This find by IdiotKing at the CC Cohort is something that doesn’t show up often, especially in the US; a 1960s Nissan Patrol, the maker’s counterpart to Toyota’s Land Cruiser. Now, you may not be familiar with these Patrols, but they did sell stateside from ’62 to ’69 in small numbers. And as can be seen, this one has been restored to “original” condition by someone who is clearly into off-roading and early Japanese cars. Which is not so strange, as these Patrols are rugged off-roaders and have their following. So, if a vintage Land Rover is just too common for you, this Patrol should do more than fine. Heck, it even looks like a Land Rover spinoff.
Of course, now comes the question: is this an original import, or a recent arrival?
The LHD arrangement suggests it’s an original US import. Unless someone went through the trouble of bringing one from South America, where these also showed up. They’re rare as nails over there too, however. So the original US import is most likely the case.
Now, I’m pretty sure the large NISSAN emblem is a later addition (from a Frontier or something like it?) After all, these models suffered from early Nissan-Datsun schizophrenia, as period print material shows.
A bit of history before we move on. In the early postwar years, just about all Japanese carmakers had a stab at creating their own Jeep-like off-roading vehicle. Most clearly Jeep inspired, and in the case of Mitsubishi, basically being Jeeps (and running well into the 1990s).
Nissan had their own take, starting in 1951, looking like a tin-toy version of the American Jeep. Today’s second generation arrived in 1960 and would remain in production until 1980 in Japan. Unlike the rest of the Japanese off-roaders, Nissan’s sophomore effort took styling cues from a different source; Land Rover.
So this generation of the Patrol joined the company’s international push of the 1960s, though mostly in a supporting role from the looks of things. Even print material suggests the car was in a kind of flux in those export markets; a Datsun or a Nissan? How about Datsun Nissan Patrol?
No harm done, though. Datsun would remain around in most markets (for the time being, at least), while the Nissan Patrol would leave most places by the late 1960s. Not that it was entirely a dud salewise everywhere, since in Australia it found a strong following and even outsold Toyota’s Land Cruiser.
From its inception in its native Japan, the Patrol was aimed at government needs, joining police and fire department fleets. And it had the credentials to fulfill those jobs more than adequately, as the sturdy truck was created from the drawing board to be a versatile platform. It arrived in two body types, one with a short wheelbase of 2200mm (60 designation), and an extended one of 2500mm (G60). Cargo capacities were of 400KG in the 60 series, and of 750KG on the G60.
The vehicle’s strong ladder-type box-section frame was supported by a suspension that consisted of extra-strength leaf springs, aided by hydraulic double-acting tubular shock absorbers, and torsion bar stabilizers. As for power, it came via Nissan’s 4L P-Series inline six, which had debuted in 1959 and was the company’s powerplant for their light duty trucks.
The Patrol would remain in its 1960s configuration all the way to 1980, when a plusher, more car-like line showed up. Not entirely clear why it took Nissan so long to create a “softer” off-roading Patrol when Toyota had already done so in 1967 with their Land Cruiser FJ55 models. Some suggest MITI intervention/negotiations, which could be.
Then again, Nissan seemed to jump into certain segments somewhat late (Mainly, the off-roading and kei/subcompact ones), preferring to cater to their car lines. Outside the US, there was a bewildering array of such models (particularly after gobbling up Prince’s lineup), offering plusher options and trim for average buyers. I.e., higher-profit content the carmaker seemed to prefer; Bluebirds, Cedrics, Silvias, Laurels, Violets –Nissan’s golden children of the time.
For example, here’s this ’71 Cedric/Gloria wagon I came across in San Salvador a few years ago. A/C, front disc brakes, manual transmission, L-type 6 cylinder engine, key activated electric rear window, and a rear facing foldable seat –All very LTD/Country Squire-like! In a Japanese sort of way, of course.
Back to our find, today’s seems to be the G60 model, with a longer wheelbase and three-seat arrangement, plus a cute three-wiper setup. Oh joy! No one is left out in this setup!
Did the longer wheelbase models make it stateside back in the day? Or could that be proof that the car is a recent arrival?
