First of all, please excuse my poor English. Actually, i don't use any website to translate Japanese to English. 'Cause, i wanna express through my own words.
in 1975, nike started to promote the sale of products to college students. Untill then, the sales were mainly for general runners. It means poor variations of 'color.' The products of the early age were mainly three colors, red, blue, and white.
At that time, Nike noticed what college students want. Traditionally, the colleges in U.S.A have their own collor. For example, as you guys know, Univ. Oregon's color is green x yellow, and so on. Then, Nike started to make colorful cortez.
It is the "special" nylon cortez.
It is said that special nylon cortez were sold in 7 colorways, yellow green, green yellow, black orange, blue yellow, orange white, and red silver. However, strictlly speaking, it is wrong. Because the catalogue said that the red x yellow (USC) and blue x yellow (UCLA) are merely 'nylon cortez.' But who cares about it? I care,though. lol
The ones upper picture are both made in Japan. But all 7 colorways were made in both Japan and U.S.A. Astonishingly, the both cortez were sold in same place at the same time. We can say obviously the two shoes, i mean Japan made and USA made, are quite different shape and quality.
It contains 'cursive' logo on its outsole.
As you see, the ones made in Japan have skinny swoosh and thick out sole. On the other hand, the ones made in USA contains "fat" swoosh and thin outsole.
When we think about to 'wear' the shoes, i really recommend made in Japan ones. Because they are still confortable to take on.
They were sold in one year or so. Furthermore, were sold at limited shop. That's the reason why it's really hard to find.
special thanx Mr. ravanelli