P410/P411 1300 (Mk2 Bluebird)

Japanese cars were maturing rapidly and the second generation Bluebird reflected this.

The P410 series was nearly two years old when it arrived here because Datsun waited for the larger engined P411 facelift. That was powered by a new 1.3-litre, J-series, OHV, four-cylinder engine mated to a three-speed manual gearbox.

Hence the Bluebird badge-replacing 1300 tag, although some people referred to it as the “Banana Bender” because of its concave-like Pininfarina-penned profile.

Its main drawcards were durability and equipment levels. Two versions were initially sold here in four-door sedan and wagon Standard and Deluxe models.

There was a new grille and tail-lights in July ’66, along with the luxurious Super Deluxe and flagship R411 SSS (“Super Sports Sedan” with the Fairlady convertible-derived 1.6-litre OHV engine, a four-speed manual gearbox and extra instrumentation).

New government local content requirements forced Datsun in Japan to take control of the Australian distribution of its cars in late 1966, with manufacturing of the 1300 starting in Sydney.