remind me of Dennis Weaver's car of choice in Duel.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Phil Paxton A Plymouth Valiant with the venerable slant six.

[@nigelcharlton-wright1747]

@@jamesfrench7299 Classic film… Old Weaver got up 60mph in his car, he never went that fast before. Must check me hoses and coolant. Not that petrol tanker again…

[@CRUISOMATIC]

@Phil Paxton Definitely. Overall, this car has a very Valiant-/Dartish character, I must say!

[@shaunw9270]

Lovely Datsun , such beautiful condition . Thanks Ian, for sharing another excellent car with us 👍

[@khylerin70]

I love those old datsuns. It's great that there's still nice one's around. Nice car, and a credit to it's owner. 👍

[@RichieRouge206]

And funny seeing you in Longbridge one minute and back in Holland the next!

[@Luckyjo21]

he gets about very fast ;)

[@millomweb]

Not just Doctor Who with a Tardis.

[@Charlie_Crown]

Lovely car, sure the owner is very proud of it, well looked after and a reminder of how good Datsun/Nissan used to be

[@davidbrown6227]

Lovely Datsun. Love the styling of the era 👍

[@robertbransby]

What a gorgeous old car

[@vangestelwijnen]

A beauty she is! Not newly delivered in Holland, but imported in 2002. 'AL' on the number plate refers to import of a classic car. Believe it is ex-Belgian.

[@929V6]

If I remember correctly it was imported from Switzerland.

[@vangestelwijnen]

@@929V6 Maybe you are right. I looked at the manuals and saw them in Dutch and French. But you can buy them through marketplace etc afterwards.

[@johnnorth9355]

Bliss. Two cars called Cedric in a month. All is well. Six cylinder in line is nirvana - though I may be biased.

[@nissanman5738]

Thank you Ian another great video of a beautiful car .👍

[@gord307]

Beautiful car! It has several things modern cars don't - excellent visibility, beautiful interior, stunning exterior, comfortable ride, and an engine the correct way round driving the rear wheels. I want one!

[@landsnailproject2875]

Not so much 'doilies', but antimacassars. ( Just like great Gran used to put on her settee in the 'Front Room.') Such a quaint touch. Lovely car though. Thanks Ian.

[@max79444]

I remember being a passenger in a Laurel 6 in about 1981. A massive car and probably a descendant of this model

[@49commander]

Exactly most of us never drive on a race track everyday. In the USA we drive on rough potholed roads.

[@iana6713]

What a glorious car! And to think what Leyland was making at the time, for example. Now we can see why the Japanese motor industry got where it is today.

[@AllThingsAlex]

Quality motor. Great looks and what an interior!. Lovely review as always Ian!

[@zola561]

Lovely driving car and very comfy

[@DavidWilliams-nb4eh]

Now THAT is a nice car Ian...i approve of this one...i'm sure you're very much relieved ;)

[@andysaunders3708]

My last one was a mid-'90's model, and then I think they went V6. L-series Nissan engines are superb for their time.

[@RoyCousins]

Doily? Antimacassar, surely.

[@nagaraworkshop]

Was about to say the same thing!

[@AaronSmart.online]

I also wanted to say the same thing but couldn't remember the correct name...

[@richdelgado3405]

Glad to see there are more than a few people who know the word "antimacassar"!

[@kroneditor9266]

Hubnut isn't as refined as what we is obviously!

[@northdevonwildlifewithandy788]

That’s my kind of silent, wafting car. Lovely.

[@grayfool]

Another good one. Always good to see stuff we didn't get in the UK or that we have simply forgotten about. Very cool. Thanks

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I like your comment about modern cars more suited for the Nurburgring. I agree. It is not what most people want. But it is what most car journalists want. That is why.

[@bobmirdiff2043]

BOSTIN! Dad bought a Ford Popular POS (Pre-Anglia) in 1963! - It lasted until 1965! My late mother made "Lace Antimacassars" to fit on the seats! - The interior of the car then looked like a Wolverhampton Front Room! The 'Straight Six' has always been the 'Smoothest Combination!

[@donsolaris8477]

There were a few of these in our town in Greece early 70's and they were taxis. Looked super modern. Pure luxury back then...

