LONG LIVE THE R1 THE R30: A CULT CAR IN THE MAKING

Fast Forward to the 1980′s and the Skyline was introduced into a whole new ball game as it was marketed in a different way. The skyline was rolled into the same package as the Nissan Laurel or R30. The Skyline also under went a small body change between the lower base models and the more expensive six cylinders now sharing a front end of the same length. The new skyline was now available in 2 door hardtop, four door sedan, five door hatchback, and station wagon there were 26 variations of the R30 Skyline available.

All versions with the exception of the wagon were usually fitted with the four round tail lights that had become a regular feature to the Skyline’s design. The wagon was the ugly duckling of the range, having different tail lights, headlights and no turbo or 6-cylinder versions available. It was sadly known as the outcast of that generation.

This new generation of these skyline hybrids and what not were now available with as many engine choices as your heart could imagine. The tuned to a stout 200hp and 235tq I6 FJ20ET to the old lady friendly 105hp of blistering terror. The skyline was making a new name for itself in the tuner crowd as well, with the introduction of the 2000RS DR30 released in 1983.

The introduction of the DR30 was a crutial piece of history in the Nissan books. A new model on the horizon and a rejuvenated sense of race car tactics with street civility, Nissan struck back with the DR30 Skyline. This skyline was Nissans chance to come back and show the public what they had been missing from the years before and do to that nissan revised the interior, exterior and over all appearance. Interiorwise the car was a night and day difference from previous generations and whats more even the same year but lesser models. Equipt with the latest electronic gadgets: electric windows, air conditioning and power steering as standard; no longer did you have the feel of a stripped-out race car todays skyline was a refined street machine adding an acceptable 1250 kg. The exterior recieved a IRON MASK treatment, this name was thought up by the very consumers Nissan had sought to impress, and impress they did. A chopped out grille, slimmed down headlamps, vented from bumper for improved cooling and an agressive front bumper made this car an easily recognizable car on the road. The fun didn’t stop there had you waited to purchase your DR30 in 1984 you recieved even more goodies, with the addition of a intercooler for raised psi levels, adjusted compression ratios, and a exhaust housing for the turbo charger; power, reliablity, and over all performance jumped to exceed expectations with such simple additions.