Austin by Nissan

[HaraRyoichi]

Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the early 1950's, owning an automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest people can afford and, I as a school boy would look up with envy a smooth and shiny Austin Somerset which stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally consisted of a few European and American cars plus truly miserable Japanese variety with hand bashed bodies. For several years since Japan's surrender in 1945, the Allied Occupation Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) prohibited the Japanese to build passenger cars. They also forbade the production of samurai revenge movies, probably to insure there should be no stimulant for dark designs against the Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, Japanese auto-makers except Toyota scrambled to obtain knock-down-and-assemble deals with European auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to fill the gaps. So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin turned British Motor Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and funny moves around the planning of MGA and Healey took place) to "assemble and market knocked down Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, by Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 No.11, August 1994". BTW, this issue also features an 8-page spread on MG-TC. All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built 21,859 A40 Somerset and A50 Cambridge saloons". Now, this is a rather fat number considering the times. The total number of TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. I have no intention of stirring up again of the Bishop Cam vs Datsun steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., but it seems to me that if some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as the "residual" or as a result of the legitimate technical inplantation between the two then there may be more chance of finding wider range of compatible parts, which can work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box might fit in place and give peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty word after all. And what about my steering? Well, I think I can manage "as is" with the Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. Driving a TC is much like sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No firm responce to steer by. You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often to keep you go straight. Nobody is perfect. Good Sailing, Rick Hara TC 6903

[wargs]

Rick, I have often heard tell that the Datsun 2000 engine was completely interchangeable with that of the MGA! In fact it is rumoured that several such powered MGA's were saved from the scrapheap here ( Vancouver) by this very expedient. David Lodge HaraRyoichi wrote:

>Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the early 1950's, owning an >automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest people can afford and, I as a >school boy would look up with envy a smooth and shiny Austin Somerset which >stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally consisted of a few >European and American cars plus truly miserable Japanese variety with hand >bashed bodies. >For several years since Japan's surrender in 1945, the Allied Occupation >Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) prohibited the Japanese to build >passenger cars. They also forbade the production of samurai revenge movies, >probably to insure there should be no stimulant for dark designs against the >Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, Japanese auto-makers except >Toyota scrambled to obtain knock-down-and-assemble deals with European >auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to fill the gaps. > So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin turned British Motor >Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and funny moves around the >planning of MGA and Healey took place) to "assemble and market knocked down >Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". > Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, by >Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 No.11, August 1994". BTW, >this issue also features an 8-page spread on MG-TC. >All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built 21,859 A40 Somerset and A50 >Cambridge saloons". >Now, this is a rather fat number considering the times. The total number of >TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. >I have no intention of stirring up again of the Bishop Cam vs Datsun >steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., but it seems to me that if >some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as the "residual" or as a >result of the legitimate technical inplantation between the two then there >may be more chance of finding wider range of compatible parts, which can >work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box might fit in place and give >peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. >Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty word after all. > And what about my steering? Well, I think I can manage "as is" with the >Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. Driving a TC is much like >sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No firm responce to steer by. >You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often to keep you go straight. >Nobody is perfect. > >Good Sailing, >Rick Hara >TC 6903 > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >

[Bill Traill]

Back in about 1974 one of my co-workers was checking the radiator in his Datsun 2000 (originally named the "Fair Lady roadster"?). So I sauntered over...my eyes nearly fell out as I saw an MGB engine cast in aluminum! (maybe it was painted aluminum?). Sometime later I saw another Datsun with this same block but with overhead cam. A mechanic told me many of the Datsun 2000 engine internals would fit my MGB engine, and the rocker shaft would outlast the MG's 3 to 1! I never looked into these claims. Bill Traill DCO: TC#5221

> > So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin turned British Motor > Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and funny moves around the > planning of MGA and Healey took place) to "assemble and market > knocked down Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". > > Good Sailing, > Rick Hara > TC 6903

[Jeff & Merryl Redman]

G'day David, That's funny... I thought the Datto 2000 was an OHC engine. Must be a couple of mean MGA's running around over there. JR.

----- Original Message ----- From: "wargs" wargs@Mac.com> To: "HaraRyoichi" rhara@mub.biglobe.ne.jp> Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 4:58 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan > Rick, > I have often heard tell that the Datsun 2000 engine was completely > interchangeable with that of the MGA! In fact it is rumoured that > several such powered MGA's were saved from the scrapheap here ( > Vancouver) by this very expedient. > David Lodge > > HaraRyoichi wrote: > > >Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the early 1950's, owning an > >automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest people can afford and, I as a > >school boy would look up with envy a smooth and shiny Austin Somerset which > >stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally consisted of a few > >European and American cars plus truly miserable Japanese variety with hand > >bashed bodies. > >For several years since Japan's surrender in 1945, the Allied Occupation > >Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) prohibited the Japanese to build > >passenger cars. They also forbade the production of samurai revenge movies, > >probably to insure there should be no stimulant for dark designs against the > >Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, Japanese auto-makers except > >Toyota scrambled to obtain knock-down-and-assemble deals with European > >auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to fill the gaps. > > So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin turned British Motor > >Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and funny moves around the > >planning of MGA and Healey took place) to "assemble and market knocked down > >Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". > > Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, by > >Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 No.11, August 1994". BTW, > >this issue also features an 8-page spread on MG-TC. > >All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built 21,859 A40 Somerset and A50 > >Cambridge saloons". > >Now, this is a rather fat number considering the times. The total number of > >TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. > >I have no intention of stirring up again of the Bishop Cam vs Datsun > >steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., but it seems to me that if > >some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as the "residual" or as a > >result of the legitimate technical inplantation between the two then there > >may be more chance of finding wider range of compatible parts, which can > >work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box might fit in place and give > >peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. > >Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty word after all. > > And what about my steering? Well, I think I can manage "as is" with the > >Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. Driving a TC is much like > >sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No firm responce to steer by. > >You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often to keep you go straight. > >Nobody is perfect. > > > >Good Sailing, > >Rick Hara > >TC 6903 > > > > > > > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >

