1972 Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R Sedan

Nissan introduced the S54 Skyline 2000GT in May of 1964. The Skyline was intended to compete in the GT-II class at the second Japanese Grand Prix. The wheelbase was extended by 20 centimeters to accommodate the larger G7 six-cylinder engine over the inline-four. The S54B 2000GT was developed by Prince engineer Shin'ichiro Sakurai (known as Mr. Skyline), and it would dominate the Suzuka Circuit that year where it finished second only to a Porsche 904 Carrera GTS. The Nissan swept the second through six places, and even briefly lead the Porsche.

The third-generation C10 Skyline was nicknamed 'Hakosuka' and was introduced in 1968. The idea was originally conceived by Prince and was badged and marketed by Nissan after the company's merger. Nissan further developed the Skyline with the triple-carbureted 2000GT-X and, the ultimate iteration, the DOHC 2000GT-R.

In February of 1969, Nissan introduced the first GT-R as a four-door sedan (type PGC10). Power was from the race-derived S20 engine, which featured 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. In October of 1970, a two-door coupe version (KPGC10) made its debut and was introduced to the public in March of 1971. It is believed that just 1,115 GT-R Coupes were produced between 1970 and 1972.

With sights set on the Japanese Grand Prix series, Nissan stripped the GT-R down to its bare essentials. The Hakosuka Skyline went on to win 46 straight and outright class wins and more than 50 overall wins over a three-year run.

This Nissan GT-R was first registered in July of 1972 in Aichi-Ken, Japan, and in 2008, the previous owner purchased this original Skyline from the family of the first owner. A two-year sympathetic cosmetic restoration was soon undertaken, with the car retaining the majority of its original parts, including the standard GT-R rear fender flares and its rare factory rear spoiler. Currently the car has lightweight Watanabe wheels and a Datsun Racing steering wheel (the original steering wheel and black factory steel wheels are still with the car). The car also has the original jack, spare wheel, and tool set.

As of October 12th of 2007, the car had 41,500 kilometers, and 41,600 kilometers on September 5th of 2013.

This car has a dual overhead cam 16-valve S20 six-cylinder engine with triple side-draft Mikuni-Solex carburetors and a five-speed manual transmission. There are disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014