[@dynamicscreen358]

Ian that is a lovely lovely car, ahead of its time compared to uk, dont know why we dont get cars now that woft, i will see you in a future video.......ptshoooooooo

[@michaeld7409]

I remember seeing this exact model in Greece, in the mid eighties. I love the design of 70s Japanese cars. Greece once was a good area to search for Japanese classic cars, many Wankel Mazdas could be spotted there.

[@frothe42]

No, we never had for sale in the US the Cedric. The 810 around 1978 was sold here, with that six cylinder engine. The taillights reminded me, as you stated, of the 510 which was sold here. I'm very impressed! But I must say, it might have been because of you that I could spot a Nissan Figaro, which had me going bonkers! Only in the UK 🇬🇧 and EU 🇪🇺 would you have such interesting vehicles!

[@sg8539]

Lovely classic car and nice to see close up, easy to maintain and service for the enthusiast at home with all that space in the engine bay. Thanks Ian, great video.

[@niklaswejedal463]

Hoorah - another old Japanese car I never have seen before and didn't know much about: new knowledge acquired!

[@micheltebraake7915]

Beautiful car, beautiful piece of history.

[@SvenQ45]

Yeah. There it is. Waited for that since I saw the other Cedric video.

[@lipsee100]

Do,nt you wish we still had quarter lights!!!

[@iangrice329]

They were great if you smoked.

[@lipsee100]

@@iangrice329 Actually I do,nt smoke,,but really liked for ventilation...

[@iangrice329]

@@lipsee100 yes ventilation without drafts, when i smoked, you just cracked the quarter light and the smoke was instantly drawn out, and a flick in its general direction got rid of the ash. Also there was no danger of a lit cigarette coming back into the car if dropped out the quater light. On the down side they could leak, and were very easily to open from outside.

[@VeyronBD]

Yeah, much nicer than having the blowing sound of a cracked open window

[@androo4519]

Your big trip is the gift that keeps on giving! These old Japanese cars are turning out to be much nicer than the motoring press of the 1970s would have you believe. I saw a Datsun 120Y Coupé at a show recently and thought it was really stylish and interesting. More classic Japanese cars please! I'm sure New Zealand will be a rich stomping ground for this sort of thing.

[@Nemesisrooster]

Great review, those buttons on the rear of the center console will probably be for the rear seat passengers to tune the radio. I had a Datsun 240c that had the same thing.

[@MrTumshie]

That's a surprisingly handsome car! I've never paid too much attention to Japanese cars, perhaps I should do.

[@markavramovic111]

Beautiful car Iwan. Hello from Australia!

[@gryfandjane]

Quite a handsome design, to these eyes, clearly showing a huge US influence. What a delightful car!

[@kevinwhelan8126]

Good call re the tractor. Once again great watch Ian many thanks, lovely car. Local roads in Holland ain’t built for fast driving!

[@tw2210]

What a nice car and a great review. Enjoyed this far more than expected, even though I always love Hubnut videos as it is.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Looks to be the same 2.4 OHC six used in the 240K mid size sedan here in Australia in the mid 70s. I travelled in a 1976 one on a long trip in the early 1990s and it's engine was so refined!! Nissan Australia assembled a Skyline in the early 80s with an EFI version of this fine power plant.

[@mattwalker4034]

Nice car! Love the American styled hubcaps, load of cars had a similar style after market set in the 70's. Datsuns, Fords Vauxhall's etc. Think they were Brown & Geesons, don't quote me on that though.

[@twoeightythreez]

Lol the entire car is American styled. It looks almost identical to a Rambler.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

I assumed the name Datsun was coined when there was an explosion at the Nissan factory and it was raining Datsun cogs.

[@Charlie_Crown]

😅😅👍

[@neilforbes416]

@Al Kaput: Oh really! LOL

[@garynew9637]

Haha

[@martintaper7997]

Not bad, not bad at all.

[@RexWaldron]

A wonderful car and I love those epic wheel trims! :)

[@qutaiba6]

I love old Datsun

[@davidfotheringham2480]

Sold in Australia in reasonable numbers in the day, bit of a luxury car along with Toyota Crowns.. certainly a first class offering and a great example of razor edge styling...a friends family drove theirs to Ayers Rock in central Australia in 1970...a round trip of 3,000 km on grossly corrugated dirt that could just about break a car in half.... it was totally fine.

