Origins

     Most see the Skyline as the import street tuner with 20 gears and unlimited NOS from Major Motion Pictures, while others see the car as the fastest vehicle in their video game. But where did it all start? The answer may surprise you.

       Skylines originate from an aircraft company. In 1924, Ishikawa Shipyards established a side company called Ishikawajima Aircraft Manufacturing Company. After creating quality training aircraft, the Japanese Imperial Army took interest in the company, gained authority over it, and renamed it Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd. Some famous aircraft created as a result were the Ki-9 and Ki-36.

The Tachikawa Ki-36, used extensively in WW2 as a Kamikaze Aircraft

        At the end of WW2 when Japanese surrendered to Allied forces, the production yards of Tachikawa Aircraft Company were ravaged by bombs and siezed by the American military. The company didn't disappear however, and took on another name and purpose: Fuji Precision Industries. The company's subsidiary branch, Tokyo Electro Automobile CO., produced The Tama, an electric powered 4.5 HP vehicle with a top speed of 21 mph. It came in the form of a car or truck.

1947 Tama Electric car

image courtesy of Nissan News

     In 1951, the company merged with the more famous Prince Motor Company, and on April 24th, 1957, produced the first Skyline. The Prince Skyline ALSI-1 series was marketed as a luxury vehicle, and had a 1.5L GA-30 engine (used in the first Subaru 1500 prototype) that produced 60 horse power at 4,400 rpm. The vehicle had a top speed of 87mph, weighed 2900 pounds, and came in standard and Deluxe packages. From 1957 to 1966, the Prince Skyline went through many drastic changes, from a family centered station wagon to a Sport Convertible BLRA-3.

The first Skyline, ALSI-1, from Prince Motor Company

GFDL and cc-by-sa-2.5,2.0,1.0

      In 1966, Nissan and Prince Motor Company merged, and produced the first Nissan Skyline, the S50. With a new face lift, the S50 was sold as Prince Skyline, PMC A150, or Prince A150, for specific markets. 1968 marked the significance of the "Prince" name no longer being used, and the C10 Skyline was introduced with the Nissan Badge. The C10 also introduced dual tail light units on both sides, an iconic symbol of the modern Skyline we know and love today. 

      The first GT-R was introduced in February of 1969. Between 1969 and 1972, this iconic car was produced for Japanese touring car racing. With an inline 6 S20 producing 160 hp, this GT-R, coined Hakosuka (Box Skyline), won 33 touring race victories in just 1 and a half years, surpassing European competition. 

1972 Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

image courtesy of Uncrate

      In 1972, the Skyline GT-R stopped production and was not reintroduced until 1989; however, several other vehicles carried on the skyline badge. The C110 Skyline from 1972 to 1977 was exported as the Datsun K-series Skyline. The C110 was the first car produced with round dual unit tail lights, the setup still used today. Since the C110 was strongly advertised for export sale, Nissan came out with an advertisement campaign featuring two Americans named Ken and Mary. When said the other way, Mary/Ken, their names sound like American, a clever ad not seen by most. Though the ad campaign didn't seem to work for exportation to America, it did increase sales in Japan as well as Australia. Between 1977 and 1989, Nissan produced more modern and economical Skylines, including the C210 2000 GT-EX, R30, and R31. 

     In 1981, the R30 Skyline brought about the boxier Japanese look, and more closely resembles the skylines today. With Standard Air conditioning, cassette stereo, digital clock, and 5 speed manuals, the R30 modernized the Skyline brand and improved profits for Nissan. A run off of the R30, called the DR30, was a lighter, more powerful version, and had a cult following due to its performance. Named "Iron Mask" due to its new front end look, the DR30 was entered into several touring races and repeatedly finished in the top 5. This new performance began a slow return back to the GT-R traits.

1983 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 RS Turbo 

image courtesy of Nissan

In 1986, the R31 was introduced, and was the 7th generation of Skyline. Keeping the skyline looks, the R31 subtly evolutionized with boxier lines and a slightly larger body. R31 Skylines were the first to be equipped with the RB engines, the RB20. Named Red Top due to the red cam covers, the RB20 was a modern engine with an advanced ECU, 24 valve dual overhead cam (DOHC), and Nissan Induction Control System (NICS) injection. Later versions used ECCS engine management and a larger turbocharger. Another technology introduced by Nissan in the R31 was HICAS, a 4 wheel steering system used for improved lane change at higher speeds. A racing version of the R31, the GTS-R, had a reworked RB20DET and with tuning could make over 430 hp.

R31 GTS-R Skyline

image courtesy of DS Team

In 1989, Nissan introduced the R32 Skyline. Coming in 2 door and 4 door versions, the R32 sold as the GXi, GTE, GTS, GTS-25, GTS-4, GTST, GTST Type M, and, to the excitement of Skyline fans, the GT-R. The R32 GTST came with a refined RB20DET, known commonly as the silver top. Some export R32's came with lesser known RB30's. But the biggest advancement was in the GT-R. With a larger bore, increased cooling channels, twin turbos, and several other advanced features, the RB26DETT pushed the GT-R up to 310hp and did 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Nissan advertised the car as only having 276hp due to a "gentleman's agreement" modesty deal with other manufacturers, but the horse power was actually higher.

After winning 29 straight races from 29 starts, the GT-R won every Japanese Touring Car Championship from 1989 to 1993. It also won all 50 races it entered in the N1 Super Taikyu from 1991 to 1997 (The last years from the R33). This incredible performance brought about the R32's name "Godzilla." It did so well in racing, that it ended the Ford Sierra Cosworth's winning streak. A higher performance version was introduced, called the Nismo Skyline GT-R.

R-32 GT-R racing in the Japanese Touring Car Championship

image courtesy of  Nissan Global

In 1993, the R33 was debuted, and most commonly came with the RB25, a larger engine with Variable Inlet Cam Phasing (NVCS) and upgraded ECU. The R33 GT-R kept the powerful RB26DETT, and in 1995, Nissan improved the RB26DETT further. Though not as successful in racing as the R32 since other manufacturers stepped up their game, the R33 dominated the Japan Grand Touring Car Championship until finally defeated by the Mclaren F1 GTR. 

The R33 GT-R V-SPEC

Nissan upped its game further in 1998, introducing the R34. WIth an improved engine, the RB25 NEO, the R34 was more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. The R34 GTR was built in 1999, and had high performance N1 twin turbos, improved RB26DETT, and a high-tech computer system featuring a dashboard display showing various engine stats. Varients of the GT-R, including M-spec and V-spec Nür, added even more advanced technology, such as ripple control shock absorbers, and Super Taikyu N1 spec engines. August 29, 2002, marked the end of the Skyline GT-R, and the R34's became increasingly sought after.

R34 V-Spec Nür

Image courtesy of Performance Drive