Nissan 1967 Patrol Influences All SUVs in the Lineup

Photo credit: Nissan

Nissan debuted a utility vehicle in 1951 with the goal of providing competent off-road performance. Known as Patrol, it soon proved its mettle off the usual path when it accomplished the amazing accomplishment of becoming the first car to ascend Japan’s famous Mount Fuji. The first-generation Patrol was quickly exported from Japan to other international markets, where it was well-liked whether it was navigating the Australian outback, slicing through sand dunes in the Middle East, or navigating difficult terrain in its native market.

With the release of the 60-Series model in October 1960, the Patrol’s second chapter came to an end. As the first Patrol generation to be sold in the United States, the 1967 Patrol that is the subject of this story belongs in that chapter and is a significant piece of the Nissan Heritage Collection. A former Nissan employee found this car in perfect “barn-find” condition on an Iowan farm. After that, it was restored, and when the worker left the company, it was eventually purchased by the Heritage Collection.

The second-generation Patrol was robust and muscular, just like its predecessor, and according to modern marketing materials, it had enough torque “to climb trees.” Patrol’s versatility quickly brought it international recognition, largely because of its superior off-road capabilities. In 1962, a second-generation Patrol completed the arduous off-road journey across Australia’s Simpson Desert in just 12 days, demonstrating just one aspect of its amazing ability.

The Patrol was equipped with a 4.0-liter inline-six engine, a three-speed manual transmission, selectable four-wheel drive, and a sturdy ladder-style frame with leaf-spring suspension. A variety of variants were available to buyers, including van or station wagon bodies, soft tops, hard tops, and short or long wheelbases. It was modified for a range of service applications around the world, such as delivery trucks and ambulances.

From 1962 to 1969, the Patrol was available in the United States via Datsun dealers, and until the early 1980s, it was one of the only cars with the Nissan label offered in the country. The Patrol teamed up with a notable movie star in order to assist appeal to American consumers. The brand chose TV cowboy Roy Rogers as its spokesperson because who could be a better fit for a tough, all-terrain utility vehicle.

Even though this Patrol generation’s two decades of manufacturing are noteworthy in and of themselves, the nameplate’s history was far from over. The functionality and features of the Patrol continued to advance with each new model as the demand for SUVs and utility vehicles increased on a global scale. With a history spanning six generations and over 70 years, Patrol is unquestionably an iconic SUV. The fact that there have been almost 1.9 million Patrols produced is impressive and demonstrates the model’s enduring popularity.

The introduction of the revised 2017 Nissan Armada, a variant of the Patrol which is closely connected to the global-market Y62 Patrol which reentered the American market in 2016. With full-size capacity, the Nissan Armada continues to be the brand’s flagship SUV. The 2024 Armada adds a broad list of premium equipment, an 8,500-pound towing limit, and an optional four-wheel drive system. This thrilling tale will embark on a new chapter on September 3, 2024. For more information on the exciting and capable Nissan SUVs of the future, visit NissanNews.com. Currently available for private tours only, the Nissan Heritage Collection in Nashville, Tennessee, is home to numerous production and concept cars important to the company’s U.S. operations.

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