<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 20, 1997
REGISTRATION NO. 333-1664
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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NISSAN AUTO RECEIVABLES
1997-A GRANTOR TRUST
(IN WHICH THE CERTIFICATES REPRESENT UNDIVIDED INTERESTS)
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NISSAN AUTO RECEIVABLES CORPORATION
(ORIGINATOR OF THE TRUST DESCRIBED HEREIN)
DELAWARE 9999 33-0479655
(PRIMARY STANDARD (IRS EMPLOYER NO.)
(STATE OR OTHER INDUSTRIAL
JURISDICTION OF CLASSIFICATION CODE
INCORPORATION OR NUMBER)
ORGANIZATION)
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990 W. 190TH STREET
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA 90502
(310) 719-8013
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
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JOY CROSE, ESQ.
NISSAN AUTO RECEIVABLES CORPORATION
990 W. 190TH STREET
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA 90502
(310) 719-8024
(NAME, ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE
NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES TO:
DANIEL METTE, ESQ. DAVID MERCADO, ESQ.
WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
767 FIFTH AVENUE 825 EIGHTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10153 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
(212-310-8000) (212-474-1000)
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable on or after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, please check the following box. [_]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPOSED
MAXIMUM PROPOSED
OFFERING MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF SECURITIES AMOUNT TO BE PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
BEING REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT OFFERING PRICE FEE
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asset Backed Certificates,
Class A........................ $755,564,579 100%(1) $755,564,579 $229,000.76(2)
</TABLE>
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2) Of this amount, $229,000.76 has been previously paid.
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<PAGE>
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with the
offering described in this Registration Statement:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission fee............................. $228,958.96
Rating agency fees................................................. 210,000.00
Printing expenses.................................................. 50,000.00
Accountants' fees.................................................. 50,000.00
Fees and expenses of Trustee....................................... 10,000.00
Blue Sky fees and expenses......................................... 10,000.00
Legal fees and expenses............................................ 125,000.00
Miscellaneous expenses............................................. 4,041.04
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Total............................................................ $688,000.00
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</TABLE>
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Set forth below are certain provisions of law and of the Certificate of Incor-
poration of Nissan Auto Receivables Corporation. The general effect of such
provisions is to provide indemnification to officers and directors of such cor-
poration for actions taken in good faith. In addition, set forth below are the
indemnification provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides as follows:
145. Indemnification of Officers, Directors, Employees and Agents; Insurance--
(a) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed ac-
tion, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or inves-
tigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partner-
ship, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually
and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or pro-
ceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presump-
tion that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed ac-
tion or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, em-
ployee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corpo-
ration, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against ex-
penses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him
in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indem-
nification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation
unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in
which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circum-
stances of the case,
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<PAGE>
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such ex-
penses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corpora-
tion has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any ac-
tion, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this
section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and rea-
sonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (un-
less ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as autho-
rized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the
director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because
he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a)
and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made (1) by the board
of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who
were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quo-
rum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested di-
rectors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or
(3) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred by an officer or director
in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action,
suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertak-
ing by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it
shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by
the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including at-
torney's fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon
such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appro-
priate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed ex-
clusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or ad-
vancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in
his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
such office.
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partner-
ship, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability as-
serted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out
of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power
to indemnify him against such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall in-
clude, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corpora-
tion (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolida-
tion or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have
had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees
or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of such constituent or is or was serving at the request of such
constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of an-
other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the re-
sulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such con-
stituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; reference to "fines" shall include any ex-
cise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan;
and reference to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include
any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer,
employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its partici-
pants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a man-
ner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and
beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in
a manner "not opposed to the best interest of the corporation" as referred
to in this section.
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<PAGE>
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized
or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, offi-
cer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of their heirs, exec-
utors and administrators of such a person.
Article Five of the Certificate of Incorporation of Nissan Auto Receivables
Corporation provides as follows:
"(a) A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fidu-
ciary duty as a director, except for liability
(i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation
or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve inten-
tional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.
