1st & 2nd Generation Maxima (1981-1984 and 1985-1988)Learn more and share information about the 1st and 2nd Generation Maximas.
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I have been waiting for 15 years to see if a '81 Datsun 810 Deluxe ever crossed my path. It has gone long enough, and I give up trying to know....Did they even make them (for the U.S.)? The 810 Deluxe was the base model and the 810 Maxima was the top of the line. The '81 810 brochure shows info on the 810 Deluxe and the 810 Maxima. I have never seen one....ever! Those of us reading this forum are the last of the breed that has any interest in the first gens, so I figure you are the ones to ask.
Did they ever sell the 1981 Datsun 810 Deluxe in the U.S.?
That info on the wiki site is canned (and bad) info. It came from some book or was based on someone's assumptions since the Deluxe appeared in the brochure. I have read that, but it isn't real or correct information. I want to see proof that a '81 810 Deluxe was sold in the U.S. I have never seen one and I believe that Nissan USA planned to offer the Deluxe, but demand for the higher priced (i.e. more profitable!) Maxima was so great that there was no reason to start importing them and the idea went away.
Remember that there were stout import restrictions in those days. Most Datsun dealers only had a couple of each car on the lot and if you wanted anything specially equipped, or a certain color, you had to have them order it from the factory. My Grandpa bought my Maxima new and he told me that the dealership only had 5 or 6 Maximas on the lot in the spring of '81. He wanted the dark brown color but they had none, so he settled for the copper color (which I like better) because he didn't want to wait for a special order car to arrive. My parents bought a new '83 Accord and '84 Civic and had the same problem. They had to order the car. I'm not talking any special orders here, just basic stuff like color and transmission type. The early '81 Maxima had no options available except what the dealer could tack on like floormats or rustproofing. No diesel or leather were available and everything else from the sunroof to alloy wheels were standard equipment. That meant that when the dealer ordered an early '81 Maxima, the only option was: which color to choose.
Back then, manufacturers knew the all-new models would sell well with lots of equipment, so the low-optioned cars never hit the dealership for several months. I think that the loaded Maxima sold so well...and kept selling as fast as they could import them, that there was no reason to offer the low-end Deluxe model.
Prove me wrong! I want to see sales data (or something) that proves they sold 1981 810 Deluxe cars in the U.S.
I'd check with the oldest nissan dealer you can find in your area, and find the cat that has been working there the longest, even if it's the parts guy. Anybody who has been there at least 20 years would know for sure.
Lol, Don't need to do that. All the Diesel Models sold in the US from 81-83 were Deluxe Models. Hence, the Diesels, had no Tach, Oil Pressure, or Voltage Gauges.
Lol, Don't need to do that. All the Diesel Models sold in the US from 81-83 were Deluxe Models. Hence, the Diesels, had no Tach, Oil Pressure, or Voltage Gauges.
This doesn't make sense. Your suggesting that the diesel equiped cars are not Maximas, but the lower-end 810 Deluxe. Anyway, the diesel was not available until the last half of the '81 model year so why would the early '81 brochures show a Deluxe model even though it wasn't near production yet?
Thats kinda like asking if theres an 2007 GXE maxima. Sure they could have a trim package named "GXE" but they dont need it as their current 2 (I think thats all there is, not in the market for a new car...) different packages fill the need.
Basically they could get X number of cars fast. So they were all "maxima" trim on the 810 chassis, since thats what sold.
The diesel option is equivalent to a 5 speed option in something like a ford focus*. If you want the 5 speed you have to give up alot of cool features like power mirrors/windows and even a tach. You want a diesel 810/maxima you have to give up all those cool features that make it a "maxima" trim, therefore its an 810. But since its been maxima ever since, we all just call it a maxima right?
Any way thats my point of view with only minimal research....
~Alex
*just an example Im not exactly sure on the package options except for the tach. Lots of them didn't have a tach for some stupid reason...
This doesn't make sense. Your suggesting that the diesel equiped cars are not Maximas, but the lower-end 810 Deluxe. Anyway, the diesel was not available until the last half of the '81 model year so why would the early '81 brochures show a Deluxe model even though it wasn't near production yet?
Good thought...lets keep it going....
That's right, because that is how they were. The diesel could be called the 810 deluxe, because it came equipped just like the 810 deluxe gas model, with the only exception, being the engine of course. So to answer your question, Nissan/Datsun did sell an 810 Deluxe, it had a diesel engine.
This talks about the 810 Deluxe as an '81 model only. It still leaves me wondering if the 810 Deluxe was really built or just planned to be built.
