Nissan Patrol Still Tough At 60

The Nissan Patrol is celebrating 60 years of 4×4 heritages as the company evolved what began as a tough and ground-breaking military design into an authentic and consummate off-roader of today.

This is a special-edition 60th Anniversary Edition named “Adventurer 60”. The Adventurer 60 is based on the current, sixth-generation Patrol and comes with all the additional equipment true adventurers might need to conquer any challenge.

Nissan SA marketing, sales and aftersales director Johan Kleynhans explains: “After 60 years of impressing the off-road world with its consistent reliability, thanks to exceptionally rugged construction, and authentic 4X4 abilities which delivers a true sense of no boundaries, freedom and adventure, the Patrol has earned its status as a legend in this competitive niche. The Adventurer 60 model has been built to celebrate the legend on its momentous birthday.”

The Patrol heritage began in 1951, in response to a government call for an exceptionally durable, go-anywhere all-purpose vehicle. Its name was built from the beginning on an authentic 4X4 chassis as a result, complete with selectable 4WD and a powerful 6-cylinder engine under the bonnet.

This vehicle originally named 4W60 went into production as the Patrol, and that began the building of the model’s reputation as the most reliable, rugged and downright versatile 4X4 available to the commercial market.

By 1960, a second generation of the make had been developed. It was this 60 Series model which began gathering many admirers in the market, and which became the first vehicle to cross the daunting deserts.

The sheer dependability of the Patrol architecture saw the 60 Series model last a full two decades before finally requiring refreshment, and by 1980 the name Patrol had become synonymous with ruggedness and reliable 4X4 ability.

The Patrol remained a worthy flagship of the authentic Nissan off-road line up to date, with the third generation 160 Series arriving in 1980 and lasting to 1987, the fourth being 260 Series running from ’88 through to ’97, and the fifth Y60, built concurrently in this period from ’87 through to ’98.

Adventuring with style, the Nissan Patrol continues to forge itself a strong reputation among the leaders in this no-compromise niche market, culminating in the sixth generation which first appeared in 1997. Once again, true to the traditions of the original, this generation stood out as an authentic 4X4 offering in a segment more and more softened by the popularity of the SUV segment.