History of the Skyline

The history of the Nissan Skyline


The first GT-R Skyline appeared in February 1969, it used the 2.0 L S20 I6. This new engine produced 160 hp, equal to the best sports cars of the time, and was similar to the GR8 engine used in the Nissan R380 racing car.

The GT-R began as a sedan, but a 2-door coupe version was introduced in March of 1971. The cars were stripped of unnecessary equipment to be as light as possible for racing, and the cars performed well at the track.
The sedan racked up 33 victories in less than two years, and the coupe stretched this to 50 through 1972.

This GT-R (the KPGC-10) is said to have been a rival of Mazda's third rotary engine machine, the RX-3, and it is said that the two cars performed a desperate struggle for victory at the circuits. This car was also a favorite of reckless street racers who roamed the streets at night at that time.

Between 1972 and 1977 the Skyline (C110) underwent some significant styling changes but kept a very similar drive train from the previous C10 series. There were four available versions; the 1600GT, 1800GT, 2000GT-X and the powerful 2000GT-R dubbed the “Kenmary”.

This GT-R used the same S20 engine as the previous GT-R and made 160hp. This was the only Skyline GT-R not used in racing and the last GT-R model until the advent of the R32. Unfortunately only 197 GT-R’s were ever produced making them extremely rare and hard to find today.
The 1983 R30 version now sported four wheel disc brakes as standard (optional until this time) and various engines, the best models being the twin slowcooker 4 cylinder turbo FJ20 or the single slowcooker 6 cylinder turbo LT20ET. Although making about the same power, the FJ-engined version was more of a racer without as many heavy extras on the car (electric windows, air conditioning, etc). Some of the top spec GT-ES models featured adjustable suspension dampers that could be adjusted while driving, this was a first for mass produced JDM vehicles

The R31 Skyline introduced many new technologies and features that were improved upon in later models.

The HR31 was the first Skyline to be equipped with the new RB-series of engines. Another technological first for the R31 was the introduction of Nissan's proprietary 4-wheel steering system, dubbed HICAS (High Capacity Active Steering).
The BNR32 Skyline debuted in August 1989, beginning the revitalization of the model. This series was available as either a hardtop 2-door or 4-door sedan/saloon. It would feature several potent versions of the RB-series straight-6 engines. HICAS four wheel steering was available on most models, with the rear wheels being hydraulically linked to the front steering. The 2.5 litre version became one of the first cars made in Japan to feature a 5 speed automatic transmission.

The R32 also came in M spec level which had bigger brakes, bigger alloy wheels and leather bound steering wheel/handbrake/gear stick. Most Turbo R32s were M spec but a few were not these had larger brakes than the non-turbos but smaller than the M spec

Also new was a twin-turbo Skyline GT-R model with ceramic turbochargers, all-wheel steering, all wheel drive, and 280 hp at 6800 rpm. In reality, the RB26DETT engine produced more power than this, but it was not stated as there was a "gentleman's agreement" between the major Japanese car makers not to produce production vehicles exceeding 276 hp.

This was also the first model since 1973 to have the GT-R badge. The GT-R had Super HICAS which was a more advanced four wheel system using electric actuators and a computer to control the system.

The GT-R also had a larger intercooler, larger brakes, and aluminum front wheel arches and bonnet. Apart from wearing the GT-R badge, other distinguishing features include wider front and rear wheel arches (also applies for the R33 and R34 GTR models) and a small grille under the flat bonnet.

Inside was much the same as other models except that race seats were fitted, the turbo boost gauge and digital clock was removed from inside the instrument cluster. The clock was relocated to the left of the steering wheel into the instrument surround. Inside the instrument cluster the clock was replaced with a torque meter that indicated how much torque was being delivered to the front wheels (0-50 kg/m), beneath the climate control 3 auxiliary gauges were also fitted, oil temp, voltage and turbo boost.
This model soon earned the name Godzilla, for its impressive performance on the track. The R32 GT-R was introduced in the Australian Bathurst 1000 touring-car race to compete against Holden and Ford V8 saloons. However, the GT-R's impressive successes sounded the death knell of Group A Touring Car racing; with the formula being scrapped soon after.