[@johnmiller9024]

1970 was the last year for this generation. 1971 saw a total redesign and it became a twin to the Gloria. The 1971 Cedric and Gloria became known colloquially as CedGlo

[@JS-1983]

Lovely car, comfy, smooth engine and great styling, always liked the look of Cedrics, Laurels, Bluebirds and Toyota Crowns also. Dad had In the 90's an 1985 Cedric (y30) 280 sgl diesel, that was also nice car.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

The Nissan OHC six was a copy of the Mercedes Pagoda engine

[@kimkiriniki9433]

Aah..The Datsun super six A legend. We endured decades of British built conveyances in Africa..they served their purpose but the arrival of Japanese vehicles was quite a revelation.

[@mendhamsmusicmoviesmovemen8075]

Like that. Never seen one before. The dash remindes me of the Vauxhall Victor 101 Estate dad had in the late 70's when we were teenagers.

[@kevinkeeney6693]

My cat woke up when you mimicked the transmission noise at 13:58. She thought another cat entered the room. Anyway, great video and an unique, nice car.

[@andysaunders3708]

Sold later, in NZ, at least, as the Nissan Laurel. Nice car, smooth, no ball of fire.

[@HubNut]

Laurel was actually a separate range to the Cedric (later 280C or 300C). Slightly smaller but only slightly.

[@e575fho]

Some very relaxed indication going on!

[@stevek548]

Really nice styling, interesting interior - 7 stars. Doilies on the seats - half a star.

[@gary1705]

I am not a speedster and do most of my driving on straight roads and this car even given it's age would do me just fine. .What an absolutely beautiful car i would own one of these in a heart beat.I so much agree with your statement about preferring a lounge barge ride compared to sporty ride that is as all thats available today unless you have the funds to buy a Rolls or Bentley of course .That car is a true limousine very similar to the Toyota Crowns of the 80's👍🙋‍♂️👉🇦🇺 and i would much prefer to drive that than anything on offer today👍

[@CaptHollister]

Some styling cues inside and out are reminiscent of dad's 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle and, of course, the fuel filler behind the license plate was a standard feature of American cars of the time.

[@user-ow7cb7yn1u]

あまりにもきれいな1台です感動しました大切に乗ってください

[@tonycox5625]

Another great vid Ian and a lovely looking car ☺

[@trabali5168]

Love the word Datsun, it sounds like it doesnt mess around, better than nissan. By 1970 europe and america stated taking notice at what japan was doing.

[@thibaudvissouarn127]

It would be interesting to see sales numbers of Japanese manufacturers in Europe in the 70's. When I watch this I'm wondering who would buy these cars new back in the day. These guys were true visionaries when you see what's happening today =) Fantastic cars, great styling, especially the rear lights !

[@steverandall5814]

Reminds me of American cars of the same era, sans the V-8 engine. Soft ride, light steering and brakes and a wide horizontal speedometer.

[@rydermike33]

Splendid motor car, very nice indeed. A friend drove me to Santa-Pod many years ago in a big Datsun, think it was a 2000c, not sure, but it was a magnificent car.

[@billywhizz98]

A beauty of a car

[@captaccordion]

Hi Hubnut. Nice car and another one new to me too. KZbin has a newish trick where if you are scrolling videos and rest on one without opening it, it will play the video silently but with subtitles, which are well worth a look just for a laugh. This time KZbin has had you talking about pillarless couples and wife blades!

[@piperdoug428]

Yeah looks like a Coronet and also looks of a mk2 cortina.

[@rskb1957]

Your could always tell cars owned by Japanese executives stationed in Australia even into the 80's because they always had those antimacassars on the seats. I remember seeing this model and the earlier model one you showed from new on the roads in Australia. They sold moderately well although people tended to think there was just a little too much chrome on them. They were always much better equipped than the Fords and Holdens of the same period,

[@neilforbes416]

1970 Back in the day when just about all controls for devices were on the dashboard console, including ignition key. Nissan marketed their cars as Datsun here in Australia as well, from the 1965 "Bluebird" through the 180B, 120Y(yeah, I'd like to know 'Y'[why] LOL) and, I think the last to carry the Datsun badge here was the 200B. Interesting, a Left-Hand-Drive car, that would've been a fun drive! The speedo was Metric, 100Km/h is a touch over 60 MPH and 50Km/h is a touch over 30MPH. We've had metric measurement in Australia for over 40 years, and I think we've just about got the hang of it.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Lovely Luxo-sedan with well diffused tail lights (my favourite). Sold in Aus too. Cedric name dropped here too. Cheers

[@dazcanny]

beautiful car great video

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Ian,nice review on this Cedric,it's a nice car in the white paint.

