Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1981 Nissan Patrol LG-61.
The Nissan Patrol is an interesting vehicle in that, unlike the Toyota FJ land Cruiser, the Patrol was never officially imported to the United States. This is a bit sad, as the Patrol is a great 4X4 and there was likely a market for it here.
So why would you want a Patrol instead of an FJ-40? Well the Nissan Patrol at the time was known as one of the most reliable, rugged and versatile 4X4s in the world. In 1962 when the model was ten years old, a Nissan Patrol 60 Series made overland history by being the first vehicle to cross the formidable Simpson Desert in Australia. It is important to note that this was after a series of complete failures attempted with Land Rovers.
Combined with the amazing off road capability, there is also exclusivity here in the U.S. as it’s a rarity here. The Patrol will be a favorite at any car show you attend with it. In addition, the LG-61 Patrol is the rarest of all since it was the last of the Patrol series that were built, and it had the lowest production of any other Patrol.
This 1981 Nissan Patrol is described as an international-market model. It is a four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle that was imported to the United States by a company that has restored more than 50 vehicles. It is said to have recently received an exterior and interior refresh and is powered by a carbureted 4.0-liter inline-six backed by a rebuilt four-speed manual transmission with a dual-range transfer case. Equipment includes auxiliary lights, air conditioning, heat, a Bluetooth stereo, and a rebuilt braking system. It is painted in light blue and equipped with a white hardtop with a reupholstered light brown vinyl interior. It is offered here by the restoration company that did the work and importantly comes with a valid Vermont registration.
In the last year, the two-door body received rust repair and the repaint in light blue. Exterior features include a bright front bumper, auxiliary lighting, a mesh grille, triple windshield wipers, black mirror housings, aluminum side steps, sliding side rear windows, mud flaps, and a vinyl-covered rear-mounted spare tire on a swing-away mount.
Mechanically this Patrol is powered by a Nissan 4.0-liter inline-six rated at 135 horsepower when new. The selling restoration company states that the carburetor and the four-speed manual transmission were rebuilt in the two years ago and the vehicle has covered only 1,500 since. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a dual-range transfer case.
If you love old school 4X4s such as the Land Rover and the Toyota FJ, this Nissan Patrol is a way to stand out from the crowd in a much more rare model. I say, dare to be different, but expect to answer a lot of questions by enthusiasts wherever you drive it.
The online auction for this 1981 Nissan Patrol ends on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
