The fun begins at 21 - Got classic status?

[OwnerCS]

While browsing some antique car sites and reminiscing about some classic car club meets in the past, I started thinking about how my Q will look in the (not so far away) future with an antique car license tag. Oh man!

Next I found where the Chevy Impala V-8 (rear drive) SS from 1994 through 1996 has already been identified as a classic. Say what?

Is the first generation of our beloved Infiniti vehicles ready to roll into a classic status?

After looking around I think some car clubs designate classic status to some "interesting cars" once they pass the 20-year mark.

So wouldn't our first generation Qs be worthy of at least an "interesting" designation to say the least? I think so and more....

There are possibly some benefits to growing old beyond discounted movie tickets:

1) Antique Car Tags -in some states it is a "buy one tag for life" lowered license fee.

2) Exempt from annual state vehicle (emissions) inspections and taxes -- due to #1.

3) Lower insurance costs for higher replacement/repair coverage. Also, there may be some insurance companies that place classics in a special low and risk rate pool. How many people wreck their classic cars each year?

4) Our beloved Qs are no doubt the "senior cars" from the Infiniti/Nissan product line up. There are some classic car clubs that only allow membership to owners of the "senior car" models.

Here's to bounce this topic off the group to see how other members feel about turning 21 and then on to 25 and beyond.

BTW - Hats off and many thanks to our buddy Wes for the Q45.org web site. :-)

[qship96]

up yil now, Japanese cars have struggled to obtain true classic status and to command top dollar for old vehicles- the only true "classic" jap car that has caught the eye of collectors has been the low production{ around 350 total made} toyota 2000 GT from the late 1960s....google it to see a pix. The early Datsun 240z could possibly become another, although their trading prices are relatively low due to too many having been produced and too many ragged out and modified with aftermarket cosmetic and go fast parts. Q will have a difficult time becoming a true valuable classic due to it being a 4 door and again, too many available currently....and considering it was not ever really popular when new.

[Infinitiguy19]

N/A

[OwnerCS]

As a side note, I once attended a "week long" car club meet that was held at a college campus in upstate Cazenovia NY. This car club is soon to be 60 years old. I believe a couple of the charter members are still in the club. I have heard stories about people getting the cars for free when the club was founded. Today some of the cars are worth well over $100,000.

For your entertainment.

Here's a picture of the club's second meeting in 1952.

http://www.franklincar.org/52hhfc.htm

Here's a picture of the club's 51st annual meeting in the slide show below.

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll11 ... =slideshow

[qship96]

In Massachusetts I can count the number of Q45's ((G50) 1990-1996, (FGY33) 1997-2001 and (F50) 2002-2006) on my Hand NOT HANDS

Not shocked to hear many surviving g50 up there, the salt and winters pretty much destroy all older cars in states where it is used, including mine. As for the newer Q, not that many sold, and in wealthier areas, not many like to drive older lux. cars.....head out to cal/ Arizona and you daily see old cars in good condition that you never see anymore in the salty states.....tons of old datsun 240-280 z and other forgotton cars.

[OwnerCS]

It looks like several Q45s are on their way to salvage and/or the crusher at the following link. I would like to have a parts car. I actually have room in a barn (with electricity) to store it. My problem is getting it shipped from an auction location here. Actually Copart has an auction location not far from me. It would be great if you could buy one and specify a delivery location and let them ship it within their system.

Here's an idea -- we put together a list of things we would like to buy from a part out and the price we would pay for the components. Locate a candidate vehicle -- do a cost to part buyer weigh in. Maybe we can find a member in the local area to check out the candidate vehicle. I would buy one, store it, and part it out if I had a way to handle the transportation and shipping part. Sounds like an opportunity for a swap meet to me..

Ideas?

Here's a link to a bunch of Q45s in the Copart yards.

http://www.copart.com/c2/homeSearch.htm ... erZipCode=

It kind of makes me sad to see all those Q45s on their way to the scrap crusher.

[paranoidjack]

In Massachusetts I can count the number of Q45's ((G50) 1990-1996, (FGY33) 1997-2001 and (F50) 2002-2006) on my Hand NOT HANDS

I'm pretty sure you're joking Paul, but I know of at least 3 Q's on Cape Cod (and all FGY33's).

[Infinitiguy19]

N/A

[BLACKonBLACK98]

i think that the g50 will someday get the respect it deserves. maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday...

[OwnerCS]

Before I dash off to start mowing 3 acres of yard this afternoon, here are a few questions that members of our club might know.

1) Did any movie stars (rising or falling included) own a G50 in the US?

