Where were you guys five years ago?!

npca-gtb · Post by **npca-gtb** » Sat Dec 02, 2000 10:46 pm

Well, well, well! I believe I've stumbled into something only another Patrol freak can undsrstand. Five years ago while still employed with Nissan North America, I came across a beautiful VIRGIN Patrol. I bought it from a man in Nebraska who had it for 15 years. The prior owner was a coal mining co. that used it (and a couple others) to haul mining equip. in and out of the mine shafts during it's first 15 years. The truck was 100% intact, low miles in BEAUTIFUL condition. I bought it and spent some time scrubbing the chassis and interior (the grey enamel finish on the inner fenders, engine compartment and interior was LIKE NEW when I finished, the original blue was still on the block, air cleaner and valve cover!!) I gave it a new coat of original Mt. Fuji Blue, refinished the wheels in black, drove it flawlessly for a year or so and then sold it. For those of you who care to and can, you will find it in the main lobby area at Nissan North America's HQ in Torrence, California on display with a 2000 Datsun Roadster and an old pickup . I sold it to them when we were assembling vintage Nissans for the then-new museum. I sincerely believe that there is not another one quite as nice as that one left in this country. I'm sure someone out there has restored one to it's past glory but mine was original. The thing came out of a time capsule!!!!!!!! I regret (to a rather minor degree, considering the profit) selling it. I've dabbled in the Landcruiser thing a few times, but there's NOTHING out there (at least in the USA) like a Patrol. A friend told me about traderonline.com. I was browsing some Patrol ads and got linked to this site. Very cool. I noticed that virtually all of you are from the West or Canada. There is such a lack of awareness regarding the Patrol here in the East that people swore mine was "a mail truck". Anyway, I am looking to buy another one. I don't expect to replace the one I had but I hope to find a legitimate one that isn't a ticking time-bomb. It has to have a solid drivetrain, VERY minimal, if any, rot, hard and bikini tops, lifted rather than cut up. Basically a solid truck. In my past life before going corporate I was (am?) a Nissan and ASE Master Tech., so I don't think much will get past me. If anyone feels they have the one I'd be interested in, please respond. I'm very impressed with the networking you have done to source parts from the forklift people. What about suspension parts? Or the simple stuff like u-joints and clutches? I heard that a Ford clutch will fit, etc. I'm curious to know how you keep even the obvious parts available. Please excuse the long note but, hey, this was a great find for me. Thanks!

npca-alex · Post by **npca-alex** » Sun Dec 03, 2000 12:13 am

Can I ask what happened to the windscreen wipers and why they put black electrical tape over all the chrome when they photographed it for the posters and used it in the ads? If you don't want to buy this Patrol that Jessica has for sale, then you should be committed to a mental institution, it's that sweet. Contact her at jkgraybill@hotmail.comAttachment: Jessica's Patrol.jpg

npca-gtb · Post by **npca-gtb** » Sun Dec 03, 2000 9:51 am

Alex, Thanks for the reply. The truck in the Nissan ads is NOT mine. The Mr. K's garage campaign was done about a year before I sold mine to NNA. The one that you see in the ads belonged to a private (local) owner. Mine went directly on display in the atrium at the NMC headquarters. The one in the ads is far from original and definitely isn't mine.....

Thanks also for the info. on the one for sale. Do you know more about the truck? I sent Jessica a note asking her to send me info. Can you tell me anything about it? GTB

npca-alex · Post by **npca-alex** » Mon Dec 04, 2000 9:17 am

So, how many Patrols do they have at the Nissan musuem? And how does one get in on a gig like having one's Patrol in their ads?