Edmunds.com doesn't seem to have it all straight either. The 810 was consider more over the "zero" generation of the Maxima. The 1st gen maxima is more considered a 910. This comparison is like comparing the Volvo 700 series to the Volvo 900 series. The platform is the same, but the car looks different.
Not that it helps any, but I think I remember seeing one new on the lot- my Dad & sister both bought new Datsuns in '81, a truck & a 310, we spent some time at the dealer- I was only 15, but a total car guy- As I recall the 810 was light blue with a 5-speed- I still have the brochure! Wish I had the car!
Edmunds.com doesn't seem to have it all straight either. The 810 was consider more over the "zero" generation of the Maxima. The 1st gen maxima is more considered a 910. This comparison is like comparing the Volvo 700 series to the Volvo 900 series. The platform is the same, but the car looks different.
S
I agree.... Of course Im bias.... Volvo's been in the family since I was like 2 or 3 years old. But it gives the same concept
Q
__________________ Shift_PRND21 1995 BLK/BLK SE: Warpspeed superflo y-pipe, Tokico Illumina Suspension Kit,
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17x7 ADR SZ1 rims, red laquered calibers, Nexen N3000 tires,
Smoked Diamond clear turn signal lens,
AE Headlights/clearance lights/foglights, rewired fogs
Edmunds.com doesn't seem to have it all straight either. The 810 was consider more over the "zero" generation of the Maxima. The 1st gen maxima is more considered a 910. This comparison is like comparing the Volvo 700 series to the Volvo 900 series. The platform is the same, but the car looks different.
S
You are only part correct, and a small part at that. Even though Nissan's body code for all Maximas was 910, the official name of the car in 1981 was Datsun 810 (Maxima is not part of the model name, just an option package). My dealer supplied repair manual that was bought from the dealer when the car was new (I have the receipt) refers to the car as a Datsun 810, but inside shows the technical code name of 910 in smaller print. When I order repair parts for my '81 Maxima, I must tell the man behind the counter that it is an "810". Maxima appears no where in any parts listings at Nissan or other aftermarket suppliers of repair parts. It took me a while to figure this out when no one could find an entry for 1981 maxima. My trunk lid also labels the car with a chrome "Datsun 810" badge on the left side and has another badge on the right side that says "Maxima". The owners manual also calls the car a Datsun 810.
Say what you want, but don't fool yourself in thinking that the early Maximas were not 810's. They were and it was the official name of the car. I have a copy of the original 1981 Missouri state title to prove it. Shall I go on?
It may have been labeled as a 910 in it's home market and other export markets, but not in the U.S.
Edmunds.com doesn't seem to have it all straight either. The 810 was consider more over the "zero" generation of the Maxima. The 1st gen maxima is more considered a 910. This comparison is like comparing the Volvo 700 series to the Volvo 900 series. The platform is the same, but the car looks different.
S
You are only part correct, and a small part at that. Even though Nissan's body code for all Maximas was 910, the official name of the car in 1981 was Datsun 810 (Maxima is not part of the model name, just an option package). My dealer supplied repair manual that was bought from the dealer when the car was new (I have the receipt) refers to the car as a Datsun 810, but inside shows the technical code name of 910 in smaller print. When I order repair parts for my '81 Maxima, I must tell the man behind the counter that it is an "810". Maxima appears no where in any parts listings at Nissan or other aftermarket suppliers of repair parts. It took me a while to figure this out when no one could find an entry for 1981 maxima. My trunk lid also labels the car with a chrome "Datsun 810" badge on the left side and has another badge on the right side that says "Maxima". The owners manual also calls the car a Datsun 810.
Say what you want, but don't fool yourself in thinking that the early Maximas were not 810's. They were and it was the official name of the car. I have a copy of the original 1981 Missouri state title to prove it. Shall I go on?
It may have been labeled as a 910 in it's home market and other export markets, but not in the U.S.
Correct. 77-81 were called Datsun 810. 82 and later first Datsun Maxima then Nissan Maxima. When Datsun name disappeared from US, this is when Nissan's problems started.
Thought I'd bring up this dead post to see if any new visitors have any answer to my original question. Did Nissan ever sell any 1981 "Datsun 810 Deluxe" models in the U.S? They are listed in the brochure, but I have NEVER seen one. They all seemed to be "Datsun 810 Maxima".
