- See also Nissan Skyline GT-R
The Nissan Skyline is an intermediate-size automobile range sold in Japan and other countries.
1952
The first Skyline was introduced in 1952, under the Prince marque in Japan.
The original ALSI series of 1952 featured a 1500 cc engine, De Dion rear suspension and was capable of 80 mph. It spawned pick-up truck and van lines called the Prince Skyway.
Nissan regards the first Prince Skyline as the ALSID-1 series of 1957. A new model, the BLSID-3 series, débuted in 1961.
1963
In 1963, the S50 series was launched. In 1966, Nissan and Prince merged and the S50 also appeared with Nissan Skyline badging. A 2000 GT model was added in 1964.
1968
The C10 series of 1968, probably developed by Prince, got Nissan badging. There was no Prince equivalent on the market. The following year, the GC10 got a longer front end to accommodate a two-litre engine.
1970s
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 Nissan Skyline GT-R hardtop arrived in 1973 but was not officially exported.
1977
The succeeding C210 and GC210 of 1977 continued to split the Skyline range into basic and six-cylinder models, the latter with a longer front end. The Datsun 240K variants continued for export.
1981
The names were brought into line with the Japanese home market with the launch of the DR30 series in 1981, which was built on a C31 Laurel platform.
1985
The HR31 Skyline of 1985 spawned a four-cylinder version in Australia called the Nissan Pintara.
1989
The BNR32 Skyline debuted in 1989, beginning the revitalization of the model. It would feature several potent version of the RB-series inline-six engines, plus an improved, twin-turbo model with ceramic turbochargers, all-wheel steering and four-wheel drive and 280 hp. The GT-R model soon earned the name Godzilla, for its impressive performance on the track.
1995
The BNCR33 Skyline continued the concepts introduced in the R32, and furthered them. 1995 saw the GT-R get an improved version of the RB26DETT, ATESSA-ETS four-wheel drive system, and Super-HICAS all-wheel steering. A limited edition model was created in 1996, called the NISMO 400R, which produced 400 hp.
1999
The BNR34 addressed many of the concerns over the change from the R32 to the R33, with focused emphasis on sportiness. In 1999, a revised chassis and incremental updates to the GT-R model proved once and for all that the R34 was one of the fastest all-around cars in the world. It has held many track records and won many JGTC championships.
2002
The Skyline is presently on its eleventh generation, the V35 series, which debuted in 2002, and is sold in the United States as the Infiniti G35.
External links
Skyline History at JBSkyline.net (http://history.jbskyline.net/)
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