Announced at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan President was the pinnacle of luxury. It offered more cabin room than the flagship car named after a US president whom we are actually honoring today, the Lincoln Continental (by 1.6 inches). The interior had no less than 42 different combinations, and was packed with state-of-the-art features like heat-absorbing glass windshield, power windows, power locks, power seats, power ventilators, and rear heated seats. With a price tag of ¥3 million it wasn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for. Happy Presidents Day from JNC!
And just like that, I have a new favorite car.
Now I thought I knew my Presidents but, I must say I’ve never seen that face. Must be pre-facelift or something, the body looks familiar.
Growing up in the 60’s, a President was your cue that you have “arrived”. I have to say though, this is the first time I’ve seen one other than piano black with curtains.
I’m sad that this form of luxury is fading for the Urban Four Wheeler. The U.S. president’s “Beast” Cadillac looks like just another Suburban & it sounds like Toyota’s headed that way too with their next gen Crown.
Edit: Century.
As I recall, the original President was just slightly larger the the Chevy Nova.
3 million yen wasn’t that expensive then. The exchange rate was 360 yen to the US dollar [or 1000 yen to the British Pound Sterling ]. This equates to about $8,000 US then.
$8000 in 1965 was firmly in the luxury end of the automotive swimming pool. That would have slotted in between the Lincoln Continental, which was around $7500, and Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham at around $8300. Just for more perspective, an E-Type Roadster in ’65 was about $5500, while a Porsche 911 was $6500. So, the President was not EXPENSIVE expensive, but it definitely was not cheap.