1987 Nissan Skyline

The R31 version was the seventh generation of the Skyline and was introduced in 1985 and produced through 1990. It was an evolution of the previous R30 (1981 to 1985) shape, the first Skyline generation to use the RB engine family, the first to use Nissan's proprietary four-wheel steering system (known as HICAS or High Capacity Active Steering), and the only generation offered as a pillarless hardtop sedan. This generation of the Skyline was largely designed and engineered by Shinichiro Sakurai and Naganori Ito.

The R31 Skyline rested on a 102.8-inch wheelbase, with the sedans and wagons initially having a length of 180.7 inches and the hardtop measuring 183.1 inches. The HR31 RB engines were often known as 'Red Top' because of the red cam covers. Initially, the RB 24-valve DOHC engines received the NICS (Nissan Induction Control System) injection system with twelve small intake runners. A butterfly system that divided the intake ports in half helped improve low RPM performance. An ECCS (Electronically Concentrated Control System) engine management system was later adopted that did away with the twelve intake runners and replaced them with six larger ones, along with a slightly larger turbocharger. The RD28 2.8-liter straight-six could be purchased with a diesel option.

Nissan Skyline R31 GTS-R

The GTS-R was the highest specification of the R31 Skyline, equipped with the RB20DET-R engine, a reworked version of the RB20DET with a larger turbocharger, a larger front-mounted intercooler, and a tubular steel exhaust manifold. Road-going versions delivered 207 horsepower, while racing versions produced 430 horsepower in Group A trim. A total of 823 examples were built, allowing homologation for Group A Touring Car competition.

The Gibson Motor Sport prepared Skyline GTS-R was driven by Jim Richards and Mark Skaife to victory in the 1989 Sandown 500 in Australia. Richards also won six of eight races to win the 1990 Australian Touring Car Championship (an R32 GT-R was used for the final two rounds of the series). George Fury placed second in the 1983 and 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship and Glenn Seton placed second in 1987.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2023