1989 Nissan Skyline GTR

The Prince Motor Company introduced the Skyline in 1957. The small company located in Japan built a small and modestly powered car. In 1964, the S54 Skyline 2000GT powered by a six-cylinder engine was introduced. It was designed to compete in the GT-II class at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Prince Motor Company and Nissan merged in 1966. After the merger, the Skyline and its larger counterpart, the Nissan Gloria, were sold in Japan at dealership sales channels called Nissan Prince Shop.

The Skyline was largely designed and engineered by Shinichiro Sakurai from inception.

In 1968, the third generation of the Skyline was introduced, the iconic 'Hakosuka.' Nissan further developed the car, resulting in the 2000GT-R. It was powered by a race-derived S20 inline-six with dual overhead camshafts, a cross-flow head with four valves per cylinder, and a hemispherical combustion chamber fed by triple dual-throat Mikuni-Solex side-draft carburetors. A redesigned coupe appeared near the close of 1972, but with the emission restrictions and rising oil prices, sales were hindered.

16 years later, Nissan revived the Skyline name. In May of 1989, the eighth-generation (R32) was introduced, and the 'GT-R' badge would return in August that year. In a nod to his past, power was once again from a DOHC inline-six. The twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter engine was modestly rated at 280 horsepower. It came equipped with electronically controlled four-wheel drive, dubbed ATTESA E-TS, all-wheel steering, and multi-link independent suspension.

The GT-R was extremely competitive, having never lost a single race in the All Japan Championship, along with claiming an overall victory at the Spa 24 Hours and consecutive wins at the Bathurst 1000.

The bone-stock GT-R models were fast, yet many owners modified their cars even further, thanks to an incredible aftermarket along with factory support from Nissan's motorsport division, Nismo.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019