The Nissan President was a Japanese luxury saloon built from 1965 to 2010 as the flagship of Nissan’s range, sold only at Nissan Store and later Nissan Blue Stage dealerships. When it was introduced it carried the Nissan badge, unlike most Nissan products of the time, which were sold as Datsuns. It was exported in small numbers to countries including Singapore and Hong Kong.
Nissan President at a glance
| Production | 1965–2010 |
|---|---|
| First generation | H150, from October 1965 |
| Engines | 4.0-litre Y40 V8, 180 PS; 3.0-litre H30 straight-six |
| Builder | Nissan, at Oppama |
| Bodies | saloon, left-hand drive HL150 for export |
| Suspension | double wishbone front, live axle with leaf springs rear |
| Japan’s first electronic ABS | EAL, optional from 1971 |
| Trims | Spec-A, B, C and D |
| Second generation | 250 / H250, from August 1973 |
| Replaced by | the flagship role passed to later models after 2010 |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan President.
History of the Nissan President
H150 (1965)
The first President was introduced in October 1965, replacing the Cedric Special as Nissan’s top model, and was sold only at Nissan Store dealers. It was fully hand-built and its size and engine put it in the top road tax bracket. It appeared after the Toyota Crown Eight of 1963 and was developed as a possible limousine for the Imperial Household Agency; as a corporate limousine its rival was the Mitsubishi Debonair. Its styling closely resembled the smaller Bluebird of 1964, and it was built at Oppama. Fewer than 200 left-hand-drive cars were made, mainly for Japan’s foreign missions and Japanese companies abroad.
V8 and equipment
The President came with the 4.0-litre Y40 V8 of 180 PS, developed for the model, or the 3.0-litre H30 straight-six; from outside the V8 is recognised by its twin exhaust. It was lavishly equipped for its time and served as the official car of Prime Minister Eisaku Satō, while the Emperor travelled in one of four Nissan Prince Royals. Each car was individually tested and run in before delivery. In 1971 Nissan offered the EAL Electro Anti-lock System, Japan’s first electronic ABS. Most cars were the fully loaded Spec-D with power seats, windows, twin air conditioning, central locking, many interior lights and a remote-controlled auto-tuning radio; the rear bench had a power recline on the passenger side. The Spec-A was the only version with a manual gearbox, a three-speed column shift.
H250 (1973)
The second generation arrived in August 1973 with a thorough restyling of the front and rear, stretching the car by 235 mm, mostly in the rear overhang, while the centre section and chassis stayed the same. The Y40 gave way to the 4.4-litre Y44, and the H30 six remained until 1974 or 1975. The original line-up had two six-cylinder models, type A with a three-speed manual and type B with an automatic, and the V8 type D with an automatic only. In April 1975 every trim except type D was dropped, the H30 and the manual gearbox went with it, and the V8 gained electronic fuel injection as the Y44E, meeting stricter emission rules.
Design and features
- Hand-built limousine: every car tested and run in before delivery.
- V8 power: a 4.0-litre unit made for this model alone.
- First electronic ABS in Japan: the EAL option of 1971.
- Prime ministerial car: used by Eisaku Satō.
Nissan President versions
- President H150 Spec-D (1965–1973): the fully equipped V8 car.
- President Spec-A, B and C: the cheaper and six-cylinder versions.
- President HL150: the left-hand-drive export model.
- President H250 (1973–): the restyled second generation.
- President type D-1 to D-9: the V8 trim steps after 1975.
The President was the flagship above the Cedric and later shared its platform with the Cima. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: Nissan President V8
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan President, English Wikipedia: H150, V8 and equipment, EAL ABS, H250 changes
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