Nissan unveils a classic “Hardbody” version of the Frontier
Nostalgia has become a very lucrative phenomenon for automobile manufacturers. As proof, certain iconic models from the 1980s and 1990s have made a comeback in recent years, the Acura Integra and the Lamborghini Countach, in particular. Other manufacturers, like Nissan, draw on nostalgia to concoct new models. This was also the case with the very last generation of the Z, which draws inspiration from all the generations that preceded it.
It seems like Nissan want to go even further with this strategy, because it has just lifted the veil on a special edition of the Frontier. Called Hardbody this van pays homage to the iconic Nissan van marketed during the 1980s.
From Datsun to Nissan
The Nissan Hardbody, also known by purists by its code name D21, is a Japanese pickup truck which has proven very popular and, above all, extremely lucrative for the manufacturer.
Not only did it signal the change from Datsun to Nissan in North America, but it sold here over a period of 12 years, from 1985 to 1997. Elsewhere in the world, such as in Mexico, this model even was sold until 2008. Today, the Hardbody is recognized as having been one of the most robust Japanese pickup trucks of its time. Like its main competitor Toyota, the Nissan pickup has built a solid reputation for reliability and solidity, while being inexpensive to maintain.
To pay tribute to him, Nissan therefore saw fit to add a special edition to its range. No, this is not the simplistic van of 30 years ago, but rather an aesthetic package reminiscent of its ancestor. In fact, it is a Frontier SV double cab, powered by the 3.8-liter V6 engine and whose power is 310 horsepower and torque, 281 pound-feet.
The most recognizable styling elements are the front end, the black fender surrounds as well as the black stripe that extends across the tailgate. An anti-roll bar installed directly in the body, like a 4×4 inscription on its sides, written in a font typical of the 1980s, accentuate the retro look.
But it is above all its 17-inch rims which are directly inspired by its ancestor which really add an area of nostalgia to the vehicle. Off-road tires and skid plates, taken straight from the Pro-4X version, give this special edition a little more off-road capability.
For our market?
Now, will we be entitled to this special edition? At the time of writing, Nissan Canada had not made any announcement on the subject. Rather, it is a vehicle announced by the American division of the manufacturer. According to Nissan Canada, the manufacturer has “no information to share for Canada at this time”. We will therefore follow this loan file and come back to you with more details if Nissan intends to sell it with us.
