Datsun Logo PNG
The Datsun logo is very futuristic. The emblem exudes fluidity, innovative materials, and fantastic possibilities. Owners will be amazed by the technical equipment, speed of movement, and ease of control of the machines.
Datsun: Brand overview
The Datsun brand has disappeared and reappeared twice. Its history dates back to the early 20th century when two Japanese companies merged into one large structure to produce luxury cars. At the same time, the range was based on an inexpensive model that dominated the US market in the 1960s. However, the fame did not last long: the trademark ceased in 1986 and was forgotten for 27 years. She returned in 2013 with new machines targeted at buyers from several countries.
Datsun is directly related to Nissan Motors because that company originally owned it. As far as know, in 1934, Jitsuyo Automobile and DAT Automobile merged, the two automakers that gave birth to Nissan. At the same time, the products of the newly formed structure were sold abroad under the Datsun brand. First, the lineup was represented by luxury cars. During the fighting, the time has come for military technology. When World War II ended, the US Army ordered Datsun mini-trucks from Nissan, saving the automaker from bankruptcy.
So, gradually, the Japanese brand became popular and captured the American market through cheap transport. However, the parent company had completely different plans: it abandoned Datsun to unite all areas under Nissan’s common name. This required a huge financial investment that did not even pay off. The executives didn’t consider that people were used to the old brand. If Japan knew about Nissan, motorists would only be familiar with the Datsun logo in all other countries. As a result, sales in the overseas market dropped sharply.
Meaning and History
The automaker started from scratch in 2012. He had to win customers’ trust and draw attention to his products. It is all the more surprising that 2012, he decided to restore the Datsun brand, for which he launched a whole campaign to “resurrect” it. The owners decided to do without total rebranding. They retained the original name, which was composed of two words: “DAT” (initials of investors) and “sun” (symbol of Japan). By the way, the creatives would first give the brand a completely different name – Datson. This indicates that the brand is a subsidiary of DAT. However, this spelling caused negative associations in Japanese, so the penultimate letter was replaced.
After the unexpected return of Datsun, the logo was retained, albeit with a modern look. Over the century, it changed many times, but laconic inscriptions often prevailed. They were an integral part of the iconography of cars that made it to export markets. However, the most popular and memorable round sign with a rectangular plaque where the brand name was written.
What is Datsun?
The automotive brand Datsun has experienced two births. It appeared in 1931 when the first subcompact prototype from DAT Automobile Manufacturing was introduced. In 1986, the brand disappeared, giving way to Nissan. The restart took place in 2013: Datsun began to produce inexpensive cars for several countries. In 2020, production in Russia and Indonesia was stopped, but the machines continue to be manufactured in India.
1931 – 1935
The original emblem contained a red circle divided into two equal parts by a blue rectangle with ” DATSUN ” white lettering.” The word was written in bold type with long and sharp serifs. The letters were disproportionately squeezed at the edges.
1935 – 1976
The emblem received a simple font – smooth, even, chopped. The letters got bigger and wider, but the space between them didn’t increase because the designers removed the serifs.
1951 – 1963
Another early symbol looked like a red plaque with rounded corners. Inside was the brand name, highlighted by an elongated white line. The first “D,” the most unusual, is shaped like a rectangular trapezoid. Moreover, all the letters consisted of strokes of different thicknesses and were slightly flattened—the presented badge-adorned cars of the Datsun 320 model.
1963 – 1964
In 1963, a logo appeared with widely spaced letters connected by thin horizontal lines. The font became handwritten, with a noticeable slant to the right. The rectangle disappeared, and the red color was replaced by blue. This wordmark could be seen on the Datsun Bluebird 410 radiator grilles.
1964 – 1965
Datsun’s automotive brand used a badge with stylized lettering during this time. If the previous emblem was thin and elegant, the new one is thick and geometric. The font was coherent, outlined, and italicized. Wide letters made up a single composition. Because the connecting line ran at the bottom, the glyphs were less visible than at the top. The background of the title was a horizontal blue stripe.
1965 -1986
The 1965 Datsun logo can be characterized as strict and businesslike. It was completely verbal and consisted only of the name. The inscription was made of uppercase type with classical-style block letters. They had no notches. “D,” “S,” and “U” had characteristic curves. This design helped improve the text’s readability and provided a quick recognition of the car brand.
1970
In 1970, the automaker brought back the logo in cursive outline lettering. The glyphs in it were connected, as in the 1964-1965 version, but only looked more distinct and understandable. The line below could have been more perfectly even: it consisted of segments that formed letters. Another change: the “n” had a miniature indentation at the top.
1970 – 1972
1970, the inscription was placed inside a gray oval with a red and black ring. The gradient gave the elliptical shape a three-dimensional effect. The letters also seemed three-dimensional because they were outlined with thin dark lines contrasted with the base white. Moreover, large rectangular serifs made the brand name noticeable against the background of other elements. This logo was first used for the Datsun Cherry 100A E10.
1972
After a complex form, the logo again moved to a simple one. The “Datsun” inscription has been modernized by increasing the inter-character space and, accordingly, reducing the glyphs. Their height was limited by a narrow and long rectangle placed horizontally. The only thing the designers have kept is the gray outline on the white letters. On a black background, they looked distinct and expressive.
