Some time ago, I this unusual brass car badge came into my possession and I decided only recently to do some digging to see if I could ascertain it’s origins. After some fruitless searching using the conventional methods such as Google, I resorted to using Japanese search engines with the help of the excellent translator at OCN. Finally, after much translating back and forth, Japanese search engine Goo brought forth the answer. Surprisingly it’s not from some kind of national Datsun enthusiasts club as the name would imply…
As far as I can tell, Nippon Datsun Club was founded way back in 1959 and is still going, however as I mentioned, it’s not a large enthusiasts club, it’s actually a small club of around 40 members run by Kanagawa Nissan for owners/drivers of Nissans bought from Kanagawa Prefecture dealers. It seems that in the old days the club was much bigger and the events more car orientated although it appears it’s now more of a small social club. Here’s a couple of pictures found on Kanagawa Nissan’s website. On the left, a rally and campfire from August 1959 and on the right a New Years drive in Southern Kyushu in January 1972…
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who knows a little more about the NDC. I believe the badge would have originally been chrome plated and enamelled in white so in time I will try to get it restored as it would look great on the grille of my Datsun WP312 estate. I am still curious to know the story as to how this badge ended up here in the UK!
i love vintage photos of cars lining up for fisco …
Yeah, it’s a shame the pics weren’t a little bigger!
osome! were can i get a badge like that, old school rokss