If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended after approval by the
stockholders of this Article Five to authorize corporate action further
eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the lia-
bility of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation law, as so
amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of paragraph (a) of this Article Five by the
stockholders of the corporation shall not adversely affect any right or
protection of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such
repeal or modification.
(c) (i) Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made
a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise (hereinafter a "pro-
ceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or
she is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer or employee
of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer or employee of another corporation or of a partner-
ship, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with re-
spect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is
alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or employee
or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or employee,
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest
extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same ex-
ists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment,
only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide
broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to
provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss
(including penalties, fines, judgments, attorneys' fees, amounts paid or to
be paid in settlement and excise taxes imposed on fiduciaries with respect
to (i) employee benefit plans, (ii) charitable organizations or (iii) simi-
lar matters) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection
therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a director, officer or employee and shall inure to the benefit
of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that
the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in
connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person
(other than pursuant to subparagraph (c)(ii) of this Article Five) only if
such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors
of the corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this subpara-
graph (c)(i) of Article Five shall be a contract right and shall include
the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending
any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however,
that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, the payment of such
expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a di-
rector or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is
rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final
disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the corpo-
ration of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or
II-3
<PAGE>
officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be deter-
mined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under
this subparagraph (c)(i) of Article Five or otherwise.
(ii) If a claim which the corporation is obligated to pay under subpara-
graph (c)(i) of this Article Five is not paid in full by the corporation
within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation,
the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation
to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in
part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prose-
cuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an
action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertak-
ing, if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) that the
claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible un-
der the Delaware General Corporation Law for the corporation to indemnify
the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense
shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (in-
cluding its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockhold-
ers) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action
that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because
he or she has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the corpo-
ration (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of
conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the
claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(iii) The provisions of this paragraph (c) of Article Five shall cover
claims, actions, suits and proceedings, civil or criminal, whether now
pending or hereafter commenced, and shall be retroactive to cover acts or
omissions or alleged acts or omissions which heretofore have taken place.
If any part of this paragraph (c) of Article Five should be found to be in-
valid or ineffective in any proceeding, the validity and effect of the re-
maining provisions shall not be affected.
(iv) The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in
defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in
this paragraph (c) of Article Five shall not be exclusive of any other
right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-Law, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
(v) The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect it-
self and any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or an-
other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liabil-
ity or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(vi) The corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the
Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and rights to be paid
by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in ad-
vance of its final disposition, to any agent of the corporation to the
fullest extent of the provisions of this paragraph (c) of Article Five with
respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors,
officers and employees of the corporation."
Section 7 of the Underwriting Agreement provides as follows:
(a) The Seller shall indemnify and hold each Underwriter harmless against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several to which such
Underwriter may become subject, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of
or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus,
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, and will
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<PAGE>
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably in-
curred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending
any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are in-
curred; provided, however, that the Seller will not be liable in any such
case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises
out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in
or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished to the Seller by any
Underwriter through J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as representative of the
several Underwriters (the "Representative"), specifically for use therein;
and provided, further, that the Seller shall not be liable to any Under-
writer or any person controlling any Underwriter under the indemnity agree-
ment in this subsection (a) with respect to any of such documents to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of the Underwriters
or such controlling person results from the fact that such Underwriter sold
the Class A Certificates to a person to whom there was not sent or given,
at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Pro-
spectus or of the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented (excluding
documents incorporated by reference), whichever is most recent, if the
Seller has previously furnished copies thereof to such Underwriter.
