1957-2006 Nissan Skyline Review

The first Skyline was introduced in April 1957, under the Prince marque, and was marketed as a luxury car. It featured a 1.5 L (1482 cc) GA-4 engine producing 44 kW (60 hp). It used a de Dion tube rear suspension and was capable of 140 km/h (87 mph). The car weighed around 1300 kg. Prince Skylines were produced as four door sedans and five door station wagons.

The Skyline also spawned pickup truck and van lines called the "Prince Skyway."

The Skyline was updated with quad headlights for 1957. This model was powered by a slightly altered 1.5 L engine known as the GA30 OHV (1484 cc) producing about 60 hp @ 4400 rpm and was produced through 1961. This is the first four round headlight car design in Japan)

S50 or BLSID

In 1961 Fuji Precision Industries changed its name to Prince after the 1954 merger, and the S50 series was launched. This was the second generation car, and became one of the more desirable cars in Japan. It was powered by the G-1 engine, a 70 hp (52 kW) version of the old GA-4. An 1862 cc engine was also available, delivering 91 hp.

The S50 was further developed with new styling for 1963, and was sold in some markets with an A150 designation.

In 1966, Nissan and Prince merged and the S50 also appeared with Nissan Skyline badging. This model lasted in production through 1967.

The Skyline Sport featured hand-built Michelotti bodies in stylish coupe and convertible versions. These cars used the 1.9 L (1862 cc) GB-30 engine, producing 83 hp (61 kW). Only a few were built.

Prince created a racing GT Skyline In May 1964. It was based on the S54 and used the larger 6-cylinder G-7 engine from the Gloria S40, though the engine bay needed an 8" extension welded in to fit the straight six. When it entered the 2nd Japanese Grand prix they hoped to win the GT-II class. Competitive against the Porsche 904, the Skyline managed 2nd through to 6th places.

Largely due to the success of their race vehicle, the Prince 2000GT (also called GT-A, GT-B, S54A and S54B) was released to the Japanese market. There were two versions produced:

• S54A - 1988 cc G-7 single-carb I6, 106 hp (78 kW)

• S54B - 1988 cc G-7 triple-carb I6, 127 hp (94 kW)

The B model featured three Weber 40DCOE-18 carburetors, a limited slip differential, 5-speed manual transmission, and power brakes. Both the B and A used front disc brakes with dual pistons.

The S50 Skyline was updated to become the S57 in 1967. It used a Nissan engine, the OHC 1.5 L (1487 cc) G15. At 88 hp (66 kW), it was the most-powerful engine in the Japanese 1500 cc class.

The C10 series of 1968, probably developed by Prince, got Nissan badging. There was no Prince equivalent on the market. It used Nissan’s 1.5 L OHC G15 I4 like the S57. A 1.8 L G18 version was also available.

A station wagon variant was offered in this generation. A hardtop coupe was introduced in 1970.

Skyline ALSI-2

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2000GT