I see what you're getting at... It's a little confusing.... I have an 82' with a 02/82 build date. it's a gas L24E, auto trans, non-deluxe, high vin # (not really a low count vin) and the owners manual has the title of 810, 910 and maxima on it. the original title is loooonnnngggg gone by now, so I can't go off that. and to say the car's name is whatever the original title says isn't always correct either. I know that from 82' til whenever, the deisels were labeled as " deluxe " models, I 've never seen a GAS motor maxima with the deluxe name attached to it. as for the 81's, I'm just not sure, I thought they weren't called maximas until 82' . I've heard rumors that a VERY select handful of WAGONS came with the gas motor and the deluxe name for dealers samples, but I've yet to see one. I've seen that only the deluxe deisel SEDANS also got the rear luggage rack on the trunk lid, something the non-deluxe sedans didn't have. the 3-speed auto and the the 5 speed trans was available with both motors though. my share of 1st gen knowledge...
actually, I saw on the back of my car that it has a GRUBBS outline on it, from where it had their dealer decal on the back... I was reading on the grubbs nissan / infinity site that they had started the datsun dealership in bedford tx back in 78 or 79... and the person I bought my car from, I looked at the title before I got it in my name, and it shows the previous owner before him lived in bedford tx.... hmmmm, a phone call to grubbs nissan is in short order! I was wanting to ask them about my car in particular, but now, I'll ask if anyone there if they would know about the 80-83 history......
I'd suggest checking out the JNC forum and do some digging / asking there too: (I'm registered there too, under the same screenname)
ill put my 2 cent.. i've read an artical once (forgot wear) and it from wat i recall the 910 was sold in the us it was the the 810 2 door coupe. it was sold for like a year or a year 1/2 in 1978. from wat i recall the cope had was sold as 810 or 910 in the us. in other markets it went as the 910.. my 2 cents..
ill put my 2 cent.. i've read an artical once (forgot wear) and it from wat i recall the 910 was sold in the us it was the the 810 2 door coupe. it was sold for like a year or a year 1/2 in 1978. from wat i recall the cope had was sold as 810 or 910 in the us. in other markets it went as the 910.. my 2 cents..
This thread was never intended to become a 910 vs 810 discussion. The original 810 Sedan and Coupe came to the U.S. in '77 and lasted til '80. For '81 it was restyled and was still called "Datsun 810" Every '81 Maxima had a trunk lid badge on the passenger side that read "Datsun 810". On the drivers side of the trunk lid is read "Maxima". End of discussion. For '82, the officual name became "Datsun Maxima". All physical reference to "810" was gone for '82.
The 910 designation was used overseas and as an internal (to Nissan/Datsun)body type designation like "C-body" or F-body" over at Chrysler or GM.
My question is: Did any of the '81s have "Deluxe" on the trunk lid instead of "Maxima" as suggested in the early '81 Datsun 810 brochure? Keep in mind that this brochure makes no comment about a diesel because the diesel did not come out until the mid-1981 model year.
I also own an australian version of this catalog and it calls them all "Datsun Bluebird". No reference to "910"
ooooooooohhhhhh I get what you're asking now... took me a few reads to get it. here's what I think happened:
1. the coupes came here to the us as 810 coupes (derived from the 610 / 710 coupes), for the sedans, they named them simply 810 sedans, and some of them got the deluxe name / package, UNTIL 1981, for that year only, both the coupes and the sedans were labeled ONLY as 810s, no mention of deluxe. the deluxe may have been an option for 81' , but as stated in this thread before, datsun dealers only had a handful of cars at any given time. and with the extra cost of the deluxe package / name, I don't many people opting for it.
2. another thing, that year in particular was an extremely difficult one.... they were nearly going broke from what I've read, they even went to manual steering box style on the 80'? or 81'? 280zx cause it was cheaper, funny cause all the other z cars had at least a regular rack and pinion...
3. all this could be wrong, but I've yet to see a gas motor DELUXE, and as you stated, the diesel came along in mid 81' , you may have a brouchure that says the deluxe was available, but it might of failed to mention that it would also have to be a diesel, there, the relevance of my diesel remarks becomes clear.
hope this helps, I'm gonna be calling Grubbs nissan tomorrow for some deeper digging....
Lol, Don't need to do that. All the Diesel Models sold in the US from 81-83 were Deluxe Models. Hence, the Diesels, had no Tach, Oil Pressure, or Voltage Gauges.
this isn't true, my owners manual shows the diesel instrument cluster and I can gaurantee that at least the 1982 diesels did have all those things. I'd be willing to bet that all the other years of the diesel maximas had it the same too. actually, the diesel had a more intricate dash and instrument cluster than the gas ones did, more things to monitor. my owners manual shows the diesel having a WATER CANISTER GAUGE, telling you when it's full and when it needs to be emptied...
you are correct though. as far as I know, the diesels ONLY got the deluxe name attached to them.
, telling you when it's full and when it needs to be emptied...
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