SKYLINE TO GT-R

  

THE EVOLUTION OF A SUPERCAR

The legendary Skyline, first introduced in 1957, was originally built by Japan’s Prince Motor Company. Production of the Prince Skyline lasted from 1957 until 1967, when Prince and Nissan merged. Today the Skyline is most recognized as the influential predecessor to the modern GT-R.   

                 
1957 PRINCE SKYLINE DELUXE

            NISSAN GT-R   

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THE FIRST SKYLINE

The first Prince Skyline was introduced in 1957, and was available in Japan until 1961. The Skyline was available as either a four-door sedan or a five-door station wagon, and it featured a 1.5L GA-30 engine.

      

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It wasn’t until 1964 that the first racing GT Skyline was introduced in 1964, still under the Prince Motors flag. The introduction of the GT Skyline really marked the Skyline’s shift from sedan to race car. 

      

THE FIRST GENERATION NISSAN SKYLINE   

In 1966, following the merger of Prince and Nissan, the Skyline finally became a Nissan. 
It wasn’t until 1969 that the first performance-bred Skyline was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show.

              

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The first generation Nissan Skyline was available from 1969-1972.

NISSAN SKYLINE TAKES TO THE TRACK

That 1969 version of the Skyline was a touring car like no other.  Taking cues from the Nissan Prince R380 racing prototype, it  relied on a four-valve Dual Overhead Cam engine for power and  four-wheel independent suspension for its remarkable handling.

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The R30 was a successful and remarkably versatile design,  available as a coupe, four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and  a four-door wagon. 

R31 SKYLINE GTSR (1985-1987)

1986 saw the introduction of the R31. It was a little bigger and  boxier than previous models, and was the first to get the famous  "Red Top" Skyline engine with red cam covers and the Nissan  Induction Control System.

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R32 SKYLINE GT-R (1989-1994)

The Skyline had been through many phases, but it was in 1989  that the real precursor to the GT-R of today was introduced. The  R32 Skyline had all-wheel drive and the famed Nissan  RB26DETT inline six that pumped out 280 horsepower.

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R33 SKYLINE GT-R (1995-1998)

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R34 SKYLINE GT-R (1999-2002)

The R34 Skyline GT-R was introduced in 1998, and was  available from 1998-2002. A technologically advanced display  unit set the model apart, while it’s RB26DETT twin-turbo I6  engine produced an impressive 327 hp.

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NISSAN GT-R (2007 - PRESENT)

In 2008, the GT-R finally, officially, landed on American roads.  Nissan dropped the Skyline name and dropped in a twin-turbo  V6 that put out 473 horsepower and propelled the coupe from  zero to 60 in under three seconds. It wasn’t your normal car  introduction though. Overnight, the GT-R became a legend—a  car that could not only compete with, but outperform legendary  American muscle cars and German and Italian supercars.

     

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