Rare Car Archive

Makes › Datsun Japan › Type 11 (Model 10) · Rare production · 1931 Ultra Rare

Datsun
Type 11 (Model 10)

The original 1931 Datsun Model 10, of which about ten were built in its first year.

Datsun Type 11 (Model 10) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Datsun Type 11 (Model 10) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: HKT3012 · CC BY-SA 4.0
10BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
10 Built
Years
1931
Engine
4-cylinder, side valve · 495 cc / 0.5 LFactory: 495 cc
Power
7.35 kW / 10 PSFactory: 10 PS
Top speed
56.3 km/hFactory: 35 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 1932 Datsun 11 was the first car to carry the Datsun name. A surviving 1932 Model 11 Phaeton is described as the oldest Datsun still in existence. It was a small car suited to Japanese roads.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 10 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionapproximate number of Model 10 cars produced in 1931, the first year on sale 101 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The Model 10 reached the market in 1931 and about ten were built that year. It became the Model 11 in 1932, of which about 150 were built. In 1933 Japanese law raised the displacement limit and engines grew to 750 cc. The Model 11 Phaeton is the oldest surviving Datsun.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Type 11 (Model 10).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeDAT2 Independently researched
Layout4-cylinder, side valve2 Independently researched
Displacement 495 cc / 0.5 LFactory: 495 cc3 Independently researched
Bore 54 mmFactory: 54 mm2 Independently researched
Stroke 54 mmFactory: 54 mm2 Independently researched
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Valvetrainside valve2 Independently researched
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 7.35 kW / 10 PSFactory: 10 PS3 Independently researched
Power at 3,700 rpm3 Independently researched
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox3-speed, floor change2 Independently researched
Gears32 Independently researched
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 1,880 mmFactory: 1,880 mm2,4 Independently researched
Length 2,710 mmFactory: 2,710 mm2,4 Independently researched
Width 1,175 mmFactory: 1,175 mm2,4 Independently researched
HeightNot yet verified
Front track 965 mmFactory: 965 mm4 Independently researchedJSAE spec of the surviving 1932 Model 11 Phaeton (747 cc); not confirmed for the 495 cc car.
Rear track 965 mmFactory: 965 mm4 Independently researchedJSAE spec of the surviving 1932 Model 11 Phaeton (747 cc); not confirmed for the 495 cc car.
Kerb weight 400 kgFactory: 400 kg2,4 Independently researchedWeight basis not stated in either source.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 56.3 km/hFactory: 35 mph · converted5 Independently researchedMotorsnippets describes the 495cc Datsun; level D.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Vertical slots on the bonnet, where the Model 10 had horizontal ones. The grille carries the newly designed Datsun badge, which the Model 10 lacks. The engine is the DAT side-valve four.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Datsun Model 11 Phaeton (240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology) Level B
    • 10 approximate number of Model 10 cars produced in 1931, the first year on sale
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    1932 Datsun 11 Model Level D earlydatsun.com · 2010-08-11
    • Model - DAT
    • Side Valve 4 Cylinder
    • Bore & Stroke 54x54mm
    • the 495cc 10hp DAT side valve engine
    • Transmission - Floor change
    • 3 speed
    • Wheelbase - 1880mm
    • Length - 2710mm
    • Width - 1175mm
    • Weight - 400kg
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    Datsun Model 11 Phaeton (240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology) Level B JSAE
    • Model 10 (495 cc, 10 ps/3700 rpm)
    • 10 ps/3700 rpm
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  4. 4
    240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology: Datsun Model 11 Phaeton Level C Japan Society of Automotive Engineers · 2016-03-03
    • Wheelbase
    • Overall length
    • Overall width
    • Front tread x rear tread
    • Vehicle weight
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  5. 5
    Datsun (Motorsnippets company history) Level D Motorsnippets · 2010-12-25
    • a top speed of 35mph
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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