Motorsports fans point to one Japan Grand Prix as the
beginning of the Skyline legend: Suzuka,
1964.
Legend Nearly Lost
To qualify for the 1964 Japan Grand Prix, 100 units of the
production version of the Skyline had to be made. Prince Motor Company – the
original creator of the vehicle – met the requirement with only two days to
spare before the big race. If they hadn’t made the deadline, the Skyline legend
may never have been born.
Innovative Design
The Skyline GT was designed by Prince Motor’s chief
engineer, Shin’ichiro
Sakurai, who oversaw the Skyline’s progression from conception to the
seventh generation. Near the completion of the seventh generation, he fell ill
and called on another engineer to take his place.
Sakurai began as an engineer for Prince Motor Company and
embraced the Nissan takeover in 1966. He served as a dedicated Nissan employee
for decades and was eventually honored for his contribution when he was inducted
into the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame in 2005.
Beating the Odds
In 1964, the Skyline GTs lined up to challenge established
car brands from around the globe. What made the GT-II race so special at the
1964 Japan Grand Prix was the Skyline’s design. The second-generation model was
essentially a modified sedan with a longer nose and a straight-six,
triple-carbureted engine – unusual for a racing vehicle.
Yoshikazu Sunako, one of the original Skyline racers,
thought that the vehicle’s body balance and tire placement were unconventional,
but the vehicle proved to be special despite its perceived design flaws.
The Skyline didn’t beat the German-crafted Porsche 904
Carrera GTS, another late addition to the race, but it swept the competition by
coming in second through sixth place. The most iconic moment of the race for
many fans was when Skyline driver Tetsu Ikuzawa pulled ahead of the Porsche for
a single lap.
Inspiring the Future
The events at the 1964 Japan Grand Prix would inspire a
generation of Japan’s best motorsport racers and future Nissan executives.
Kazuyoshi Hoshino, veteran racer and one of Japan’s most cherished national
heroes, has said that the Skyline ignited his imagination and is the reason he
entered the world of motorsports.
Even though the Skyline GT didn’t win the 1964 Japan Grand
Prix, it did inspire the development of the Prince R3870 Series of vehicles
that bested the Porsche two years later.
The Evolution of the Skyline
The premier
performance-bred Nissan Skyline was introduced at the 1969 Tokyo Motor
Show. Themodel stayed true to its sedan appearance but boasted an inline-six engine and 160 horsepower.
Relying on a four-valve Dual Overhead Cam engine for power
and independent four-wheel suspension, the 1969 Skyline took major cues from
the Nissan Prince R380. The vehicle dominated Japan’s domestic touring races.
In its first three years of competition, it won 52 times.
1970 to 2000 Models
Year
|
Features
|
1970
|
The first two-door Skyline
was well received, but future production halted due to the global gasoline
crisis and move toward stricter emissions standards.
|
1972-1977
|
The C110/R30 generation had a successful and
versatile design. It was available in 26 variations, including a coupe,
four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and four-door wagon.
|
1986
|
The R31 was bigger and
boxier than previous models but rose to fame thanks to its “Red Top” Skyline
engine with red cam covers and the Nissan Induction Control System.
|
1989
|
The R32 Skyline was equipped with all-wheel
drive, 280 horsepower and the Nissan RB26DETT inline-six engine. A stripped
version of the R32 entered the 1989 Japanese Touring Car Championship and won
every race it started.
|
1993
|
Introduction of the R33.
|
1998
|
Introduction of the R34.
|
1999
|
Introduction of the R34
GT-R.
|
2001
|
Introduction of the R35.
|
American
Introduction
In 2008, Nissan dropped the Skyline name and officially
introduced the GT-R to American roads. The GT-R debuted in America with a
twin-turbo V6 engine with 473 horsepower and could go from zero to 60 mph in
under three seconds.
Eleven
generations and over 50 years later, the Nissan Skyline/GT-R remains a fan
favorite, and the legend of the Nissan Skyline lives on.
Experience the Nissan Difference
Whether you need the perfect car for a weekend road trip or
to expertly navigate traffic on your way to work, there’s a Nissan model for
you. At Neil Huffman Nissan of Frankfort, we want you to buy with confidence.
That’s why we’ll do whatever it takes to make your car-buying experience an
enjoyable one! If you’re looking for a Nissan dealership you can trust in
Frankfort and Lexington, Kentucky, choose Neil Huffman and experience the
Nissan difference.
See what we can do for you
by stopping by our dealership, checking out our new
inventory online or calling
844-339-0191 today!
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