Story by Scott R. Lear and David S. Wallens
Although it didn’t hit our shores until recently, Nissan’s Skyline boasts a long history of innovation and performance.
1957-’63: chassis code ALSID
The Skyline began as an executive touring car offered by the Prince Motor Company, a Japanese auto manufacturer that existed from 1952 until its 1966 merger with Nissan. Power came from a 1484cc four-cylinder engine that made 59 horsepower, and the suspension featured double A-arms up front and a De Dion rear axle. A rare Skyline Sports variant (BLRA-3) wore a Michelotti body and had a 1.9-liter, 92-horsepower engine.
1963-’68: S50
The second-generation Skyline traded traditional American styling for a more contemporary look. Although the 1484cc engine remained standard, Prince offered a limited 2000GT model (S54) powered by a 162-horsepower, 1988cc inline-six engine lifted from the company’s Gloria sedan. While a Porsche 904 won the 1964 Japan Grand Prix, Skyline 2000GT drivers finished second through sixth.
1968-’72: C10
The first Skyline to wear a Nissan badge was also the first to offer a GT-R variant, which debuted a year after the base model. A high-performance DOHC 24-valve inline six pumping out 158 horsepower gave the 2470-pound GT-R impressive performance for the time, including a top speed of 124 mph and a quarter-mile time of approximately 16 seconds. The GT-R was competitive in racing right out of the gate, scoring a win at the 1969 Japan Automobile Federation Grand Prix.
1972-’77: C110
The regular fourth-generation Skyline debuted in November 1972, and just a few months later enthusiasts got the GT-R variant. This new 159-horsepower Skyline H/T 2000 GT-R was the first domestic Japanese car to come equipped with disc brakes at all four corners. Sadly, emissions regulations limited production of the 1973 GT-R to just 197 examples, and with no racing outlet due to the oil crisis, Nissan saw fit to temporarily retire the GT-R badge. The Skyline soldiered on with 1600, 1800 and 2000 series variants, and that last one could be had…
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