2) Was the Nissan President in Japan owned by any famous Japanese people?

3) Have any world leaders owned a G50 or President?

4) What was the name of the advertising (and marketing/consulting) company that developed the original (infamous) Infiniti commercials?

5) Who were the people from those advertising/marketing companies who had a role in the the original "stealth marketing" campaigns?

6) Who at Nissan (or US advertising company) decided to connect the G50 with a Q-ship?

7) What happened to the person or persons at Nissan who approved or sponsored the initial "stealth marketing" campaign?

8) Does anyone have any other historical artifacts or interesting stories about the Q45 that we can document to tell the whole story?

For example, did you know that Henry Ford II really didn't like the name Thunderbird and nearly forced the product marketing department to name it the Sportsman?

[BCC93QT]

Honestly, I and this guy i know have the only G50's in berkshire county, which is like all of western MA. I saw a 92 up for sale on craigs list but the body way beat theres a Y and an F floating around but they both have significant bumper damages

[OwnerCS]

I found a cool article written about Buying A $43000 Car Used at the following link.

Hey I thnk we know this Q and owner. Spot on article if you ask me..

http://www.epinions.com/review/auto_Mak ... 0511026820

Also --- could our first generation Qs be paying homage to the designer of the following famous hood cap? Any simularities?

[NightRiderQ45]

Yeah the 94-96 Impala is a classic car. I love that body style and if you can get your hands on a 96, you really have something! Those cars especially the 96 holds it's value...something that NO Infiniti model will ever do; well with the exception of the 2 door G35/7. Those hold their value a little better.

[OwnerCS]

I found this design sketch at www.carbodydesign.com

[Infinitiguy19]

1) Did any movie stars (rising or falling included) own a G50 in the US?

2) Was the Nissan President in Japan owned by any famous Japanese people?

6) Who at Nissan (or US advertising company) decided to connect the G50 with a Q-ship?

1) I read on the early NICO (2002-2005) That there was Cosby (Bill?) FGY33 (1997-2001) Q45.

2) I am pretty sure some heads of state were driven in a Nissan President

6) All I know is that there was NICO member who's NICO user name was Qship and of course Qship96. But I assume there referring to the fact that the car huge.

[OwnerCS]

Thanks Paul for the information. To me it seems with senior car classics that have a unique look, all common logic and reasoning goes out the window.

Here's some info about one of Ford Motor Company's "senior cars" from the mid 1950s that was purchased by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Dwight Eisenhower, Spike Jones, Nelson Rockefeller, Henry J. Kaiser, Barry Goldwater, Louie Prima, and the Shah of Iran.

Can you imagine people paying for a Ford "senior car" that carried a price tag that, at the time, would buy a new Rolls Royce or two new Cadillacs?

The Ford product had a unique look that some people couldn't stand and others really liked. I think our Qs have a unique look that definately sets them apart from the competition.

This particular car is on sale for $59,900.00 in St. Louis.

[Q45tech]

Every Q owner should have a flatbed truck in their fleet, for picking up parts cars and helping RWD Lexus and especially MB owners.

[OwnerCS]

Every Q owner should have a flatbed truck in their fleet, for picking up parts cars and helping RWD Lexus and especially MB owners.

or to transport our favorite vehicles across the country to your shop for the exceptional maintenance and repair work that you and your team deliver.

[OwnerCS]

I'm sure most here already know this, but I found the information interesting. From the lineage chart in the link below, it looks like our G50s originated from the Prince.

From the chart it looks like the President (50) series originated with Prince Motorcars before it was acquired by Nissan in 1966.

The company changed its name to Prince in 1952 to honor Prince Akihito's formal investiture as Crown Prince. In 1954 they changed their name back to Fuji Precision Industries, and in 1961 changed the name back again to Prince Motor Company.

Merger with Prince Motor Company

In 1966, Nissan merged with the Prince Motor Company, bringing more upmarket cars, including the Skyline and Gloria, into its selection. The Prince name was eventually abandoned, and successive Skylines and Glorias bore the Nissan name. "Prince," however, is still used in the names of certain Japanese Nissan dealerships. Nissan introduced a new luxury brand for the US market in 1989 called Infiniti.

Reference Links

http://press.nissan-global.com/COMMON/H ... chart.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan#Mer ... or_Company

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Motors

I suspect Prince built the President in 1965 to be the "Ultra Prince" or the "most senior" of the product line up designed for royalty, famous industrial people, and important political figures. I bet Japan's economy was starting to take off around 1965 due to Sony and other electronic exports.