Datsun Cherry & Sunny

Datsun Cherry and Sunny

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Datsun Cherry 100A
Engine: Datsun 1298cc
Configuration: front engine, front-wheel drive
Driver: Paul Hutson
Class: Special Saloons 1001 to 1300
Taken: Chicane, Croft (left)
Taken: Mountain, Cadwell Park (right)
Image Copyright: Colin Stubbs (right)
Paul drove this unusual machine for his local Datsun dealer, he later moved to single seaters, driving a 1600cc Brabham in Formula Libre

Datsun Cherry 120A
Manufactured: 1974-78
Engine: Janspeed Datsun 1298cc
Configuration: front engine, front-wheel drive
Driver: Martin Pearson
Class: Special Saloons 1001 to 1300
Date taken: May 1978 at Chicane, Croft
Slightly bigger than a Mini, the Datsun Cherry was one of the most popular Japanese road cars of the time but very few were used in Britain for racing up until the 1970s. This car had a Janspeed tuned Datsun all-steel engine producing 130+bhp at the flywheel, its steel crankshaft allowing it to rotate 9000rpm. The engine, although the same as the one used earlier in Martin's Datsun Sunny, was mounted transversely on top of a straight cut, close ratio gearbox which also contained a limited slip differential. A duel braking system was used which had 4-pot calipers and ventilated discs. A fully adjustable, fully rose jointed suspension provided excellent handling. Despite having to compete against hybrid silhouette cars, the consistency and reliability of this ‘tuned road car’ brought Martin 23 podium finishes from 28 races, 1st in class in the Alan Pond Championship and 2nd in class in the Forward Trust championship in 1977.

Datsun Sunny 120A
Manufactured: 1974-78
Engine: Janspeed Datsun 1298cc
Configuration: front engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: Martin Pearson
Class: Special Saloons 1001 to 1300
Date taken: May 1976
The Sunny was a Ford Escort sized car and weighed more than the Datsun Cherry which Martin Pearson later raced. Very few Special Saloons Sunnys were raced in the UK but they were popular and successful in Group Two races on the continent. Martin moved on the the similar engined and more agile Cherry later on. This car had a Janspeed tuned Datsun engine and would have been producing 130+bhp at the flywheel. An engine like this could be revving to 9000rpm if fitted with a steel crank. Suspension was similar to the Ford Escort of the time with McPherson struts at the front and a beam axle at the rear sprung by longitudinal leaf springs.

Main Menu Car List Driver List Saloon Menu Back Next	Datsun Cherry 100A Engine: Datsun 1298cc Configuration: front engine, front-wheel drive Driver: Paul Hutson Class: Special Saloons 1001 to 1300 Taken: Chicane, Croft (left) Taken: Mountain, Cadwell Park (right) Image Copyright: Colin Stubbs (right) Paul drove this unusual machine for his local Datsun dealer, he later moved to single seaters, driving a 1600cc Brabham in Formula Libre	Datsun Cherry 120A Manufactured: 1974-78 Engine: Janspeed Datsun 1298cc Configuration: front engine, front-wheel drive Driver: Martin Pearson Class: Special Saloons 1001 to 1300 Date taken: May 1978 at Chicane, Croft Slightly bigger than a Mini, the Datsun Cherry was one of the most popular Japanese road cars of the time but very few were used in Britain for racing up until the 1970s. This car had a Janspeed tuned Datsun all-steel engine producing 130+bhp at the flywheel, its steel crankshaft allowing it to rotate 9000rpm. The engine, although the same as the one used earlier in Martin's Datsun Sunny, was mounted transversely on top of a straight cut, close ratio gearbox which also contained a limited slip differential. A duel braking system was used which had 4-pot calipers and ventilated discs. A fully adjustable, fully rose jointed suspension provided excellent handling. Despite having to compete against hybrid silhouette cars, the consistency and reliability of this ‘tuned road car’ brought Martin 23 podium finishes from 28 races, 1st in class in the Alan Pond Championship and 2nd in class in the Forward Trust championship in 1977.
	Datsun Sunny 120A Manufactured: 1974-78 Engine: Janspeed Datsun 1298cc Configuration: front engine, rear-wheel drive Driver: Martin Pearson Class: Special Saloons 1001 to 1300 Date taken: May 1976 The Sunny was a Ford Escort sized car and weighed more than the Datsun Cherry which Martin Pearson later raced. Very few Special Saloons Sunnys were raced in the UK but they were popular and successful in Group Two races on the continent. Martin moved on the the similar engined and more agile Cherry later on. This car had a Janspeed tuned Datsun engine and would have been producing 130+bhp at the flywheel. An engine like this could be revving to 9000rpm if fitted with a steel crank. Suspension was similar to the Ford Escort of the time with McPherson struts at the front and a beam axle at the rear sprung by longitudinal leaf springs.