The Evolution of the Nissan and Datsun Badges Since 1951

Logos tell stories – they are the emblems we become so familiar with that seeing them becomes a mental shortcut to knowing a product is high-quality and something we recognize.

Alternatively, they can become tarnished by mis-steps or changing market preferences — when a badge can be caught in a past world that does not reflect current brand aspirations.

Most of all, however, they aim for consistency. Put a Nissan badge on a refrigerator — and your brain will like that fridge if you are a Nissan fan. Or if not like it, you will at least give it the benefit of the doubt based on your knowledge of other products from that mark.

This van arrived in 1937. Called the NISSAN.

 

The Nissan badge and emblem has been relatively drama-free in its evolution. So modest a firm that the logo does not really appear on the first few generations of cars from the 1920s and 1930s when Nissan got its start with the Gorham buggies.

The round crest badge we know today has been a consistent part of the brand iconography since only a few years after the 1983 US-market change-over from Datsun to Nissan.

NISSAN BADGE EVOLUTION

1959

1960

 

1967

 

 

1983

 

 

1988

 

 

1989

1990

1992

2001

Present

 

 

DATSUN BADGE EVOLUTION

1951

1963

1965

1970

1972

1973

Present