Photos from the CC Cohort by So Cal Metro
Datsuns of the 1970s have been conversation pieces every so often since they came out, mainly thanks to their curiously wonky styling and quirky design flourishes. In that sense, this wonderfully sci-fi-looking, period-correct RV conversion only amplifies the marque’s flair for the outré. No, it wasn’t a factory creation—but if Nissan had actually offered it this way, would you really have been surprised?
At first, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to identify this oddball. The 1970s were awash with small companies coming up with tons of weird fiberglass motorhomes, and it’s a challenge to track down their origins. However, this one apparently turned out to be something rather special. Judging by its curious bulbous and sci-fi-inspired shape, it’s a Scorpion Deluxe motorhome. About them, here’s how an online listing from 2018 put it—albeit with creative spelling—for a Scorpion built on a Datsun 720 pickup:
“not many of these babys were made, here is you chance to be the star of the campsite. fiberglass shell on the back molded onto the truck. there are no seems that allow water to leak through. most of these style motorhomes were installed on toyota truck chasis, the Nissan makes this item very rare and desirable.”
Not sure about how “desirable” one of these truly is, but it’s certainly an eye-catcher. And somehow, I think its avant-garde lines suit a 1970s Datsun pickup better than a Toyota. After all, Fuji-lage styling and retro sci-fi weirdness seem to go hand in hand. That said, the 620 is actually one of Nissan’s tamest designs from the era. So, how about this wearing the front end of a 1977 200SX instead? Now that would be something.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1972-79 Datsun Ute Coupe 620 – Meeting The Ugly
The Long, the Short and the Ugly – by Don Andreina
Datsun King Cab Pickup – Yes, We’ve Long Legs in America – by PN
COAL#16 Datsun King Cab – King of Space Mountain – by Ed Hardey
Curbside Classic: 1976 Datsun (620) Double Cab Pickup – Corn Harvest Season
That is wild looking. But also very appealing. It might not be desirable to all but I would love to have it. The giant rear hatchback door is rather unique as well.
I’ve caught a number of these ’70s fiberglass mini-motorhomes, but this one is definitely out there and quite a catch. Can’t imagine what the point of the rear hatch is; maybe to watch the waves roll in when camped at the beach?
We did a “mini-van” at COA b4 MoPar did theirs! Ours was built on a Datsun as well. I sketched out the design, Mr. Fred hoadley did a 1/5th scale clay and then we did a 1:1 in a RV plant during Midwast summer heat n humidity throwing over a TON of 160 degree modeling clay onro the buck we we had built on the 1 cab chassis we had. It was a good way to lose weight! After sculpting the life size clay splash molds were laid up n pulled. The 3 pc. shell was laid up into the molds, pulled and assembled on our only chassis which had the buck removed. Without Mr. Hoadley’s calm professionalism it would never have happened. He was a pleasure to know and work with!! Fred had set up and run Ford of Germany’s clay modeling in the late 50s among his many other accomplishments’. 🙂 The picture is of the prototype DV-170. DFO
I consider myself as something of a 60’s-70’s era motorhome aficionado, but you got me on this one. I am certain I have never seen a Datsun/Scorpion. No question the styling is reminiscent ot a 1974 Datsun 610, and the rear hatch is a nice touch. Reminds me a bit of the Open Road folding rear patio/sliding rear doors some of their units had in that it appears the hatch could be used in a similar fashion. I think the ‘C.C. effect’ is in play, a freind of mine recently purchased and is now restoring a Toyota/Sunraider. I just helped him replace the rear wheel studs while he was doing the brakes and axle seals, and it brought to mind a serious issue those old Toyota 1 ton dual rear wheel chassis had. Seems the first ones did not utilize a ‘floating’ type rear axle and were prone to axle shaft failures. This would result in the wheels coming off with a roll-over likely given the high center of gravity these vehicles had. Toyota fixed the problem with a ‘floating’ axle assembly where wheel bearings rode on the axle housing and the axle shaft only served to drive the vehicle and did not support any weight. I believe the axle assembly was adapted from the larger Land Cruiser trucks sold in Asia. Toyota made the floating axles available as a retrofit kit for the older motorhome chassis.
I’ll love it…. while since I’ve seen one, but I remember the short Datsun and toyotas.I’m sixty four years old….has a nice little stick shift 4 speed i believe?
Nice ;
I vividly remember all the wacky fiberglass customs in the 1970’s don’t recall ever seeing this before .
-Nate
We had a Class C motorhome growing up in the 1970s with a granny loft over the cab and that was always my hideout place to hang out away from my pesky sister with curtains closed. This one appears way too small even for a skinny 10 year old as I was, but I’d sure try to make one out of it if I had it!