[wargs]

And a a very good day to you too, Jeff and Merryl, Then I'm afraid I've got my Datsun models confused. I confess to not being an expert on such things, although after reading all the steering box/brake drum threads hereabouts that might change! Jeff & Merryl Redman wrote:

G'day David, That's funny... I thought the Datto 2000 was an OHC engine. Must be a couple of mean MGA's running around over there. JR. ----- Original Message ----- From: "wargs" wargs@Mac.com To: "HaraRyoichi" rhara@mub.biglobe.ne.jp Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 4:58 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan Rick, I have often heard tell that the Datsun 2000 engine was completely interchangeable with that of the MGA! In fact it is rumoured that several such powered MGA's were saved from the scrapheap here ( Vancouver) by this very expedient. David Lodge HaraRyoichi wrote: Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the early 1950's, owning an automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest people can afford and, I

as a school boy would look up with envy a smooth and shiny Austin Somerset which stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally consisted of a few European and American cars plus truly miserable Japanese variety with hand bashed bodies. For several years since Japan's surrender in 1945, the Allied Occupation Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) prohibited the Japanese to build passenger cars. They also forbade the production of samurai revenge movies, probably to insure there should be no stimulant for dark designs against the Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, Japanese auto-makers except Toyota scrambled to obtain knock-down-and-assemble deals with European auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to fill the gaps. So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin turned British Motor Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and funny moves around the planning of MGA and Healey took place) to "assemble and market knocked down Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, by Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 No.11, August 1994". BTW, this issue also features an 8-page spread on MG-TC. All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built 21,859 A40 Somerset and A50 Cambridge saloons". Now, this is a rather fat number considering the times. The total number of TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. I have no intention of stirring up again of the Bishop Cam vs Datsun steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., but it seems to me that if some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as the "residual" or as a result of the legitimate technical inplantation between the two then there may be more chance of finding wider range of compatible parts, which can work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box might fit in place and give peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty word after all. And what about my steering? Well, I think I can manage "as is" with the Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. Driving a TC is much like sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No firm responce to steer by. You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often to keep you go straight. Nobody is perfect. Good Sailing, Rick Hara TC 6903 Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Chip Hellie]

Jeff, I too always thought Datsan 2000s were OHC along with the 1600. I know what we here in Oregon call a Datsan 1200 is a copy of the MGA engine. I have fitted the Datsan cyl. head and the oil pump into a MGA. It was cheaper and It seems the pump put out better pressure than the MG! Chip Hellie 46 TC 48 TC 58,59,60 MGA 54 XK120, 53 XK120 58 XK150 61 E OTS. 55 DB 2/4 61 DB4 46 1800 TRD 59 Cad Conv. 36 810 57 Ford Conv. 80 MGB 72 MGB MK1 Jag. --- Jeff & Merryl Redman redcigar@ozemail.com.au> wrote:

> G'day David, > > That's funny... I thought the Datto 2000 was an OHC > engine. Must be a > couple of mean MGA's running around over there. > > JR. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "wargs" wargs@Mac.com> > To: "HaraRyoichi" rhara@mub.biglobe.ne.jp> > Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 4:58 PM > Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan > > > > Rick, > > I have often heard tell that the Datsun 2000 > engine was completely > > interchangeable with that of the MGA! In fact it > is rumoured that > > several such powered MGA's were saved from the > scrapheap here ( > > Vancouver) by this very expedient. > > David Lodge > > > > HaraRyoichi wrote: > > > > >Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the > early 1950's, owning an > > >automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest > people can afford and, I > as a > > >school boy would look up with envy a smooth and > shiny Austin Somerset > which > > >stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally > consisted of a few > > >European and American cars plus truly miserable > Japanese variety with > hand > > >bashed bodies. > > >For several years since Japan's surrender in > 1945, the Allied Occupation > > >Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) > prohibited the Japanese to > build > > >passenger cars. They also forbade the production > of samurai revenge > movies, > > >probably to insure there should be no stimulant > for dark designs against > the > > >Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, > Japanese auto-makers except > > >Toyota scrambled to obtain > knock-down-and-assemble deals with European > > >auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to > fill the gaps. > > > So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin > turned British Motor > > >Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and > funny moves around the > > >planning of MGA and Healey took place) to > "assemble and market knocked > down > > >Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". > > > Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature > article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, > by > > >Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 > No.11, August 1994". BTW, > > >this issue also features an 8-page spread on > MG-TC. > > >All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built > 21,859 A40 Somerset and > A50 > > >Cambridge saloons". > > >Now, this is a rather fat number considering the > times. The total number > of > > >TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. > > >I have no intention of stirring up again of the > Bishop Cam vs Datsun > > >steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., > but it seems to me that if > > >some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as > the "residual" or as a > > >result of the legitimate technical inplantation > between the two then > there > > >may be more chance of finding wider range of > compatible parts, which can > > >work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box > might fit in place and give > > >peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. > > >Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty > word after all. > > > And what about my steering? Well, I think I can > manage "as is" with the > > >Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. > Driving a TC is much > like > > >sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No > firm responce to steer > by. > > >You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often > to keep you go straight. > > >Nobody is perfect. > > > > > >Good Sailing, > > >Rick Hara > > >TC 6903 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

