MBX Adventure City | Nissan Junior

The Nissan brand is not only known for producing the Infiniti, Datsun, and Nismo sports car range. It is also best known for manufacturing utility vehicles that have made a complete brand. Matchbox has been consistent for producing memorable castings that it’s either one off or due to its popularity. For 2017 it introduced one of Nissan’s classic pickup trucks namely the mid-size utility vehicle known as the Nissan Junior.

Nissan has been synonymous with motorsport cars produced under the Datsun, Infiniti, and Nismo brand names. But when you talk about utility vehicles its rarely in discussion on the range it gas produced in the past. The Nissan Junior is one of those mid-size pickup trucks that are underrated that is deserving of its acknowledgement.

This pickup truck was produced by Nissan from 1956 until 1982, which was introduced to fill the gap between the smaller, Datsun Bluebird based Datsun Truck, and heavier load capacity Nissans under the Nissan Diesel brand, like the 80-series trucks. It is one of the rare parts of Nissan’s history for the utility side of the brand that made this car manufacturer over the years.

After the merger with Prince Motor Company, the Junior and the Prince Miler were combined, sharing most of the characteristics, with the Junior sold at Nissan Bluebird Store Japanese dealerships, and the Miler sold at Nissan Prince Store until 1970.







Nissan Truck Incognito

Though in aesthetics the Nissan Junior is not as appealing compared to other competitors from America or Europe it holds an identity on its own known only in the Japanese market. But with Matchbox producing this casting it gives the truck a spotlight rarely given to other types of iconic utility vehicles of the past.

The image of Nissan Junior may not be impressive when it comes to appearance. But underneath the bonnet is an engine that truly proves its workhorse for those who just use to drive this truck to the owner’s everyday life.







Generation Gap

The Nissan Junior lasted three generations and in Matchbox form introduced as a ‘New Model” for 2017 in light blue die-cast body with light gray plastic. The small details can be seen including the rear “Nissan” plate made this one of the best to be produced by Matchbox for its introductory year.

Overall even though the aesthetics may not be appealing for collectors its how Matchbox made sure the quality like the headlight and taillight including the vanity rear plate makes this one of the underrated castings to get when you’re into classic pick up trucks and other utility vehicles of the past.

Nissan Junior photo by Mazda Navajo.

“1962 Nissan Junior” is numbered 007 0f 125 die-cast cars released for Matchbox in 2017 and it was acquired at Big W in Westfield Marion for $2.00 AUD (originally retailed at $3.00 AUD) or PhP 80.00 in Philippine Peso.

Matchbox is distributed and sold in Australia by Mattel Pty., LTD. based in Richmond, Victoria.