They may not bring top money but are still very much in demand. RWD sedan/saloon cars will still be sought after by enthusiasts simply because of their name. It was based on a 2.6L inline-six that was made famous thanks to its use in the R32, R33, and R34 Skyline GTRs.Īlthough not all Skylines came equipped with top-of-the-line features, they are still popular. But by far, the most iconic engine is the RB26. A modern-day R35 comes with a 3.8L twin-turbo V6 and upwards of 600 HP from the factory. The mighty Skyline has come a long way since it was unveiled nearly 70 years ago. Looks are one thing, but being able to hold your own when it comes to horsepower and handling is just as important. Its instantly recognisable body lines, iconic round tail-lights featured in the R32-up generations and numerous media appearances have all helped build the cult-like following it has today. It featured AWD, an engine that is extremely tuner friendly, and weight distribution that rivals some of the best exotic cars of the time. What is there not to love? In its final form, the R32 GTR is nothing short of iconic. The Nissan Skyline’s rise in popularityĪfter the Skyline gave Porsche a run for its money back in the day, the Japanese public realised that the mighty Nissan is a force to be reckoned with.įast forward a few decades and the R32 is unveiled to the world. Although most were not available in North America, enthusiasts drooled over them as they were forever immortalised in films such as Fast and The Furious. Since then, Nissan has helped keep the skyline brand alive by undergoing no less than 13 generational changes.
Although the automaker used the PG110 code, many argue that it was the first time the GTR made an appearance. The once boring sedan was given a performance injection which slowly but surely helped pave the path for what the Skyline has become today.ġ969, the year that Nissan added the Skyline to their lineup, was also the first time enthusiasts saw the once boring sedan get a high-performance brother. Instead, the focus was to have a relatively cheap and reliable family car with a fuel-efficient 1.5L engine.Īll that was thrown out the window when the Skyline name was taken over by Nissan. Back then making an extremely capable car was not a priority. It may come as a surprise to some but the very first Skyline was a 4-door sedan/saloon or an optional wagon made by the Prince motor company (which later merged with Nissan). Of course, when we think about the Skyline, chances are that we are envisioning an R32, R33, and R34 generation. Nissan produced the very first Skyline in 1957 and has since then undergone a total of 13 generational changes. But, how much do you actually know about the car and its legendary heritage? Quick history of the Nissan Skyline If you are even remotely familiar with Japanese Domestic Market cars, the legendary GTR from Nissan has been permanently engraved in your mind.Įverything from its iconic body style to it’s legendary engine which so many have come to love is proof that the ’90s was the best time for JDM enthusiasts. The Skyline, or Godzilla as it is affectionately known, is the quintessential JDM car.