One of the primary drivers for my subject car selection process is the frequency of write-ups. In the past dozen or so years, I can only find 2 Barn Finds write-ups on a Nissan President. I can’t say if that’s due to a lack of classified listings in the US or a lack of interest in the car. Chime-in in the comments and share your thoughts on this 1982 Nissan President which can be found here on eBay in Woodland Hills, California with a buy-it-now price of $10,900. For those interested parties who think the ask is a bit high, you’re invited to make an offer.
Debuting for the 1965 model year, the President served as Nissan’s flagship until its discontinuation in 2010. Throughout the 4 generation production run, roughly 56,000 Presidents rolled off the assembly line. Initially JDM-only, in the late 1980s, The President began being offered in other countries worldwide, but not the US. Even now imported in the secondary market, US sales are few and far between but seem to have picked up some momentum in recent years.
The black exterior evokes a regal feel apropos to the President’s original target market. The paint appears to shine well enough and the trim still looks bright. I can’t determine if the wheel covers are correct but I feel they look out of place – especially coupled with the red wheels and wide whitewall tires. Fender-mounted rearview mirrors offer a classic JDM look.
The interior appears well-preserved and in no-worse-than driver condition. The beige cloth seats look comfortable and the woodgrain accents are a nice touch, but I’d expect a flagship luxury sedan to appear a bit posher. It seems very plain to me, but I must remind you myself this is early-1980s automotive design. This is a right-hand drive car, so you’ll have to hoof it into your favorite fast-food restaurant rather than the drive-thru.
Under the hood is a 4.4L V8 that sends power to the rear wheels via a column-shifted automatic transmission. The odometer shows just 45k kilometers logged over this President’s 40+ year life. The seller tells us: “This car runs very well…front and rear AC are working…as well as all electrical components.” I’d plan on giving it a thorough once over once under my ownership, but hopefully, the “recent service” mentioned took care of any outstanding issues.
This does appear to be the same car that sold on The Market by Bonhams in September 2022. Their description is a bit more detailed than the current seller’s. Perhaps that one will help you decide if you’ll be making an offer, but I’d venture to guess that the pool of buyers for a vehicle like this is relatively shallow. Maybe if you select your cars to purchase the same way I select my cars to write up, this could be the one for you.
Bonhams got $4900 for it, and I think that’s all the money. If there’s a market for them in Japan, perhaps the current seller can get a bit more, but they’re not exactly rare.
Beyond appealing to the right collector — maybe one who could display the big Nissan next to a ZIL and a Hong Qi — this doesn’t strike me as offering much enjoyment as a car. Five months with the current seller doesn’t suggest I’m missing some special hidden attribute….
I enjoy seeing oddballs like this one featured here. Gives me a chance to learn something about cars I’d otherwise ignore.
So you wonder if the dealer has made it Carb compliant so it can be titled in California. Otherwise shipping will add another couple of grand.
Haven’t seen the Dodge Lancer wheel covers in a while.
Fascinating design, to me. I see nods to so many different American cars – depending on the angle.
And as much as I would like to take it for a spin, I think the first time I reached up with my left hand to pull the gear selector into drive, I would become cross eyed, forever.
No. You’d just be signaling a right turn.
Hi i drive a 57 Thunderbird LHD in Australia amoungst heavy traffic at 70 mph and you /i dont worry about using the indicators as i no where i’m going bugger anybody else.And it’s handy the TBird has a auto floor shift.dont no how i’d go driving in the US as apart from the steering wheel being on the wrong side of the car you guys drive on the wrong side of the road.now that would freak me out. Mick George Australia.
You would fit right in in California, not using turn signals. But driving on the wrong side of the road might cause some problems.
Where’s the front fender flags? I don’t know about a prime minister, that’s like the president in some countries, and a president wouldn’t ride in a Chrysler minivan limo, the apparent equivalent. No, this car, I think, was for the president of Motzemura Heavy Machining Concern, and the loyal workers bowed their heads as he drove by. Hey, different culture, in America, the workers give the boss the finger. Anyway, 39 watchers, no bids,,,and that’s the way it is,,
I see Olds 88 grill, 66 Caprice tail lights, side view, and dashboard.
At first glance, I wouldn’t have seen this as a Nissan. With more glances, I saw “inklings” of other cars in this model, still don’t see it as a Nissan. But with those mirrors on the front fenders, it’s definitely Japanese…. I saw a lot of those while I was in Japan for a while.
Can you imagine pulling up to the Sunday morning “Cars & Coffee” meet in this? (BTW, those whitewalls have GOT to go!)
I agree. I’ve never been a fan of white wall tires. Other than that, I’d leave what I can stock as I can, and enjoy the car.
Keep the unique and oddballs coming.
My neighbor has one that looks 100 percent with the flags and correct wheel covers in Rock Hill, SC
Awesome looking car! I love these old-school Nissan President. I consider it damned unforgivable that they were never offered here in the USA. My favourite is the earliest models between 1965 and 1973. I think it was called the Nissan H150 President.
These were THE luxury car of Nissan vs Toyota’s Crown. I was stationed in Tokyo in the early 80s and these were often chauffer driven and seemed to always be black. Love the 66 Caprice tail lights.
I love the interior. The cockpit reminds me of American car cockpits of the 60s, if reversed. But that’s how a Right-Hand Drive cockpit is supposed to look.
Interesting cars,but I’d never buy one for the crazy prices
nowadays.Duncan Imports has a long row of Toyota Centurys.
You look at one,& pass by the rest of them.
I love the Toyota Century and Nissan President. It’s unforgivable that neither were offered here in the USA.
I was in the USAF in Tokyo 82-84 and had a 79 Mazda Cosmo Rotary. I think they imported them 1 year here? I saw a lot of great Japanese cars that were not imported here back then. IE: Nissan Skyline.
@ Gary Haas: Thank you for your service. Japan had some interesting cars back then, cars that for some reason weren’t offered here in the USA. For some crazy reason, you had to wait 15-25 yrs. before you could import a car from Japan to the USA.
Does the engine remind me of my old Q-45’s ?
I’m sure some variations of the Q45 V8 engine was used up to the time the Infiniti Q45 was offered here in the USA.
Didn’t Toyota make a car for president’s ?? Can’t remember the name of it but I believe it had flag holders on the fromt fenders