INFO GUIDE: 1972 - 1977 180B Datsun SSS Coupe 180B (Bluebird 610)

A number of original colours have been identified from a Japanese 610 SSS brochure, translated using an image recognition software (so the name translation are not 100% correct). We have included the Japanese brochure in the images for reference. There are also a couple of additional colours which we know to be original from Australian Datsun marketing brochures. Unfortunately, we have not been able to identify accurate paint codes (such as PPG / DuPont codes). Any assistance with this from fellow enthusiasts would be appreciated.

1. Silver metallic (JDM brochure translation: Parley Silver Metallic - Code 012)
2. Purple metallic (JDM brochure translation: Misty Purple Metallic - Code 014)
3. Blue metallic (JDM brochure translation: Starlight Blue Metallic - Code 015)
4. Orange metallic (JDM brochure translation: Englerplons Orange Metallic - Code 016)
5. White (JDM brochure translation: Sherry White - Code 018)
6. Yellow (JDM brochure translation: Habibid Yellow - Code 019)
7. Green (JDM brochure translation: Meadow Green - Code 021)
8. Red (JDM brochure translation: Floral Red - Code 905)
9. Dark Green (JDM brochure translation: Arcadian Olive – Code 939
10. Maroon / burgundy
11. Non-metallic orange

• The Australian market 180B SSS appears to have been fitted with two different dashboard and steering wheel designs.
• Steering wheel designs included:
  
  • Wheel 1: 3 spoke design with a vinyl wrapped rim (each spoke having two rectangular holes) with a circular central Boss and “SSS” badge in the middle.
  • Wheel 2: 3 spoke design with wooden rim, the spokes were flat plastic finish, and had a “D” badge in the middle and twin horn buttons on the upper spokes. This wheel was fitted to the vast majority of 180B SSSs in Australia.
• Two types of dashboard were applied as follows
  
  • Type 1: The instruments on this dashboard were contained in circular surrounds in the cluster. A separate triple cluster to the left of the main cluster contained Fuel, oil pressure and temperature gauges. On this dashboard design, the radio was mounted lower on the dash below the air vents. This dashboard was always accompanied by Wheel 1 (described above)
  • Type 2: The more commonly fitted dash had more rectangular gauge surrounds, and did not have the separate cluster to the left of the main instruments. Instead, a radio was located to the left of the instruments, and the RHS instrument incorporated fuel and temperature, but no oil pressure gauge was included. This dashboard was always accompanied by Wheel 2 (described above)
• A metric odometer was applied from September 1973.
• Additional warning lamps were also applied to the SSS, including a Brake pressure warning (illuminating when fluid is low), and a Low fuel warning light, illuminating when fuel reached below 8L.
• 3-speed wipers were fitted as standard.
• A woodgrain vinyl laminate was applied to the instrument panels and central console. A Datsun badge was applied to the woodgrain panel above the glovebox lid. The rest of the dash was a black vinyl finish.
• Seats had nylon cloth facings and “leatherette” vinyl bolsters which incorporated a pattern embossed in the material. The seats were unique to the hardtop (ensuring sufficient headroom given the reduced roof space.
• Like the seats, door and rear quarter trim cards were vinyl embossed with decorative patterns and trimmed to match the seats. The door mounted arm rest / handle was always a black vinyl finish. Windows were manual wind-up.
• Australian vehicles were available with a cassette player as an option. A 1974 model brochure confirms a Clarion player was available. Other systems may have been available in different years.
• Fresh air ventilation (not air conditioning) was fitted as standard. Air conditioning was optional.
• Other standard features included an anti-glare rear vision mirror, electric rear window demister and laminated windscreen.
• 180 B SSS trim colours in the Australian market included Brown (tan), blue, black and creme. Brown appears to be the most common trim fitted. Carpets were trimmed to match the seat trim colour. 180B SSS trim did not preserve well, and we’ve struggled to find good image examples. If anyone can assist with good images of their original trim colour, please contact the author by clicking the button at the top of this page.

