1957-2006 Nissan Skyline Review

2000GT

Skyline 2000 GT-X

The following year, the GC10 2000GT received a 2.0 L (1998 cc) L20 I6 engine. The chassis was already designed to receive a straight six, to avoid the S54 extension problem. 105 hp (78 kW) was available from this new engine.

The first GT-R Skyline appeared in February 1969. Called the PGC-10 (KPGC-10 for later coupe version) internally and Hakosuka (ハコスカ) by fans. Hako (ハコ) means Box in Japanese, and suka（スカ） means Skyline (スカイライン; Sukairain). It used the 2.0 L (1998 cc) S20 I6. This new engine produced 160 hp (119 kW), 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.

The KPGC-10’s main circuit rival was the Mazda RX-3. By mid-1972 the RX-3 had surpassed the GT-R, ending the winning streak. The GT-R was also a favorite of reckless street racers who roamed the streets at night at that time.

It is claimed that the art of drifting began among Japanese racers when they purposely engaged their emergency brakes as a way to counter understeer on their GT-Rs. One such driver who was known for this was the Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya.

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