Foreign Diplomat: 1979 Nissan President
The Nissan President is one of the more unusual JDM cars. It pulls many styling cues from 1970s American vehicles and couples them with Nissan’s own flavor of design. Big American cars have long been popular with executives in Japan, so it is not surprising that Nissan aimed to get a piece of that market! This 1979 President is stateside in Tennessee, and can be found here on eBay with an asking price of $26,995 and just 59,501 miles. Thanks to Drew V. for sending this unique car in!
When I think of Nissans, this is pretty much the opposite of what I think of. This looks more like a Lincoln than anything Japanese! But, there’s something about a right hand drive American-looking rolling couch that I am attracted to. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want one of these! You’d really confuse people at a car show. The interior design seems slightly dated, even for 1979, but it aged well as a classic. From the photos, the seats show some wear but overall the interior is in excellent and complete condition.
Though still sort of the first-generation President, this is an H250 which was built from 1973-1989 with a facelift in 1982. Although a 3.0 liter inline six cylinder engine was available, this car is equipped with a 4.4 liter V8 engine. It would be impossible to have a car to compete with American luxo-barges without a V8!
I’m not an expert on these cars, but there’s just something about a car that looks like this made by a company that isn’t known for these type of vehicles that I like. Maybe it’s the confusion factor, or maybe its simply the desire to have something I’d be unlikely to park next to in a parking lot. Either way, this President would make a great daily vehicle for somebody with a quirky personality or someone who wants the perfect JDM/land yacht combination vehicle. Originally intended for government and executive use, this car would add class to any collection.
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Comments
nice car, kinda looks like a fusion of an AMC Diplomat and a Chevy Impala, with a Lincoln interior! I kinda dig it!
Seems to ride very low…wonder if there’s an adjustable suspension? Can’t imagine how it would sit when loaded up with Yakuza members.
They’re all skinny….Was in Tokyo last May and amazed by the number of people who walked, biked to work . All the guys were the same color suit.
I love it’s look. I don’t like the right hand steering. It would be a classy car for a RFD mailman.
Seems like a lot of money for an oddball car. How difficult would parts be to find when you need them and would they be expensive? Interesting car for sure but overpriced in my opinion.
They are definitely an oddball, and rare to boot. Parts will be expensive, with many being Japan sourced only. I agree with you on price, but there is a seat for every wallet.
Just think what Asian big shot must have ridden in this. No experience with big cars. Needs bigger tires. Is there a motor in there? You’d have to be out of your gourd to buy this.
I agree with the bigger tires comment. Not 20-inch wheels with low profile tires like a pimp might put on their ride but something in keeping with a large luxury car.
Export it to the uk/ Australia or even back to Japan that way you LHD lot wont have to deal with it lol
Sending it back to Japan would be a financial disaster for the seller. This car is worth there about 300k yen, approx. $2.600.–
The air suspension seems to be down. Shocks are available in Japan. They are not cheap.
I prefer and own the Toyota equivalent to this car, a Century.
Used to see these in those Asian karate action films. Whoever made the
comment about mobsters riding in these wasn’t that far off–at least where
the movies were concerned. My Dad told me that the government wouldn’t
let them import them here because they were a direct threat to luxury cars
like Lincoln and Cadillac. Dad also said that they had a better build quality
than any U.S. maker producing large cars at that time. Nice car though.
Would’ve liked to see more photos than they provided here. Great post!
Really liked it.
Reminds me of this.
Hey why does it sit so low. Does it have level device bad or just lowered? Anyway I’d raise it up at the very least 3 to 4 inches
Looks like any other RHD Gaz 14 Chaika or it’s Chinese equivalent to me . . . just sayin’ . . .
Anyone else immediately think GTA San Andreas?
it looks like a combination holden commodore and a russian volga. ugh