[@ook2763]

When I look at the license plate on this car and what you showed me about this first-aid kit I am pretty sure this care originally was sold in Belgium. The first-aid kit is in 2 languages (Dutch and French) and mentions the name of a company in Liege/Luik, which is in the Wallon part of Belgium. The license plate combination suggests that this car has been imported as an oldy, since that licecense plate combination used to be reserved for imported older cars only.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Thought I would check out the Cedric on Wikipedia and saw the same car.

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

I like your Nurburgring comments. I like the place, yet you're right - we do not drive round the Nurburgring on a daily basis, comfort is much more important than a fast lap time...

[@Lobo-ih3bh]

Gorgeous!

[@robertodaggis7244]

A proper retro ride. Nice wheels.

[@rossarmstrong6731]

I love the Dutch. They always seem to keep hold of their classic cars. We seem to want to legislate them off the road.

[@superseven220]

As cars over 40 years old need neither tax nor MOT if anything the UK government is encouraging classic car ownership so I don't know where you get the idea that they're trying to legislate them off the road, maybe you could accuse Sadiq Khan of that in London with the ULEZ but that is in the power of the London mayor not the government

[@grenvillephillips6998]

Magnificent! Cedric seems to confirm the prejudice that Nissan never quite grasped the UK's sensibility when it came to nomenclature.

[@user-mc3dx5mc3z]

ダットサンセドリックスーパー６は、日産セドリックスペシャル６の海外版で元々１３０型でした！

[@RichieRouge206]

Great video and road test! Lovely car and dig the antimacassas

[@patrickh7368]

Wow, watching this fabulous video, all design features reminds me of my FD Victor (1st car) at the front and under the bonnet (Ventura having similar 6 cylinder) and rear end like the 101 victor 😊

[@LynRees]

You're making me think of our old 1979 Datsun Laurel. Hard to beat a straight 6.

[@simonsummers9194]

Beautiful just beautiful, I want very much 😍

[@bombakdik]

Indeed I see what you mean that it makes you think of a Triumph. Oh yes please review a Dolomite Sprint, Herald,, Marina coupe, GT6 or TR5. Such lovely cars! Lovely smoothness of an inline 6 in that Cedric!

[@stevelarkin3285]

Great video

[@mattw8332]

It does have a bit of that Michelotti influence in the styling, I think it's very reminiscent of the BMWs of that era. Lovely looking car.

[@garynew9637]

Had a 71 240c station wagon, lovely sled!

[@maxgreece1]

I'd never even heard of the Cedric prior to the previous video - now you're covering the model range history....learn something new every day huh.

[@d2factotum]

That thing about the ride...am I the only person who looks at the huge wheels and tyres they put on modern luxury cars and immediately think "Unsprung weight"?

[@caroldave4037]

Never mind luxury cars I've two mk3 lagunas one normal size wheels tother more sporty big wheel and it will not take much thought as to which is best ride...!!!!!handling above comfort nowadays...cheers from dave

[@laurieharper1526]

Yes. Having said that, the fact that they mainly fit lighter alloys, with larger diameter tyres does help to keep it down.

[@timfordfalconxf7714]

It's funny am 22, Yet i LOVE classic cars, I will watch this over the WRX and all the new stuff ( ok new cars are ok ) As long as there NOT driverless.

[@MegaBreadvan]

Amazingly quiet. Am impressed. Yes for us Brits the name "Cedric" does sound a bit silly. If you know All Creatures Great & Small, there was a story about Cedric the f**ting Boxer dog... Sorry, my weird sense of humour... :)

[@AliMackMechanical]

Excellent video great car mate 👍👍

[@geraldmellon740]

What a beautiful car Ian - thank you for the chance of seeing it. It’s easy to see the American touches, it looks like a scaled-down version of a US car, but still looks totally Japanese. Even the Datsun badges and super six badges show the quirks of the Japanese makers.