(b) Each Underwriter shall indemnify and hold harmless the Seller against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Seller may become
subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of
or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus,
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but
only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Seller by such Underwriter
through the Representative specifically for use therein, and will reimburse
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Seller in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses
are incurred.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regula-
tory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either
of the two preceding paragraphs, such person (the "Indemnified Party")
shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought
(the "Indemnifying Party") in writing of the commencement thereof, but the
omission to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve it from any
liability which it may have to any Indemnified Party otherwise than under
such preceding paragraphs. In case any such action is brought against any
Indemnified Party and it notifies the Indemnifying Party of the commence-
ment thereof, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other Indem-
nifying Party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with coun-
sel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party (who shall not, except with the
consent of the Indemnified Party, be counsel to the Indemnifying Party) and
after notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof and after acceptance by the In-
demnified Party of counsel, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to
such Indemnified Party under this Section for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the de-
fense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party and the Indem-
nified Party shall have mutually agreed to the contrary or (ii) the Indem-
nifying Party has elected to assume the defense of such proceeding but has
failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Indemnified Person. It is understood that the Indemnifying Party
shall not, with respect to any action brought against any Indemnified Par-
ty, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm (in addition
to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Parties, and
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<PAGE>
that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed within a reasonable pe-
riod of time as they are incurred. Any separate firm appointed for the Un-
derwriters and such control persons of Underwriters in accordance with this
subsection (c) shall be designated in writing by the Representative, and
any such separate firm appointed for the Seller, its directors, its offi-
cers who sign the Registration Statement and such control persons of the
Seller in accordance with this subsection (c) shall be designated in writ-
ing by the Seller. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any set-
tlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if set-
tled with such consent, with respect to an action which the Indemnifying
Party was notified of and had the opportunity to participate in (whether or
not it chose to so participate), the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify
any Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of
such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an
Indemnified Party shall have requested an Indemnifying Party to reimburse
the Indemnified Party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by
the fourth sentence of this paragraph, the Indemnifying Party agrees that
it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without
its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60
days after receipt by such Indemnifying Party of the aforesaid request and
during such 60 day period, the Indemnifying Party has not responded thereto
and (ii) such Indemnifying Party shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified
Party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the In-
demnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened pro-
ceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified
Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such In-
demnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such proceeding.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party under the subsection (a)
or (b) above, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits re-
ceived by the Seller on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from
the offering of the Class A Certificates. If, however, the allocation pro-
vided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable
law, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to such amount paid or
payable by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the
Seller on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Seller on the one hand and the Underwrit-
ers on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total
net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the
Seller bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by
the Underwriters. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a ma-
terial fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Seller or by the Underwriters and
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportu-
nity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount
paid by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to in-
clude any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified
Party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim
which is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding the provisions
of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any
amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Class
A Certificates underwritten by it and distributed to the public were of-
fered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Under-
writer has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or al-
leged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 (f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Under-
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writers' obligations in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the Seller under this subsection shall be in addi-
tion to any liability which the Seller may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and the obliga-
tions of the Underwriters under this subsection shall be in addition to any
liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each director of the Seller,
to each officer of the Seller who has signed the Registration Statement and
to each person, if any, who controls the Seller within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) Exhibits:
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
1.1 --Form of Underwriting Agreement.**
3.1 --Certificate of Incorporation of the Seller (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
the Seller's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-47413).*
3.2 --By-Laws of the Seller (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Seller's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-47413).*
4.1 --Form of Pooling and Servicing Agreement among the Seller, the
Servicer, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation and the Trustee.**
4.2 --Form of Custody and Pledge Agreement between the Seller and the
Custodian.**
5.1 --Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP with respect to legality.**
8.1 --Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP with respect to tax matters.
10.1 --Form of Purchase Agreement between NMAC and the Seller.**
10.2 --Form of Yield Supplement Agreement among the Seller, the Servicer
and the Class A Agent.**
23.1 --Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included as part of Exhibit
5.1).**
23.2 --Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included as part of Exhibit
8.1).
</TABLE>
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* Incorporated by reference.
** Previously filed.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules:
Not applicable.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters
at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such de-
nominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 14 above, or other-
wise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for in-
demnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the regis-
trant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person
of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer
II-7
<PAGE>
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been set-
tled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as ex-
pressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such is-
sue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this reg-
istration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of pro-
spectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) un-
der the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-8
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT HAS
DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT #4 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS
BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF TORRANCE
AND STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ON THE 20TH DAY OF OCTOBER 1997.
Nissan Auto Receivables Corporation
/s/ Yoichiro Nagashima
By:___________________________________
(YOICHIRO NAGASHIMA, PRESIDENT
AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS)
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT #4
TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATE INDICATED.
