1957-2006 Nissan Skyline Review

C110

Skyline C211

The C110 generation was produced from 1972 through 1977. There were four versions of the car:

• 1600GT - 1.6 L G16 I4

• 1800GT - 1.8 L G18 I4

• 2000GT-X - 2.0 L L20 I6, 130 hp (96 kW)

• 2000GT-R - 2.0 L S20 I6, 160 hp (118 kW)

For export in the 1970s, the C110 and GC110 Skyline was sold as the Datsun K-series, with models such as the Datsun 160K, 180K and 240K.

The body styles were, once again, four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, and five-door station wagon. The C110 was fussier in its styling than its predecessor. This was the first version to feature the round rear lights typical of later Skyline designs.

The C110 Skyline was better known as the "Ken & Mary" or "Kenmeri" (ケンメリ) Skyline, stemming from the advertisement campaign in Japan at the time which featured a young couple (Ken and Mary) who relaxed and enjoyed the countryside in Ken and Mary’s Skyline (ケンとメリーのスカイライン). The ads were highly successful and perhaps as a result the C110 was a sold in very large numbers in Japan. It sold just as well in Australia, though few survive today. There, the 240K was about the same price as a Ford Falcon GT or BMW 5 series, around $5000

Skyline C211 Rear

GT-R

The Nissan Skyline GT-R hardtop arrived in September 1972 but only lasted until March 1973, when Nissan ceased production. The oil crisis saw many people preferring economy cars and high-performance sports cars were looked down upon. Nissan pulled out of Motor Racing, so there was no purpose to the GT-R. It was not officially exported anywhere, although Nissan contemplated exporting to Australia. Only 197 KPGC110 GT-Rs were ever sold in Japan, through specialist Nissan Performance shops (before it was called NISMO). This was the last GT-R for 16 years until the BNR32 in 1989.

The succeeding C211 and GC211 of 1977 continued to split the Skyline range into basic and six-cylinder models, the latter with a longer front end. This line continued through 1981. The Datsun 240K/280K and 240C/280C variants continued for export.

A rare variant would be the wagon version, which had a unique styling treatment behind the rear doors, of a much smaller window than usual between the C and D pillars.

The GT-ES replaced the GT-R with a turbocharged engine, the L20ET. This was the first turbo engine to power a Japanese production vehicle. One notable aspect of the turbo versions was that they were not intercooled and there was no form of blowoff valve, only an emergency pressure release valve.

• 1600TI - 1.6 L L16 I6

• 1800TI - 1.8 L L18 I6

• 2000GT - 2.0 L L20 I6, 130 hp (96 kW)

• 2000GT-EX - 2.0 L L20ET turbo I6. 140 hp (103 kW)

R30

Skyline R30

The names were brought into line with the home U.S. and Japanese markets with the launch of the FJR30 series in 1981, which was built on a C31 Laurel platform. The FJR30 was available as a four door sedans, a two door coupe, a 2800 cc diesel (4 door sedan only), a four door hatchback version and a 4 door wagon version. The wagon version was the ugly ducking of the range with different lights and no turbo or six cylinder versions available; it more closely resembled a Nissan Sunny than Skyline. In all, there were 26 variations. All versions with the exception of the wagon were usually fitted with the four round tail lights that had become a regular feature to the Skylines’ design. The 2 door version had pillar-less doors and the unusual feature of electric roll-down quarter windows for the rear seat passengers. The 4 door had traditional framed door windows.

Skyline R30 burnout

• 1800TI - 1.8 L Z18 SOHC I4, 105 hp (77 kW)

• 2000GT/EX - 2.0 L L20E SOHC I6

• 2800GT - 2.8 L L28E SOHC I6

• 2000GT-EX - 2.0 L L20ET turbo I6, 140 hp (103 kW)

• RS - 2.0 L FJ20E DOHC I4, 150 hp (110 kW)

• RS-X - 2.0 L FJ20ET DOHC turbo I4, 190 to 205 hp (140 to 151 kW)

• 2000GT-ES Paul Newman Version - 2.0 L L20ET turbo I6, 140 hp (103 kW)

Skyline R30 Rear

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 cam 4 cylinder turbo FJ20 or the single cam 6 cylinder turbo L20ET. 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. Nissan Glorias and Laurels also used the LT series engines as well as some diesel (Laurel only) variants. In Japan there are still dedicated "one make" drag racing for the FJ20 powered FJR30 Skylines.

Skyline R30 Hatchback

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R31