The Collectability Of Used Nissans: What You Should Be Looking For
Most people assume Nissan was a Japanese auto manufacturer that just emerged on the auto market scene sometime in the early 1980s. This is not surprising considering the fact that no Americans had really ever heard of the company until dealerships began importing more foreign made cars. However, Nissan is almost as old as some of the U.S.'s original auto makers, making it an equally collectible and sought-after series of cars. As a car collector, you may want to reconsider adding "used Nissans" to your collection. Here is what you should look for when investing in an antique Nissan.
Origins Begat Earlier Cars
You will not find an antique Nissan earlier than the 1930s. What you will find are DATs, or Datsons, or Datsuns. The Datsun motor company merged with Nissan holdings during the Great Depression, but if you find an early DAT, Datson, or Datsun, specifically a Datson, you definitely should snatch it up for your collection. Because the Datsun company changed its name so many times, cars were produced under all of the monikers that precede the final Datsun, which you probably recognize and associate with a 1970's car. If you find a Datsun from the same year that the company merged with Nissan, it is extremely valuable.
Later Models Boast Luxury
Nissan cars from the '30s, 40s and '50s all have the trademark luxury look of European chauffeured vehicles. That is because Nissan made a deal with Austin Seven of Britain to create its own line but with Austin parts. After seven years with the British company, Nissan forged unions and deals with many other European auto manufacturers, which influenced the appearance of the cars Nissan made.
Enter the Collectible Nissan Prince
Sports cars by Nissan came about when they made a deal with the Prince Motor Company. The most collectible cars from this era are the ones that still bear the Prince name with Nissan, because after the merger, Nissan eventually stripped "Prince" from the title. If you can find any used Nissans with the Prince logo, you have found quite a gem.
Constant Mergers Produced More Collectibles
The Nissan company has merged with many other motor companies through the years. Buying up collectible cars either just before or just after the mergers is exactly what you want, because the names of the original motor companies quickly dissolved into history once Nissan absorbed them. Even used Nissans in the last three decades are gaining collectors' interest, but none are quite worth as much as the ones mentioned above.
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