sparkle Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 Can anyone shed any light on the history of Lil Hustler? As far as I can read, it was a factory option decal for the informal name of the truck. Was this just an American option only, or was this also available in Japan and elsewhere? Any other info would be choice! Cheers Sparkle Quote Link to comment
sick620 Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 As I see it "lil hustler" is the proper term for the truck. you know theres chevy blazer, and dodge neon. Well datsun lil hustler is really the proper u.s term. But as you may know in japan they label there cars a little different and usually the name is shown in the vin number I.E eg-6(honda civic hatch), AE86(86 toyota corolla), FD (rx7). Well datsun little hustlers are HLG620. You will never see a lil hustler labeled 620 in japan because that was a u.s market only thing. So basically datsuns are not normal in this aspect. Kinda like how we call 510's 510's instead of bluebirds. Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 So did it start with the 620? I've seen a 521 with the sticker, but didn't know if it was just added. 2 Quote Link to comment
pharouh Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 I went to Ebay and did a quick search and found a 1969 Datsun truck advertisement where they called them Lil Hustler. I'm pretty sure it ended in 1979 when they quit making 620's :crying: A sad day in history. my guess is that it was just an American marketing thimg to make them cute so people would buy them. Worked for me! Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 Well datsun little hustlers are HLG620. Actually all 620s were known as 'Lil' Hustlers' even the PL620s. 2 Quote Link to comment
Vegas Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 Actually all 620s were known as 'Lil' Hustlers' even the PL620s. i have this ad hanging in my station at work 1 Quote Link to comment
sick620 Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 Actually all 620s were known as 'Lil' Hustlers' even the PL620s. Ya thats correct I just used HLG as an example. And yes earlier model datsun pickups are also little hustlers. 1 Quote Link to comment
Roadracer Al Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 Bwaa! "Spunky little fun packer"! I dig the vintage dirt bike in the ad. 1 Quote Link to comment
sparkle Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 so the sticker was just a factory option in America? I've heard it mentioned before down our way (New Zealand), but not 100% sure if any of our utes were branded it. 1 Quote Link to comment
mr.mk1 Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 so the sticker was just a factory option in America? I've heard it mentioned before down our way (New Zealand), but not 100% sure if any of our utes were branded it. Hey Sprak. Ive seen two, one is still where we left it. Ive only known them as being called Datsun Hustlers here. Although unsure how the hell we got them..all ive see are RHD also. 1 Quote Link to comment
derrick719 Posted August 20, 2013 Report Share Posted August 20, 2013 I I just bought a 83 720 that has lil hustler or hustler on the side 1 Quote Link to comment
RadioRedline Posted August 21, 2013 Report Share Posted August 21, 2013 Devils advocate. What does the registration say. Lets do a quick survey. State to state and Canada and USA are most likely different. A registration says dodge "neon" and Chevy "blazer" or Chevy k1500? What I am saying is that "Datsun pickup" is the actual name for the vehicle and lil hustler is a dealer or factory marketing term. A d21 doesn't say Nissan d21 or Nissan hustler it says Nissan pickup. On the reg here anyway. The Datsun says Datsun pickup. I've plated 520s 521s 620s 720s and they always are called Datsun or Nissan pickup. That's the official make model just like dodge neon is on its reg. It is not factory in my opinion. An ad is an AD and what that is is a marketing campaign for "lil hustler or hustler". Think of it closer to a slogan. When you go to the parts dept. be it a napa or Nissan it comes up as Nissan/Datsun 620,521, d21 etc. because that's the body style code. Because if you went and said I have a pathfinder for example it could be confusing. I can be wrong. But show me a plate registration, factory service manual, owners manual, or warranty booklet with a Datsun lil hustler or Nissan hustler. What it's plated as and or looked up as parts wise or Nissan service wise is what I think your truck is. Radio 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Yes, the name of the truck is "Datsun Pickup". The model of the truck is * Datsun model series 521 (1968-1972 model years) * Datsun model series 620 (1972-1979 model years) * Datsun model series 720 (1980-1986 model years, 1983-1986 were rebranded Nissan 720) Li'l Hustler was official and was branding applied to the Datsun Pickup by Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A.. Long bed (five-hooker) "Li'l Hustler Stretch" Short bed (four-hooker) "Li'l Hustler Standard" King Cab Variation 4 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 No special equipment indicated a Li'l Hustler. Not even a tape stripe package. ALTHOUGH, Datsun marketing in their infinite wisdom came up with something called the "Li'l Hustler Package" which was a dealer add-on package * Walnut or vinyl shift knob * AMCO Console * Side steps * Exhaust chrome tip * "Li'l Hustler" Stripes * Front bumper guard 3 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Datsun 521 "Li'l Hustler" branding began by November 1969 Datsun 620 "Li'l Hustler" Datsun 720 "Li'l Hustler" Datsun 720 Trail Hustler Tim Deese designed, engineered and manufactured the first years production under contract with Nissan Motor Company. Tim manufactured these vehicles in Jacksonville, Florida and Anaheim, California where the chassis were drop shipped and the truck was then built and shipped on to the dealers. The truck made its debut in the ’83 New Car and Truck showing and was ordered from the Nissan truck book for 1984 production. On the dash of those initial Trail Hustlers, which in ’84 became the Pathfinder, was embossed "Tim Deese Production". 4 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Nissan Canada used "Hustler" branding without the "Li'l" Nissan 720 1984 "Hustler" Nissan D21 Hustler 1987 3 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 In Canada, hustler means "go-getter, energetic worker". 2 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 Lil' Hustler is to the 620 what The Judge is to Pontiac. Swinger is to Dodge Boss is to Ford 2 Quote Link to comment
gene knight Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 I have seen the "lil hustler" logo on a 521 before back in the 80's. in fact I may put it on grimace once I get it painted plum crazy purple, but I if I do it will be in a stainless steel color to match the bed hooks and different touchup areas that I use that color and then clearcoat it afterwards so it won't fade out. any thoughts about it 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 "The Judge" was a special package applied to some 1969-1971 Pontiac GTOs. "Li'l Hustler" is any Datsun 521 or 620 standard or long bed although maybe only called that in USA & Canada. 2 Quote Link to comment
denmarkboy Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 No special equipment indicated a Li'l Hustler. Not even a tape stripe package. ALTHOUGH, Datsun marketing in their infinite wisdom came up with something called the "Li'l Hustler Package" which was a dealer add-on package i love the research , anyone got more ???? 1 Quote Link to comment
Eccles Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 just known as a 620 here but i think i may just add the lil hustler stripe kit 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Only known as the 'Lil Hustler 620 to me, never ever saw it on any 521. I don't think it was even on the first few years of the 620 either. Mid '70s? The term 'Lil Hustler sounds N American 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 "Li'l Hustler" branding began by November 1969. Featured in both regional local advertising and national advertising. Datsun 521 "Li'l Hustler" branding began by November 1969 1 Quote Link to comment
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