Rare Rice burner has Stude styling cues

[Roscomacaw]

I'd never even heard of one of these, but there's MANY little details that look Stude-ish about it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-Prince-Skyline-1900-/290802391451?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43b52c599b

[BobPalma]

Agreed: 'Looks like a Hudson Jet and a Studebaker spent a few hours in a bar before leaving together, Bob. BP

[1962larksedan]

I never realized the (Datsun/Nissan) Prince was ever sold in the US market. Side note here: I believe that the Datsun B210 engine is the the same or at least a larger displacement version of the Prince's 4 cylinder so parts may be no issue.

[Stu Chapman]

Agreed: 'Looks like a Hudson Jet and a Studebaker spent a few hours in a bar before leaving together, Bob. BP

What a small world! There is a Studebaker connection. Bob...if you go to pages 61,62, 63 and 85 of my book, My Father The Car, you will find references and pictures regarding the proposed Studebaker/Prince relationship.
Stu Chapman

[studegary]

The seller is the big automotive literature dealer that is near Bob A. He sells a lot of Studebaker literature and used to advertise in TW.

I do not like eBay listings that are not an auction. EBAy is an auction company. Start an auction low and let the market determine what the current value is. The 2006 Avanti that is currently on eBay is similar. He has a BIN, no auction, and does not even have the "make an offer" option that this car listing has.

[studegary]

I never realized the (Datsun/Nissan) Prince was ever sold in the US market. Side note here: I believe that the Datsun B210 engine is the the same or at least a larger displacement version of the Prince's 4 cylinder so parts may be no issue.

This 1959 Prince was made by Fuji. The Prince wasn't merged with Datsun/Nissan until 1966.

[53k]

I never realized the (Datsun/Nissan) Prince was ever sold in the US market. Side note here: I believe that the Datsun B210 engine is the the same or at least a larger displacement version of the Prince's 4 cylinder so parts may be no issue.

They were sold in Hawaii. The Studebaker dealers in Honolulu and Hilo both took on Prince when Studebaker quit.

[1962larksedan]

This 1959 Prince was made by Fuji. The Prince wasn't merged with Datsun/Nissan until 1966.

I didn't know that Fuji owned Prince, I just thought they owned Subaru.

[Flashback]

Looks kinda like a minature 56 or 57, to me.

[dictator27]

Most Japanese automakers of that period borrowed from British car companies. This Prince does show some Studebaker influence, but the front end styling, particularly around the grille and front bumper and the high set taillights also shows some Hillman cues. The 1957 Hillman Minx was designed by Raymond Loewy and shows Studebaker influence.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andymurkin/Hillman/Hillinfo/SeriesMinx.html

Terry

[wittsend]

What amazes me is that he found a second car from which to draw spare parts! The Datsun engine I am told was derived from the British Austin engine. With the British presence in pre-war Asia I can see the carryover.
Tom

[dictator27]

What amazes me is that he found a second car from which to draw spare parts! The Datsun engine I am told was derived from the British Austin engine. With the British presence in pre-war Asia I can see the carryover.
Tom

The early Datsun engines were Austin engines built under licence from Austin. Likewise, the early Isuzu engines were Rootes Group derived. Not only did they look like the British units, they sounded like them, including the transmission gear whine.

Terry

[warrlaw1]

I was in Japan in '81 and these were all over. No synchro, though. At a stoplight, as a courtesy, everyone would turn their headlights off and sit with parking lights until a green. Then they all turned on their headlights, and GROUND into first. I thought is was hilarious, so I waited for another light, then another....repeat performances every light. That was entertainment!

[8E45E]

I never realized the (Datsun/Nissan) Prince was ever sold in the US market. Side note here: I believe that the Datsun B210 engine is the the same or at least a larger displacement version of the Prince's 4 cylinder so parts may be no issue.

A lot of ex-Studebaker dealers took on the Datsun franchise, including the one in Calgary and in Lethbridge. Here is a Datsun 'rice burner'; the twin-carb "SSS".







Craig

[StudeDave57]

Looks kinda like a minature 56 or 57, to me.

I sorta see a '56 Stude in the front- but the rest- not so much.

The seller is the big automotive literature dealer that is near Bob A. He sells a lot of Studebaker literature and used to advertise in TW.

Time for a show of hands-- who has NOT bought something from this seller?

A lot of ex-Studebaker dealers took on the Datsun franchise, including the one in Calgary and in Lethbridge. Here is a Datsun 'rice burner'; the twin-carb "SSS". Craig

Dig the snow tires and the block heater plug...
that car means BUSINESS come Winter time!!!