Nissan Maxima History

The Nissan Maxima is an entry-level luxury car manufactured by Nissan, marketed as the "four-door sports car". The origins of the Maxima began in July 1976 as the Datsun 810, an upscale six-cylinder version of the Bluebird, and was spun into its own line in 1981, having been made continuously since then. The "Maxima" name was applied gradually, beginning in 1981. Most pre-2004 Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until the current North American Maximas started being assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee.

The "Maxima" has also been applied to Cefiros and Laurels in various markets.

Contents [hide]

1 1977–1980

2 1981–1984

3 1985–1988

4 1989–1994

5 1995–1999

6 2000–2003

7 2004–2008

8 2009–2014

8.1 2012

8.2 2013

8.3 2014

9 References

10 External links

1977–1980[edit]

Datsun 810

810Bluebird2d.jpg

Overview

Also called Nissan Bluebird 2000G6

Production 1977–1980

Body and chassis

Body style

2-door coupé

4-door sedan

5-door station wagon

Layout FR layout

Related

Datsun 280ZX

Nissan Bluebird

Powertrain

Engine

2.0 L L20A I6

2.4 L L24E I6

Transmission

4/5-speed manual

3-speed automatic

The Maxima model line began with the six-cylinder Nissan Bluebird 2000G6, which was available in the US as the Datsun 810 from February 1977. With a longer nose than the regular Bluebird, to accommodate a longer inline-six engine, it was powered by two versions of the SOHC L-series I6 engine: a 2.0 L displacement for the Japanese market and a 2.4 L24E unit (as found in the Datsun 240Z) for the US market. The Bluebird G6 used a carburetor for the base model and fuel injection for the sporty version. The 2.0 L engine was good for 122 PS JIS (90 kW), while the bigger American engine could reach 125 hp SAE (93 kW). The sporty version channeled power through a four-speed manual transmission for the sedan and wagon, five-speed transmission for the coupe. These cars were rear-wheel drive and had a semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The station wagon variant, only sold in North America, had the rear live axle for load carrying reasons. Some fuel injected versions had automatic transmissions.

The 2-door coupé version was introduced in North America in 1979 along with an exterior refresh, but a coupé version was never available in later 810/Maximas. The new Datsun 280ZX did not share much of the 810's chassis as thought, though the 810 was not available with that Z car's larger 2.8 L engine. The first use of the "Maxima" name happened on a domestic Japanese market luxury version of the Stanza, in August 1977.[1]

1981–1984[edit]

First generation G910 series

1st-Nissan-Maxima.jpg

Overview

Also called Datsun 810 (until 1983)

Production 1980–1984

Body and chassis

Body style

4-door sedan

5-door station wagon

Layout FR layout

Related Nissan Bluebird 910

Powertrain

Engine

2.4 L L24E I6

2.8 L LD28 I6 Diesel

Transmission

5-speed manual

4-speed Jatco L4N71B automatic

The first car to wear the Maxima name was introduced in 1980 for the 1981 model year. It was essentially a Japanese-market Bluebird 910 with a 3.9 in (99 mm) longer nose to accommodate the inline-six engine. The 810 Maxima was not sold in Japan. The car was offered as the 810 Deluxe or 810 Maxima that first year, and all 810s became Maximas for 1982. In 1984, the last year of the first generation Maxima, American Datsuns began carrying the "Nissan" badge as well (only 1984 Nissans have both "Nissan" and "Datsun" on the back of the car).

The Maxima's introduction to North America followed the successful introduction of the Datsun 240Z, and used the same engine and transmission while offering luxurious accommodations and four doors, with a station wagon added later.

Toyota responded to the introduction of the Maxima by giving the Toyota Mark II a more upmarket sibling, the Cressida.

The second generation retained the same base engine as the previous Datsun 810. It was also available with the LD28 OHC 2.8 L I6 Diesel engine (available in the US from mid-1981 through 1983) with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

Some of the power steering pumps were sourced from General Motors' Saginaw Gear division, while others were sources from Atsugi. This was the second Nissan to use US-sourced parts besides the Borg-Warner T-5 transmission used in the 82-86 Nissan ZX Turbos. The use of USA-made parts was phased in prior to the passage of local content laws imposed by the U.S. Government.

One interesting fact about this car is its phonograph-based voice warning system. Warnings like those for a door being open, etc. would be relayed through the mini phonograph and played for the driver to hear. A common thing to hear would be, "door is open, key is in ignition." 1981 models were the first 'talking car' sold in the US and offered only one voice warning, a female voice reminding the driver that the "Lights are on.".

1981 Datsun 810 Wagon

1985–1988[edit]

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