You’d be forgiven for forgetting Nissan actually sold a robust FJ40 fighter here in the states, as the Patrol remains on a fairly obscure page in the history of Japanese Jeep fighters. They also have a stunningly similar profile to Toyota’s entry in the bare-bones 4×4 category, but with about half the notoriety. This is claimed to be an original paint second-generation model that was one of the last sold new, as it wears a Nissan badge reflecting the change-over from the Datsun branding. Find it here on eBay with one bid and a Buy-It-Now of $11,500.

Today, you can effectively buy a rebadged Nissan Patrol in the form of the huge Infinity QX80 and less-opulent twin, the Nissan Armada. It’s rather amazing to consider how much larger those vehicles are than the original Patrol, but the same could be said for almost any SUV now in its fourth or fifth incarnation. The Patrol seen here does wear the earliest of the Nissan badges on the spare wheel hubcap, and the seller is adamant that it remains highly original – even with all of its underbody skid plate armor still attached.

Rust is said to be limited to a few surface spots, and the paint is appropriately worn for an off-road workhorse like this. This Patrol features the removable hard top, which I understand to be somewhat rare. The interior is a spartan affair, as you’d expect, with seating for four and two doors at the rear for backseat entry. Like so many other iconic 4x4s and passenger vans, the Patrol was sold primarily in countries like Australia with its vast landscape requiring a durable off-roader with simple mechanical systems and interiors, but this example does feature a dealer-installed AM radio.

The Patrol is powered by an inline six-cylinder, possibly one of the easiest designs to live with from a maintenance perspective. The seller says it runs well and benefits from a recent valve adjustment. Aside from the paint, other cosmetic details have been addressed, including new window seals, reproduction stickers/graphics kit, reupholstered seats, and a new headliner. I agree with the seller’s assessment to leave the nicely aged paint alone and simply enjoy this Patrol as the plucky off-roader that it is.