The Patrol influence can be seen throughout Nissan’s SUV range, including the flagship Armada
NASHVILLE, Tenn., August 26, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Back in 1951, Nissan introduced a commercial vehicle designed to offer capable off-road capability. The Patrol quickly demonstrated its off-road capabilities with an incredible feat: it was the first vehicle to climb Japan’s famous Mount Fuji.
The first-generation Patrol was soon exported from Japan to other markets around the world and became a hit – whether exploring the Australian outback, roaring across the sand dunes of the Middle East or conquering rough terrain in its home market.
A legend, it seemed, was born.
The second chapter in the Patrol’s history began in October 1960 with the 60 Series model. The 1967 Patrol featured in this story is part of that chapter; it is an important part of the Nissan Heritage Collection as it represents the first generation of Patrol sold in the United States. This vehicle was discovered by a former Nissan employee on a farm in Iowa in true “barn find” condition. It was subsequently restored and later sold to the Heritage Collection when the employee left the company.
Performance is standard
Like its predecessor, the second generation Patrol was rugged and powerful, and contemporary marketing materials claimed it had enough torque “to climb trees”. The Patrol soon became known worldwide for its versatility, thanks in no small part to its off-road capabilities. As just one example of its incredible performance, a second generation Patrol was the first motor vehicle to cross Australia’s Simpson Desert in 1962, completing the gruelling off-road journey in 12 days.
The Patrol had a robust ladder frame with leaf spring suspension and featured a 4.0-litre inline-six engine, a three-speed manual transmission and on-demand four-wheel drive. Buyers could choose from a range of configurations: short or long wheelbase and bodies with fabric or hard top, van or station wagon. It was adapted worldwide for various service purposes, including ambulance and delivery vehicles.
The Patrol was offered in the US through Datsun dealers from 1962 to 1969 and was one of the few Nissan-badged vehicles sold in the US market until the early 1980s. To appeal to American customers, the Patrol was paired with a notable screen star. The company hired TV cowboy Roy Rogers as its spokesperson – and who better to voice a rugged, off-road utility vehicle than the singer and actor known for his work in westerns?
Although the two-decade production span of this Patrol generation is impressive in itself, it was far from the end of the model’s story. As demand for commercial vehicles and SUVs increased worldwide, subsequent versions of the Patrol evolved in terms of performance and features. The span spans six generations and more than 70 years of history, making the Patrol an undeniable SUV icon. Around 1.9 million Patrols were produced1a remarkable figure that underlines the long-standing appeal of the model.
Code names and generations of patrols, year after year:
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1951-1960: Series 4W60
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1960–1980: Series 60
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1980–1987: Series 160
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1987-1997: Y60
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1997-2010: Y61
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2010-present: Y62
A version of the Patrol returned to the U.S. market in 2016 with the debut of the redesigned 2017 Nissan Armada; it is closely related to the globally available Y62 Patrol. The Nissan Armada remains the brand’s flagship SUV and offers full-size capabilities; the 2024 Armada offers optional all-wheel drive and a towing capacity of up to 8,500 pounds.2 and an extensive list of premium features.
The next chapter in this exciting story begins on September 3, 2024. Stay tuned to NissanNews.com to learn more about the future of Nissan’s exciting, high-performance SUVs.
About the Nissan Heritage Collection
The Nissan Heritage Collection in Nashville, Tennessee, currently open only for private tours, contains many production and concept vehicles relevant to the brand’s U.S. operations.
Further highlights from the Nissan Heritage Collection:
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1 Sales data includes the Nissan Armada. |
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2 Up to 3900 kg towing capacity for 2024 Nissan Armada. Towing capacity varies by configuration. See Nissan towing manual and owner’s manual for more information. Cargo and load capacity are limited by weight and distribution. Always secure cargo. |
View original version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240826537054/en/
Contacts
Kevin Raftery
Manager, Nissan Storytelling & Content
[email protected]
Eric Ruble
Sr. Specialist, Technology and Security Communications
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