The motor in the 180B 610 SSS was higher compression than a standard L18 motor fitted to the standard Australian 180B. It had an enhanced head, with larger valves and performance cam, which combined with twin carbs gave the engine between 10 - 13 more horsepower than the standard sedan.

• Engine and performance: The 610 / 180B SSS was fitted with the L18 L-series Nissan inline 4-cylinder engine with the following properties:
  • Single OHC 1,770cc. The cam shaft on a 180B SSS should have “B1” stamped in it.
  • Engine outputs (HP & KW):Early engines with twin SU round top carbs had 84kw/115 bhp at 6000 rpm. Later cars with the Hitachi flat top carbs had 77kw /103 bhp @6,000 rpm. Refer to the 180B SSS carby specifications below for further details. There was also a version of the engine that put out 110hp (note, original engine power output was stated on the vehicle's data plate fixed to the centre of the engine bay bulkhead).
  • Engine outputs (NM Torque): Early engines with twin SU round top carbs had 112 ft./lbs Torque at 4,000 RPM (up from 108.5 on the 180B Sedan). Later cars with flat top Hitachi carbs had 147 Nm / 108.5 ft-lb torque.
  • Bore/stroke: 85x78 (3.346 x 3.071);
  • Firing order: 1,3,4,2;
  • Compression ratio: 8.5:1;
  • Factory valve clearance: 0.25 / .010 (intake) and 0.30 / 0.012 (exhaust);
  • Top speed of 112 mph at 5000 rpm
• Fuel tank capacity: 55 litres;
• Suspension and handling: The 180B SSS borrowed its suspension and drive train from the outgoing 510, with some minor modifications. It retained independent rear trailing arm suspension, with nitrogen gas shock absorbers. From 1974, offset strut tops were introduced to the front suspension. A front sway bar was also fitted as standard.
• Wheels and tyres: 13 x 4.5 inch wheels were standard, fitted with radial ply tyres.
• Carburettors:
• Early cars had twin SU carbs. Early models had round-top 1.5” inch SU’s, later models had square top ones (not sure what year the cutover was). Twin Hitachi Carburetors/Nikki 2-barrel (note, a JDM specific model called the SSS-E was available with fuel injection (Bosch licensed), but was not exported outside of Japan).
• Twin 38mm (1.5 inch) side draught carburettors were fitted to the 180B SSS. Early cars were fitted with British design SUs, which were eventually replaced with Hitachi twin carbs (built under licence from SU, and very similar in overall design).
• Early 180B SSS cars fitted with twin SU carbs are identified by the rounded edge of the SU dash pot tops. These are generally referred to as “round tops”. These early round top carbs had part number prefix “HJL38W”.
• It is suggested on enthusiast forums that from September 1973, Twin Hitachi “flat top” carbs were fitted (again, a reference to the change in the top of the dash pot). These later carbs are considered inferior to, the earlier SUs, offering slightly reduced performance, but improved pollution control.

For transmission specs, see the next section.

The Australian 180B SSS was available with three transmission options:

• Three-speed automatic (JATCO model number 3N71B). 
• Four-speed manual (Option code OP010): available up to 1974.
• Five-speed manual (Option code OP071): available from as early as June 1976 and replaced the 4-speed manual. This was a dogleg style box with reverse at the top left and 1st at the bottom left. This gearbox will have the number 63A cast in the gearbox casing. – the “63” part number refers to the distance between the mainshaft and countershaft (63mm), whereas most other boxes ar a “71” type (71mm between shafts, so oviously there is more room for “meatier” gears.

Manual SSS transmissions had baulk-ring synchromesh fitted. Gear ratios and speed range for the SSS 4-speed and 5-speed gearbox are as shown below:

5-speed manual transmission:

4-speed manual

3-speed automatic: