Datsun Cherry: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Datsun Cherry catalogue contains two Coupe generations produced from 1970 to 1978. The first generation, offered from 1970 to 1974, gives buyers a choice between the 1.0 MT and 1.2 MT. The second generation, produced from 1974 to 1978, is available only as the 1.2 MT.
The Datsun Cherry catalogue contains two Coupe generations produced from 1970 to 1978. The first generation, offered from 1970 to 1974, gives buyers a choice between the 1.0 MT and 1.2 MT. The second generation, produced from 1974 to 1978, is available only as the 1.2 MT. The key buying decision is therefore straightforward: choose the first-generation 1.0 MT for the lightest specification, the first-generation 1.2 MT for the best power-to-weight ratio, or the second-generation 1.2 MT if you want the later generation and accept its additional weight. Price data is not measured, so the extra money required for any version—and whether that premium is justified—cannot be quantified.
Datsun Cherry generations compared
The first-generation Datsun Cherry ran from 1970 to 1974 as a Coupe with two versions. Its 1.0 MT and 1.2 MT both have Gasoline engines, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, FWD, independent spring suspension at both ends, front Disc brakes, rear Drum brakes, a kerb weight of 670 kg, and 152 mm of ground clearance. The choice within this generation is primarily about the engine: the 1.2 MT produces 70 hp and 95 Nm, compared with 62 hp and 83 Nm for the 1.0 MT.
The second-generation Datsun Cherry ran from 1974 to 1978 as a Coupe with one version, the 1.2 MT. Its engine output, torque, transmission, drive, suspension, and 152 mm ground clearance match the first-generation 1.2 MT, but its kerb weight rises from 670 kg to 755 kg. The braking specification also changes: the second-generation 1.2 MT has Drum brakes at both the front and rear, whereas the first-generation 1.2 MT has front Disc and rear Drum brakes. No other change should be inferred from the available data.
Datsun Cherry engine and specs
| Generation and version | Displacement | Power | Torque | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–1974 1.0 MT | 988 cc | 62 hp (46 kW) at 6000 rpm | 83 Nm; rpm not measured | Gasoline | 4, Inline; 2 valves per cylinder | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1970–1974 1.2 MT | 1171 cc | 70 hp (51 kW); rpm not measured | 95 Nm; rpm not measured | Gasoline | 4, Inline; 2 valves per cylinder | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1974–1978 1.2 MT | 1171 cc | 70 hp (51 kW); rpm not measured | 95 Nm; rpm not measured | Gasoline | 4, Inline; 2 valves per cylinder | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
All three specifications use a Carburetor and have a compression ratio of 8.5. The 1.0 MT has a 73 × 59 bore-and-stroke specification, while both 1.2 MT versions use 73 × 70. The listed versions have no boost, so no Datsun Cherry turbo specification is represented in this data.
The 1.2 MT has 183 cc more displacement than the 1.0 MT, accompanied by gains of 8 hp and 12 Nm. Calculated from the catalogue figures, the 1.0 MT produces about 62.8 hp per litre, while the 1.2 MT produces about 59.8 hp per litre. The smaller engine therefore has the higher specific output, but the 1.2 MT supplies more total power and torque.
Datsun Cherry performance and mpg
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for the first-generation 1.0 MT, first-generation 1.2 MT, or second-generation 1.2 MT. Top speed is also not measured for all three versions.
City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for every version. Consequently, no supported mpg comparison can be made between the 1.0 MT and 1.2 MT, or between the two generations. Fuel specification beyond the recorded Gasoline engine type is not measured. CO₂ output and emissions class are not measured as well.
Weight-to-power calculations provide the only numerical indication of how their power and mass compare, but they are not substitutes for measured acceleration. The first-generation 1.2 MT carries about 9.6 kg per hp, compared with about 10.8 kg per hp for the first-generation 1.0 MT. On these figures, the first-generation 1.2 MT has the strongest power-to-weight ratio.
The second-generation 1.2 MT carries about 10.8 kg per hp. Although it has the same 70 hp and 95 Nm as the earlier 1.2 MT, it is 85 kg heavier, an increase of about 12.7%. Its weight-to-power figure is therefore about 1.2 kg per hp higher than that of the first-generation 1.2 MT.
Datsun Cherry dimensions and weight
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–1974 1.0 MT | 670 kg | not measured | 152 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1970–1974 1.2 MT | 670 kg | not measured | 152 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1974–1978 1.2 MT | 755 kg | not measured | 152 mm | not measured | not measured |
The first-generation 1.0 MT and 1.2 MT weigh the same, so selecting the larger engine adds 8 hp and 12 Nm without adding kerb weight in the recorded specifications. The second-generation 1.2 MT adds 85 kg over either first-generation version while retaining the same 152 mm ground clearance. Gross weight, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for any version.
Both generations have Independent, spring front and rear suspension. The first-generation 1.0 MT and 1.2 MT combine front Disc brakes with rear Drum brakes. The second-generation 1.2 MT uses front Drum and rear Drum brakes.
Which Datsun Cherry version should you choose?
For the strongest catalogue-based power-to-weight result, choose the 1970–1974 1.2 MT. It provides 70 hp and 95 Nm at the same 670 kg kerb weight as the 62 hp, 83 Nm 1.0 MT. This gives the first-generation 1.2 MT an advantage of 8 hp and 12 Nm with no recorded weight penalty. It also has front Disc brakes, unlike the later 1.2 MT, which has front Drum brakes.
Choose the 1970–1974 1.0 MT if the 988 cc engine is the specification you prefer. It is 183 cc smaller and produces 8 hp and 12 Nm less than the 1.2 MT, although its calculated output per litre is about 3.0 hp higher. Its 670 kg kerb weight makes it 85 kg lighter than the second-generation car. Fuel-economy savings cannot be promised because city, highway, and combined consumption are not measured.
Choose the 1974–1978 1.2 MT specifically if owning the second generation matters more than achieving the best weight-to-power figure. It retains the 1171 cc Gasoline engine, 70 hp, 95 Nm, 4-speed Manual gearbox, FWD, and 152 mm clearance of the earlier 1.2 MT, but weighs 755 kg rather than 670 kg and uses front Drum rather than front Disc brakes.
On the available numbers alone, the first-generation 1.2 MT is the clearest all-round choice: it combines the highest listed power and torque with the lowest weight shared by the first-generation versions. The 1.0 MT is the alternative for buyers specifically seeking the smaller engine, while the second-generation 1.2 MT is a generation-led choice rather than a numerical performance-led one. Price, reliability, condition, repair history, parts availability, engine-swap suitability, and current sale listings are not measured, so none should be used to rank these versions from this catalogue data.