Recently, during a visit to a familiar showroom in Ho Chi Minh City, I had the opportunity to chat with a renowned car collector in Vietnam. Known worldwide for his impressive collection of nearly 800 vehicles, valued at approximately $170 million, he surprised many by driving a rather modest car.
The vehicle in question is a Nissan Cedric, likely from the 7th generation, with the Y31 code. Produced from late 1987 to 1991, this model was designed for personal use and offered in both Sedan and Hardtop versions. It was one of Nissan’s most popular models during Japan’s booming economy, just before the asset price bubble burst in mid-1991.
Many expected him to drive a Bugatti Veyron, Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren Senna, or Ford GT, or at least a Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Aston Martin supercar. Instead, he chose a humble Nissan Cedric, worth only a few hundred thousand dollars.
This Nissan Cedric features a black exterior with all original details intact, including the hood mirrors, headlights, taillights, rims, and interior. Its standout feature is the prominent UN logo on the black paintwork, previously in black. The interior includes two of the owner’s essentials: a coffee holder and a cigar ashtray.
Thanks to Project 901, this Nissan Cedric generation adopted a more rounded design, emphasizing luxury amenities and optional features. The trim packages mirrored the previous generation with some updates.
The top-tier Hardtop trim was the V30 Turbo Brougham VIP, followed by V30E Brougham VIP, V30 Brougham, V20 Twincam Turbo Brougham, RD28 Brougham, Classic SV (V20E or RD28 engine), Classic (V20E or RD28 engine), V20 Twincam Turbo Grand Turismo SV, V20 Twincam Turbo Gran Turismo, and V20E Gran Turismo.
The sporty Gran Turismo trim featured shorter front and rear bumpers with a body kit and a 2.0-liter VG20DET engine, replacing the previous Urban/Urban X engine. The former SGL and GL trims were renamed Classic.
The Y31 Sedan received minor updates when the Y32 Hardtop was introduced and continued production until 2015 for Japan’s rental and taxi markets.
Sedan trims included V30 Turbo Brougham VIP, V30E Brougham VIP, V30E Brougham, V20 Twincam Turbo Brougham, RD28 Brougham, Classic SV (V20E or RD28 engine), Classic (V20E or RD28 engine), and Supercustom (V20E or RD28 engine).
The Brougham VIP offered three tech upgrade levels (I, II, III), while the Brougham had two packages for both Sedan and Hardtop. A limited extended-wheelbase version was produced by Autech.
The extensive options list included a Sony CD player with JBL speakers, a rear humidifier, and a fixed steering column with a phone dial pad and handset in the front armrest. The “acoustic suspension” was replaced by an optional MacPherson strut suspension with internal air chambers and lower control arms.
Standard suspension included MacPherson struts for the front and coil springs with shock absorbers for the rear. The hands-free car phone allowed dialing via the steering column keypad.
In June 1989, the VG20DET-powered Nissan Cedric introduced the world’s first electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, Jatco 5R01. The engine’s power increased from 185 to 210 PS with an intercooler.
The Y30 Cedric wagons and vans continued production alongside the Y31 Sedan and Y32/Y33 Hardtop. The final wagon ceased production in August 1999, succeeded by the Nissan Presage.
In August 1999, the 6-cylinder diesel engine was updated to the cleaner and slightly more powerful RD28E with electronically controlled fuel injection. The fleet-use Sedan debuted in 1991, with the Y31 fleet model ending production in 2015 after a 2012 update.
The Joy of a YouTuber: Ecstatic Tears for a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, a Dream Car Come True.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing had been Tyler Hoover’s dream car since he was a boy. When the opportunity arose to purchase this classic, he didn’t think twice, trading in his Bugatti Veyron for a slice of automotive history. This Mercedes, over 70 years old, is now the pride of his collection.
“Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Gets a Sporty and Expensive Wheel Upgrade”
The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is an iconic car that set speed records, but some customization shops might have forgotten about this beast. However, Anrky Wheels certainly hasn’t forgotten; they remember the Veyron Super Sport’s legacy and are determined to keep its spirit alive.
The Ultimate Porsche 918 Spyder: A Billionaire’s Ride Spotted in Cambodia
This is one of the unique cars with a Cambodian number plate owned by this entrepreneur. Interestingly, this Porsche 918 Spyder has been spotted on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City multiple times earlier this year.
The Ultimate Muscle Car: Ford Mustang GT V8, a 5.0L Powerhouse
The Ford Mustang GT is a rare sight on Vietnamese roads, with a price tag of around 3 billion VND for a pre-owned model. This iconic car is a favorite among enthusiasts with deep pockets, who are willing to shell out for its powerful performance and sleek style.
The Ultimate Supercars Linked to Phan Cong Khanh, the Newly Indicted “Supercar Kingpin”
Once upon a time, when Phan Cong Khanh owned two supercar showrooms in Binh Chanh and District 1, he caught the attention of many with his penchant for importing limited-edition and expensive supercars to Vietnam. Some of these exotic vehicles were so exclusive that they couldn’t even be driven on public roads.