Should you care to see the short wheelbase, 60 line, here’s one I found in El Salvador back in 2018. Unlike today’s, this is a true hardworking curbside classic.
While it only has one functioning wiper, notice it’s a two-wiper arrangement. Also, the grille may or may not be original, but it’s closer to what these looked like back in the day. No large Nissan emblem shouting out its daddy to the world.
And from this angle, the vehicle’s soft top. One of three body styles of the 3-door version, the others being the wagon and the hardtop.
Time to go and leave this find behind. This one’s hardworking days may be in the rear view mirror now, but I’m pretty sure it must have paid its dues to enjoy its current cushy retirement.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Find: ’60s Nissan Patrol 60 – Originally A US Market Patrol? With An IH Speedometer?
If I’m not mistake, this looks like a LHD, not the as-described RHD.
But it’s all a matter of perspective, I suppose.
Also – would like to see more of the Fairlady runabout – looks derivative of AH.
It’s LHD. Text is updated now on that typo.
Maybe there’s a reason, but I don’t know why they don’t make a “retro-Inspired” version of this. (Must have Reliable & Capable Running gear though, not just look cool).
They would sell a MILLION of them. (or more).
I’m going to take a guess that this is indeed an original US vehicle, and a later one at that. The US has a requirement for a certain percentage of the windshield to be swept by the wipers, and several cars with short/wide windshields added a 3rd wiper to accomplish that. I believe the MGB was one, and in more recent times, the Toyota FJ Cruiser also had 3 front wipers.
The Nissan badge in the grille is definitely a recent addition, as it’s in a modern font wasn’t in use yet in the 1960s. The side badges on the front fenders look original though.
Hey! Nice to see my CC pics featured here. I spotted this Patrol on my way down through Southern Maryland at about 70mph; I’m always on the lookout for odd silhouettes in my travels. I stopped on my way back home to shoot these pictures. This particular shop usually has one or more interesting vehicles parked in their lot; the last time I went past there was a very pretty K5 Blazer (just as rare around these parts) in a deep shade of blue, but I didn’t have time to stop and capture it.
Nissan Patrols aped the Landrover with a solid box section chassis instead of the flexible frame used in Land cruisers, some were really good one version of the G60 had an appetite for diff heads, the LWB cab n chassis version was the really tough version, very few left now, they rusted like mad and nobody cared about them when they were plentiful, nice find but the Austin Gipsy was a better 4×4.
Just like the one a high-school teacher had in the early seventies, colour and all.
Quite popular down here back in the day, but you needed to be seriously into the off-road stuff. Supposedly tougher than a Land Cruiser, or so their supporters will claim, though I’ve noticed the Toyotas are way more common when you’re really outback.
As for whether it’s a Nissan or Datsun: good question; has anyone actually researched the name usage? I *think* back in the mid-sixties the cars were Datsun and the big trucks were Nissan. I have an idea this early Patrol was called a Nissan down here, but I may be wrong. Then the big trucks seemed to disappear and everything remaining was called Datsun – until in the early eighties they seemed to go “Hang on, just kidding, we’re really Nissan!”. Confusing…
Vertical lead springs?
Is this a typo? I am having a hard time picturing that. Otherwise, thanks for writing up this cool find!
Nice to see in top shape .
From the 80’s through about 2000 there was one of these just sitting in a repair shop in Boyle Heights, I always wondered why it was never finished/ driven or whatever, I hope it found a loving home .
-Nate
CC effect: our close friends and neighbours have a G60 as their business vehicle. It’s been restored at some point and is in amazing condition – and horrible to drive they say, with a terrible ride, lousy brakes and very heavy manual steering. No heater either, so it’s not fun in winter. Looks so good though!
Quite the find if I do say so myself. This Patrol checks all the boxes for me when it comes to a classic small 4×4. Although I would still probably go for a Land Cruiser simply based on the Toyota’s proven reliability and parts availability. What surprises me is how the modern width wheels and swampers dramatically improve the visual look and balance of the design over all.
I’ve seen a Nissan Patrol or two in Oregon, and if you want to get even more obscure, someone near me is selling an Austin Gypsy, BMC’s Land Rover competitor in the 60s