1991 Nissan NoMAD

This blue on blue beast has been in the family for around 15 years, with the past 5 years spent sitting patiently in the backyard for somebody to bring some life into it. That somebody is me, with my decision a couple of months ago to get it on the road and driving again.

Since then, I’ve fitted new tyres on it, and got a new battery. Things to do in the near future include a roadworthy inspection and give it a major service, with a new air, fuel and oil filter, new spark plugs and new brake pads.

Powering this monster is a Carbureted Z24, a 2.4L I4 petrol engine with an astonishing 106 HP and gut-wrenching 186 Nm of the finest Japanese torques! And yes, it is mid-engined. I literally rest my arm on the engine. Yes, it is Rear-Wheel-Drive, and yes it does skid. 0-100KM/h probably couldn’t be measured with a stopwatch it’s too quick! The retro graphics straight outta 1991, blue-on-blue colour scheme and black steelies instantly triple power and torque!

Handling is phenomenal, pulling almost 10G around the bends! The dent on the left sliding door was caused by the bodywork not being able to cope with the insane cornering speeds of it. Just watch this commercial from 1988 to see for yourself!

Comfort is comparable to a Rolls Royce Phantom, Bentley Mulsanne or Mercedes 600 Pullman. It is extremely advanced, with the rear seats able to be folded down flat to transform into a comfortable king-sized bed, all you need is a mattress and you have the most comfortable bed your body has ever experienced! To pull a slightly-in-context quote from Clarkson: “Not even a Maybach has this!”

You probably know this thing as the Van, Vanette Largo and Urvan. I’ve come to realise that these are quite rare in the States, as most of them either blew up or caught fire, had to be recalled and then crushed. This prime example has had no such troubles, and after 325 Thousand KM’s it still runs strong without problems!