1966 Nissan Patrol

Below is further info and history on the Nissan Patrol (from: www.earlydatsun.com):
 

The Nissan Patrol is one of the oldest and longest running 4wd vehicles in the world. The first design came about in 1949-1950 and was the 4W60 model. After the war, Japan was occupied and in ruin. Many roads were destroyed and the government was restructuring and in need of vehicles. The Japanese government in the late 1940's offered a contract for a Jeep-type vehicle for the military, police and fire workers. Engineers at DAT in Tokyo, now Nissan, worked to fill the need of the government.

By mid 1950 the Patrol had been designed and tested. Nissan saw the need in civilian use in Japan for a vehicle of this type and also around the world. The decision was made to produce the Patrol for civilian use. Many people think the Patrol is a copy of the Series Land Rovers due to the bodylines but this is not correct. The Patrol was being developed at about the same time as the early Land Rovers and the Toyota Land Cruiser. The early Patrols got their design and styling from the WW2 GPW Jeeps or better yet the Ford GP. This is evident by the similar design of the body on the 4W60 Patrol and the GPW Willies Jeep. Obviously these Jeeps were patrolling the street in Japan just like many places in the world after the war. The GPW and GP Jeeps influenced all small 4wd vehicles in one way or another during the 1940's. Yet, Nissan had a different vehicle in mind and, from the start, had a big motor to power their truck.

The first Patrol came off the production line in September of 1951, the model being the 4W60. These early Patrols were mainly used by police, fire and military in Japan. Yet, in 1951 the first Patrols were exported outside Japan. These were three 4W60's sent to Argentina. There were different variations of the Patrol during the 1950's including a large military truck similar to WW2 WC-series Dodges. This model was the 4W71 and it was powered by a 3956cc inline-six gasoline engine rated. The 4W71 was released in 1952, it was a large cargo or troop truck and rated at 2.5 ton, its production run was short. During the 1950s, Nissan developed the Patrol further. In 1951 the engine in the 4W60 was rated at 85 hp and was a 3670cc inline-six gasoline engine. By 1958 Nissan rated this engine at 105 hp. In 1956 the 4W66 model of Patrol was released. The 4W66 was the Patrols version of the "troopie" or personnel carrier. The production run of the 4W66 was short and ended in 1958. Early on there was a fire truck specific Patrol, this being the F4W60 model. It even had an optional water tanker trailer designed specifically for this vehicle. The 4W66 and F4W60 may be the rarest models of Patrol in the world today. In late 1958 the 4W60 model was changed to the 4W65 and was outfitted with fuller doors front and rear plus a more watertight canvas overall. The 1952-1957 models have a grille consisting of 2 rows of 8 horizontal slots stacked on top of each other, the 1958-1959 model had a slightly protruding grille with 2 chrome bars. The 4W60 models were sold most in Japan, Russia and S. America.

By 1959 Nissan knew they needed a completely new design for the Patrol. Sales were up and so was demand but also came competition from Land Rover, Jeep, Toyota and shortly there after, International. In 1959, the 4W60 was redesigned and in October 1960 the new 60 series model was released. Still only available in softtop (as the earlier models) yet completely new. The very first production 60 series had half doors without roll up windows and the top portion of the door was canvas. The kick vents were also not on the trucks until mid 1961. The 60 series Patrol featured a watertight 125 hp inline six engine with a three-speed manual transmission (with high-low transfer case). The new Patrol had larger payload as well as cargo space (plus a completely redesigned body). They kept the folding windshield and removable doors for function. Also kept were the rear jump seats but size was increased. This truck was being used in some of the roughest country found in the world. Nissan knew this and designed it to take the abuse. It was perfectly designed for use in places like Australia, Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Asia. The first models available were the L60 and plain 60 series. These were short-wheelbase vehicles with the "L" denoting left-hand drive and the plain "60" denoting right-hand drive.

By 1962, many new models were coming into production including the medium wheelbase (G60/LG60), the WG60 (wagon), the FG60 (fire truck), the VG60 (or van), the KL60 (hard top) and so forth. In 1968, the 62Z(L)G60H (pickup) was released. The first truck cabs were built on the G60 or MWB frame.

By 1970-71, the trucks were being built on a longer frame and were considered a LWB. Thus the early pickups are considered a SWB truck. The 60 series Patrol was produced from October 1960 up to June 1980 depending on your location in the world. During that 20-year run, many models and model denotations came and went. Yet they all remained basically the same and all carried the “P” engine and standard drivetrain.

In the USA, the Patrol was imported and sold from 1961-1969. Total sales were 2616 vehicles, with 975 L60 (softtop) and 1641 being the hardtop version (KL60). The famous cowboy and actor Roy Rogers was the spokesman for the Patrol in the USA during the 1960's and he was also a Patrol owner. Nissan failed to understand the USA market and failed to meet the demand that did exist for this truck. They also did a poor job of marketing in the early days. In 1969, emission and safety standards were also getting stricter. The USA was also in a war with an Asian country, which did not help sales. All these things contributed to the demise of the Patrol in the USA. So in late 1969, they pulled the plug and stopped sales in the USA. At that time Nissan models were being sold as Datsun in the USA, so the Patrol was often sold as the Datsun Patrol. In the 1960s, Nissan/Datsun was still very new in the USA and it was not until the 1970s that their sales began to really increase.

All Patrols in the USA were the same with only slight variations in the body. Soft tops (L60s) had a few distinct items to set them apart from the other trucks. This being rear door latch and safety strap for front doors, the windshield frame, and the rear tub (body) is slightly different. Slight changes were made to the Patrols in mid 1964, mid 1966, late 1967, and in late 1968. These variations include the doors, engine horsepower/torque increase, outside mirrors, windshield frames, interior panels and seats, map light, lights, gauges/speedo, turn signal switch, kick vents, steering wheel, and certain options. Yet most (if not all) of the parts are interchangeable. Very few patrols still exist in the USA in stock and original form. Even less have been restored to original. Yet, Nissan designed a very tough truck and that is why there are still Patrols serving hard duty.