The President was a full-size, limo-quality vehicle made by Nissan in Japan from 1965 to 2010. The target market was usually well-to-do folks and dignitaries, and production numbers were somewhat low (56,000 units over 45 years). They were never exported to the U.S., so this example with right-hand drive is a recent import. You’d probably have to look hard and far to find another one like it. Located in Levittown, Pennsylvania, this pristine beauty is available here on eBay for $4,200 with no reserve to worry about.
If this car looks kind of familiar, that’s because it was built on the same platform as the Infinity Q45 (third generation Presidents, 1990 to 2002). From what we can tell, the car oozes amenities equal to or greater than the Infinity, making it the flagship of the Nissan marque back in its day. While earlier Presidents were largely hand-built, production became more mechanized by the time this one was built. If you want a Nissan with a V8 engine, this is probably the one with 4.5-liters to get the job done with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
We don’t know the history of this car, but the listing reads like it just got off the boat. The mileage is low at 50,000 and the condition of the vehicle inside and out is stellar. We’re told it runs like new, but you’ll have to get used to driving from the opposite side of the car. That’s bound to attract curiosity seekers wherever you go. But how hard will it be to get parts for a car never sold here?
A dealer is involved in the sale, so the title transfer will set you back $250. Plus, a processing fee (how much?) will be added by the seller. We assume there will be no issue with the DMV, DOT, or EPA in getting this car registered for road use anywhere in the U.S. If you have any questions about that, I’d check with your local authorities before submitting a bid. If you’ve been looking for a set of luxury wheels that nobody else has, this could be it!
It’s “Infiniti” if you please. There’s no Y in the name. As a former Infiniti employee in the early ’90s it looks to me like there’s a lot of common parts with the Q45.
What a coincidence, a car named “President”, on this, election day in the USA. No, no, not a political post, as clearly forbidden and has no place here. I will cautiously say though, for the 1st time in my life, and quite possibly at 70, the last, I actually voted. I won’t say for who, but I thought it was that important this time. Please, no political followup. Russ started it,,:)
We never saw cars like this, and I all but guarantee, most of the great folks of Japan didn’t either. As the name suggests, they were for the people most folks worked for. Given my views on Asian cars, I’m sure it rides nice, but absolutely of no interest, and I’d have to think, repairing it would almost be futile. What’s a vintage Nissan tranny going for these days?
Agreed on all parts Howard.
Studebaker had a President…so i think you are safe. Oh, they also had a Dictator and Commander.
I prefer the front end better than the US version. It’s interesting it has no sunroof. Most presidents prefer to stick their head out from time to time.to wave at the poor folks.
I lived in Japan in the 1980s and was amazed at the high-end cars they have that they didn’t export. President, Century, Cosmo, etc.
(Although they did export Cosmos for 2 yrs).
Since 95% of the people who see this car will mistake it for an Infiniti Q45, why not save yourself a lot of hassle and just get a Q45?
Getting this registered in many jurisdictions may be impossible – All of California, those portions of Oregon subject to DEQ, much of Arizona (unless insured as a “classic”) and I’m sure other places too. Do your due diligence before buying!
There’s one here in Alaska that was brought up from Oregon. The coolest thing about it was hand made lace around the windows and I can’t remember the year of the car but was all stock from the factory. It was at one of my car shows out in the valley…