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[Ray]

The 1200 and 1600 Datsun engines are copies of the B series BMC engines made in Japan when the Jap car industry was resurrected post war by the British. The MGA heads bolt on, with carbs and improve performance. The 2000's are OHC engines. Best Regards, Ray "Remember- It's the collision with the planet that counts!"

----- Original Message ----- From: "Chip Hellie" chiphelli@yahoo.com> To: "Jeff & Merryl Redman" redcigar@ozemail.com.au>; "wargs" wargs@Mac.com> Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, March 08, 2002 5:53 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan > Jeff, I too always thought Datsan 2000s were OHC along > with the 1600. I know what we here in Oregon call a > Datsan 1200 is a copy of the MGA engine. I have fitted > the Datsan cyl. head and the oil pump into a MGA. It > was cheaper and It seems the pump put out better > pressure than the MG! > Chip Hellie > 46 TC 48 TC 58,59,60 MGA 54 XK120, 53 XK120 58 XK150 > 61 E OTS. 55 DB 2/4 61 DB4 46 1800 TRD 59 Cad Conv. > 36 810 57 Ford Conv. 80 MGB 72 MGB MK1 Jag. > --- Jeff & Merryl Redman redcigar@ozemail.com.au> > wrote: > > G'day David, > > > > That's funny... I thought the Datto 2000 was an OHC > > engine. Must be a > > couple of mean MGA's running around over there. > > > > JR. > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "wargs" wargs@Mac.com> > > To: "HaraRyoichi" rhara@mub.biglobe.ne.jp> > > Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> > > Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 4:58 PM > > Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan > > > > > > > Rick, > > > I have often heard tell that the Datsun 2000 > > engine was completely > > > interchangeable with that of the MGA! In fact it > > is rumoured that > > > several such powered MGA's were saved from the > > scrapheap here ( > > > Vancouver) by this very expedient. > > > David Lodge > > > > > > HaraRyoichi wrote: > > > > > > >Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the > > early 1950's, owning an > > > >automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest > > people can afford and, I > > as a > > > >school boy would look up with envy a smooth and > > shiny Austin Somerset > > which > > > >stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally > > consisted of a few > > > >European and American cars plus truly miserable > > Japanese variety with > > hand > > > >bashed bodies. > > > >For several years since Japan's surrender in > > 1945, the Allied Occupation > > > >Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) > > prohibited the Japanese to > > build > > > >passenger cars. They also forbade the production > > of samurai revenge > > movies, > > > >probably to insure there should be no stimulant > > for dark designs against > > the > > > >Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, > > Japanese auto-makers except > > > >Toyota scrambled to obtain > > knock-down-and-assemble deals with European > > > >auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to > > fill the gaps. > > > > So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin > > turned British Motor > > > >Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and > > funny moves around the > > > >planning of MGA and Healey took place) to > > "assemble and market knocked > > down > > > >Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". > > > > Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature > > article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, > > by > > > >Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 > > No.11, August 1994". BTW, > > > >this issue also features an 8-page spread on > > MG-TC. > > > >All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built > > 21,859 A40 Somerset and > > A50 > > > >Cambridge saloons". > > > >Now, this is a rather fat number considering the > > times. The total number > > of > > > >TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. > > > >I have no intention of stirring up again of the > > Bishop Cam vs Datsun > > > >steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., > > but it seems to me that if > > > >some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as > > the "residual" or as a > > > >result of the legitimate technical inplantation > > between the two then > > there > > > >may be more chance of finding wider range of > > compatible parts, which can > > > >work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box > > might fit in place and give > > > >peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. > > > >Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty > > word after all. > > > > And what about my steering? Well, I think I can > > manage "as is" with the > > > >Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. > > Driving a TC is much > > like > > > >sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No > > firm responce to steer > > by. > > > >You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often > > to keep you go straight. > > > >Nobody is perfect. > > > > > > > >Good Sailing, > > > >Rick Hara > > > >TC 6903 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! > http://mail.yahoo.com/ > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >