Nissan Clipper

For more details on the 2003 Kei truck, see Mitsubishi Minicab.

The Nissan Clipper nameplate has been used for two separate commercial vehicle ranges. Originally this was just a relabelled version of Prince's "Clipper" light/medium duty commercial vehicle range. In 2003 the nameplate was revived for a relabelled version of the Mitsubishi Minicab, a Kei truck provided in an OEM deal.

Prince Clipper

This had begun with the AKTG Prince Cabover truck of May 1954, with the Clipper label first introduced on the 1.5-litre AQTI series of October 1958.^[1] The Clipper featured a distinct frontal treatment, with six oval openings for cooling. In February 1961, the BQTI "Super Clipper" with a larger 1.9-litre engine was added to the lineup. In January 1963 the modified T630/T631 Clipper/Super Clipper was introduced, featuring quadruple headlights. Engines remained the same as before, albeit with a bit more power: a 73 PS (54 kW) 1,484 cc four for the T630 and a 1,862 cc unit with 96 PS (71 kW) for the T631 Super Clipper.^[2]

In April 1966, following the merger of Nissan and Prince's operations, the truck was renamed Nissan Clipper (T65). Again, the front treatment was unusual; the front featured four large chrome-ringed ovals, two of which were for cooling and two held the lights. The T65 also received a 1,982 cc Nissan H20 four-cylinder petrol engine.^[2] In January 1973 the new T40 series replaced the T631, but it was shortlived. The next (and last) generation Clipper was the C340 of May 1976, but this was merely a rebadged Nissan Caball. The line came to an end in December 1981, when Nissan's commercial truck range was rationalized. The H40 Nissan Atlas replaced both the Clipper and the Caball.^[1]

Gallery

Nissan Clipper T65 (1966-1972) Further information: ja:プリンス・クリッパー   Nissan Clipper Truck U71T (2003-current) Further information: Mitsubishi Minicab

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Nissan Fact File 2004-2005". Nissan. 2005. pp. 26–27. http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/DOCUMENT/PDF/FF/2004/NissanFF_E_24-27.pdf. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Bent, Alan. "Prince Trucks and commercial vehicles from the Prince Motor Company". Earlydatsun.com. http://www.earlydatsun.com/princetruck.html. Retrieved 2011-06-10.