1972 – 1976
In 1972, another version of the word mark appeared: a simple black inscription on a white background. The most prominent detail was the long and sharp serifs on the edges of the letters. A similar symbol adorned the Datsun 240K C110 cars but lacked some elements.
1976 – 1986
The Datsun corporate logo was developed in 1976. It was based on the original design and contained the same elements as the first emblem: two red semicircles, a blue rectangle, and white lettering. The font changed because the developers preferred the sans-serif version, with bold lines of the same thickness. Due to the small spacing, the letters practically crawled over each other. Due to its characteristic structure, Americans have nicknamed this symbol “hamburger.” In the 1980s, it was used on cars and the Nissan emblem, but it was abandoned. The Datsun brand remained a marketing tool for selling products until the mid-1980s, when the parent company began unifying its names. In 1986, he was forgotten for a long time.
2012 – 2022
In 2010, the owners decided to restore the historic trademark. The preparatory phase took three years, and Datsun machines returned to the markets of some countries already in 2012. They needed a little image change to show their commitment to progress. Therefore, the logo was changed, although it retained some classic elements.
In the center of the blue plaque is the word “DATSUN.” The inscription has a linear white-to-gray gradient; the letters are highlighted in black outlines on the right. The rounded rectangle is embedded in the same blue ellipse. In addition to color, they are united by a radial gradient, making it appear that an invisible light source is in the left corner. The outer part of the logo is a silver oval bezel with a cut top and bottom.
Datsun: Interesting Facts
Datsun is a car brand with a deep history. It is especially known for shaking up the car markets in America and Asia.
- Japanese Roots: Datsun was started in Japan in the early 1900s by DAT Motorcar Co. The name comes from the initials of the company’s founders (Den, Aoyama, and Takeuchi) and the word for “rabbit” in Japanese, hinting at speed.
- Becoming Nissan: In 1934, Datsun became part of Nissan to help Nissan go global. Nissan used the Datsun name for cars sent overseas, especially to the U.S.
- US Debut: Datsun became big in the U.S. during the ’60s and ’70s with affordable, reliable cars and good gas. This was when American cars were big and not so gas-friendly.
- The 240Z: The Datsun 240Z, launched in 1969, was a game-changer. It offered great performance, style, and value, competing with European sports cars and becoming a classic.
- Compact Pickups: Datsun was also known for its small pickup trucks, some of the first to be popular in the U.S. These trucks built Datsun’s reputation for reliable, useful vehicles.
- Name Change: In the early ’80s, Nissan dropped the Datsun name to unify their brand worldwide. By 1986, all cars were sold under the Nissan name.
- Comeback: In 2013, Nissan returned the Datsun brand to emerging markets like India, Indonesia, and Russia, aiming at first-time buyers with affordable cars.
- Racing Glory: Datsun also made its mark in motorsports, especially with the Datsun 510 in rally and endurance racing, earning the nickname “Giant Killer.”
- Innovative Design: Datsun was ahead of its time, introducing features like disc brakes and independent rear suspension to mass-market cars.
- Lasting Influence: Even though the Datsun name was retired, its legacy lives on. Classic models, especially the 240Z, are still loved by fans and collectors for their performance and design.
Datsun’s story is a testament to its commitment to making innovative, quality, affordable cars. Its influence on car culture and the industry remains strong years after the Datsun name was retired.
Font and Colors
The circle in the middle represents the rising sun, the main symbol of Japan. It demonstrates that the company is committed to development and modernity and illustrates, to some extent, the name Datsun. The dividing rectangle represents the power of energy, which helps the brand move forward.
Following an established tradition, the designers used a sans-serif font for the logo. The official colors of the car brand used to be red, blue, and white – the same as on the US flag. After the revival, the emblem became silver-blue, as America ceased to be the main market for Datsun.
FAQ
What is the rarest Datsun car?
The 2000GT is one of the brand’s rarest cars, with only 351 examples produced between 1967 and 1970. Collectors regard it as a significant achievement in automotive design and engineering.
The Z series of cars began in the late 1960s and included the Nissan S30, known in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and internationally as the Datsun 240Z. This series combined a beautiful appearance, performance, and an affordable price, making it very popular.
What brand of car is Datsun?
Datsun was founded in Japan in 1931, five years before Toyota. It quickly became important in the automobile industry by offering affordable and reliable cars. Nissan Motor Company owned the brand, and in 1986, they stopped using the “Datsun” name to focus on promoting the Nissan brand worldwide. This step aimed to make the company’s brand more recognizable globally.
What does the Datsun logo mean?
The logo includes several significant elements of Japanese culture. It depicts a blue oval, symbolizing the sun. The blue oval pays homage to the brand’s Japanese roots. Inside the oval is a rectangle with rounded edges. This shape represents energy and forward movement in the automotive industry.
What is the Datsun symbol?
The main symbol is the sun, a vital element of Japanese culture, reflected in the flag of Japan and its nickname “Land of the Rising Sun.” The sun logo features a modern, unique style that isn’t immediately recognizable. Using this national symbol, the company combines its history with modern uniqueness.
What is the font of the Datsun logo?
The logo’s letters are key to its design. The designers chose a unique, bold sans-serif font that doesn’t match any commonly available fonts. It is similar to FontSite Inc.’s MicroSquare Bold Extended, which is a paid font, and Steve Gardner’s Plateia Bold, which is free. This font choice shows a modern look and feel, ensuring that the typography complements the overall style of the logo.
