TRUCK WITH A CAPITAL T.(Column)

Byline: MIKE COVELLO

As a traveling area manager for Ferrari North America, Bill Thomas sees all kinds of exotic and one-of-a-kind vehicles on a daily basis. At his French-town, New Jersey-area drive-in, guys show off their hot rods, modified rides, and built-from-scratch machines. But when it comes time to stump the locals, Thomas fires up his rare 1970 Nissan Patrol and motors on down to the car scene.

In the early '50s Nissan built the rugged, go-anywhere work vehicle for the Japanese market. In the '60s it started exporting Patrols all over the world. Less than 3000 of these off-roaders made their way to the United States between 1962 and 1969. Most never made it farther east of the Rockies. While Patrols were manufactured in both 86.6- inch and 98.4-inch-wheelbase versions, it appears only the short-wheelbase trucks rolled off the ship in Los Angeles. A rare, 110.2-inch wheelbase was also made.

Built for strength and not beauty, the Patrol featured a boxed-section ladder frame, rugged suspension components and a durable three-speed transmission with a non-synchronized first gear. A 4.0-liter inline six with an oil bath air filtration system and waterproof ignition produced 145 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. With 3400 pounds of vehicle to haul, the Patrol's top speed was barely 75 mph. Gas mileage ranged between 13 mpg and 17 mpg.

Constructed to run in a variety of conditions, the Patrol offered complete knock-down capabilities. With a minimum of tools, the top and doors could be removed and the windshield folded flat against the hood for a full-fledged safari-truck look. The Patrol's option list included power takeoff, an auxiliary heater, deep-water fording intake snorkel, side and rear outside steps, a removable dash-mounted trouble light and a tool kit for serious wilderness duty.

Thomas is such a fan of this quirky SUV that the featured vehicle is the second Patrol he has owned. He ...