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
/s/ Yoichiro Nagashima President, Chairman
- ------------------------------------ of the Board of October 20,
YOICHIRO NAGASHIMA Directors and 1997
Director
(principal
executive officer)
/s/ Katsumi Ishii Treasurer,
- ------------------------------------ Assistant October 20,
KATSUMI ISHII Secretary and 1997
Director
(principal
financial officer
and principal
accounting
officer)
/s/ Joy M. Crose Secretary and
- ------------------------------------ Director October 20,
JOY M. CROSE 1997
II-9
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE
------- ----------- ----
<C> <S> <C>
1.1 --Form of Underwriting Agreement.**
3.1 --Certificate of Incorporation of the Seller (filed as Exhibit
3.1 to the Seller's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No.
33-47413).*
3.2 --By-Laws of the Seller (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Seller's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-47413).*
4.1 --Form of Pooling and Servicing Agreement among the Seller, the
Servicer, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation and the
Trustee.**
4.2 --Form of Custody and Pledge Agreement between the Seller and
the Custodian.**
5.1 --Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP with respect to
legality.**
8.1 --Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP with respect to tax
matters.
10.1 --Form of Purchase Agreement between NMAC and the Seller.**
10.2 --Form of Yield Supplement Agreement among the Seller, the
Servicer and the Class A Agent.**
23.1 --Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included as part of
Exhibit 5.1).**
23.2 --Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included as part of
Exhibit 8.1).
</TABLE>
- --------
* Incorporated by reference.
** Previously filed.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.1
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
A Limited Liability Partnership Including Professional Corporations
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153-0119
(212) 310-8000
(212) 310-8007
October 20, 1997
Nissan Auto Receivables Corporation
990 West 190th Street
Torrence, CA 90502
Re: Nissan Auto Receivables 1997-A Grantor Trust Asset Backed
---------------------------------------------------------
Certificates
------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Nissan Auto Receivables Corporation (the
"Seller") in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement
(Registration No. 333-1664) filed on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 21, 1997, as amended to the date hereof (the "Prospectus").
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
In so acting, we have examined originals or copies, certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Prospectus, a draft of the
Agreement, a draft of the Purchase Agreement, a draft of the Custody and Pledge
Agreement, and a draft of the Yield Supplement Agreement, and such corporate
records, agreements, documents and other instruments (the aforementioned
documents together, the "Documents"), and have made such inquiries of such
officers and representatives of the Trust and such other persons, as we have
deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth.
In such examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted
to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents
submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, the authenticity of the
originals of such latter documents, the genuineness of all signatures, and the
correctness of all representations made therein. (The terms of the Documents are
incorporated herein by reference.) We have further assumed that the final
<PAGE>
Nissan Auto Receivables Corporation
Page 2
executed Documents are substantially the same as those which we have reviewed
and that there are no agreements or understandings between or among the parties
to the Documents with respect to the transactions contemplated therein other
than those contained in the Documents.
Based on the foregoing, subject to the next succeeding paragraph, and
assuming full compliance with all the terms of the Documents, we confirm the
opinions included in the Prospectus under the caption "Federal Income Tax
Consequences," insofar as such statements constitute matters of law or legal
conclusions and except to the extent qualified therein, are correct in all
material respects.
The foregoing opinion is based on current provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder, published pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service, and case
law, any of which may be changed at any time with retroactive effect. Further,
you should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the Internal
Revenue Service or the courts. We express no opinion either as to any matters
not specifically covered by the foregoing opinion or as to the effect on the
matters covered by this opinion of the laws of any other jurisdictions.
Additionally, we undertake no obligation to update this opinion in the event
there is either a change in the legal authorities, in the facts, including the
taking of any action by any party to any of the transactions described in the
Documents pursuant to any opinion of counsel as required by any of the Documents
relating to such transactions, or in the Documents on which this opinion is
based, or an inaccuracy in any of the representations or warranties upon which
we have relied in rendering this opinion.
We consent to the references in the Prospectus under the caption
"Federal Income Tax Consequences" to our firm. This opinion may not be used for
any other purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
