Curbside Find: 1960s Nissan Patrol – Nissan’s Early Off-Roader

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 vertical 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?