Japanese Cars History Go into Sabah Market

It was the scene of Jalan Gaya, Kota Kinabalu in the late 1960's. When these was the early days of the arrival of Japanese cars to the Kota Kinabalu market at the same time, it was also the time when European cars were overthrown from the market.

In the beginning, two Japanese, Toyota and Datsun branded car brands were said to be the Sabah market. The picture below shows a Datsun 1300 model 510 which plate EJ 4744 was located at the curb of Gaya in 1969.

Datsun 1300 model 510

Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1960s_Datsun_1300_Deluxe_(Datsun_510)_(11424758433)

The model was first made in Japan in 1967 and launched into the Sabah market in 1968. At that time all cars were imported cars. There is no locally installed car yet. The last 510 model of the last imported was 1972.

Datsun SSS

Image Source: www.junkmail.co.za/classic-cars-bikes-and-custom-built/classic-cars

The model is also equiped with 1600 cc and is called Datsun SSS, a 'Sport Saloon Car Vehicle' that popular in the Sabah market in the 70's. In the 80's, the model has been widely used as a 'Pirate Car' and can often be observed traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Tamparuli.