Skyline
Introduced in 1957 by Fuji Precision Machinery, the company that later became Prince Motor Company, the Skyline grew into one of Japan’s most enduring automotive nameplates. It began as a family-oriented sedan before gaining a stronger performance identity with the 1964 Prince Skyline GT and the 1969 Skyline 2000GT-R. After Prince merged with Nissan in 1966, the model retained its own identity while providing the basis for some of Nissan’s most capable cars. Depending on the generation and market, the Skyline was offered as a sedan, coupe, hardtop, wagon, estate-style body or van. The name therefore covers far more than the GT-R. Its development runs through the C10 and C110 lines, the R30 and R31, the R32, R33 and R34 performance era, and the later V35, V36 and V37 generations.
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Variants by year
Make: Nissan · Model: Skyline
28 / 28 versions shown
2014
2007
2006
2002
2001
1999
1998
1993
1989
1985
1981
1977
1972
1970
1968
Nissan Skyline photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in 1957 by Fuji Precision Machinery, the company that later became Prince Motor Company, the Skyline grew into one of Japan’s most enduring automotive nameplates. It began as a family-oriented sedan before gaining a stronger performance identity with the 1964 Prince Skyline GT and the 1969 Skyline 2000GT-R. After Prince merged with Nissan in 1966, the model retained its own identity while providing the basis for some of Nissan’s most capable cars. Depending on the generation and market, the Skyline was offered as a sedan, coupe, hardtop, wagon, estate-style body or van. The name therefore covers far more than the GT-R. Its development runs through the C10 and C110 lines, the R30 and R31, the R32, R33 and R34 performance era, and the later V35, V36 and V37 generations.
History
The first Prince Skyline appeared in April 1957 as the ALSI. It was a Japanese-market passenger car rather than a dedicated sports coupe. The model’s sporting transformation began in the early 1960s. In 1964, the Prince Skyline GT received an inline-six engine and a longer wheelbase for the second Japan Grand Prix. Skylines finished from second through sixth behind the Porsche 904, a result that helped establish the name’s performance reputation. Prince Motors merged with Nissan in 1966, bringing the Skyline into Nissan’s portfolio. The C10 generation marked the next stage in 1968, followed by the Skyline 2000GT-R PGC10 in February 1969. Its S20 engine used twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, drawing on technology developed for the R380 racing prototype. Nissan records that the works GT-R achieved 52 victories before the factory team withdrew in 1972. After the oil crisis, the Skyline’s range placed greater emphasis on versatile sedans, coupes and wagons. The GT-R returned with the R32 in 1989, while the R33 and R34 continued the performance line into the early 2000s. From the V35 onward, the Skyline moved further toward the premium sports-sedan and sports-coupe market. The V36 followed in 2006, and the V37 was introduced in 2014. This history explains why the Skyline name covers both practical family cars and highly specialized performance derivatives.
Generations
The commonly used timeline begins with the earlier Prince generations, followed by the C10 introduced in 1968. The C10 is associated with the first Skyline 2000GT-R, initially a sedan and then a two-door hardtop from 1970. The C110 arrived in 1972 with a range that included sedan, hardtop coupe and wagon bodies. Its KPGC110 GT-R was an exceptionally limited performance derivative, developed during a difficult period of fuel-economy and emissions pressure. The C210 preceded the R30, introduced in 1981, and the R31, which arrived in 1985. These generations emphasized a broad model range with several body styles and powertrain choices rather than a single defining flagship. The R32, launched in August 1989, changed the Skyline’s image through the return of the GT-R and an all-wheel-drive system developed for competition. The R33 followed in 1993 and the R34 in 1999, with sedan, coupe and performance variants depending on market and trim level. The V35, introduced in 2001, moved the nameplate toward a more premium and internationally oriented role. The V36 followed in 2006 with a more contemporary design, while the V37 appeared in 2014. These later generations should not be confused with the Nissan GT-R R35. After the R34, the GT-R became a separate model, while the Skyline continued as its own sports-sedan and coupe family.
Key differences
Differences between Skylines are not limited to engine output. Early generations were rear-wheel-drive family cars offered as sedans, coupes, wagons or vans depending on the version. The C10 created a clearer divide between ordinary models and the 2000GT-R, whose S20 engine, strengthened chassis and competition focus set it apart. The C110, C210, R30 and R31 lines emphasized a wide model range. Cars could share a general family resemblance while using different engines, transmissions and equipment. The R32 represented a major change for the GT-R, combining the RB26DETT inline-six with an all-wheel-drive system. The R33 and R34 continued that performance direction, while changing dimensions, chassis tuning and equipment. The V35, V36 and V37 belong to a newer category. They are larger, more refined and more focused on comfort, safety and V6 powertrains. It is therefore inaccurate to treat every Skyline as a GT-R. An R31 sedan, an R34 GT coupe and an R32 GT-R share a nameplate lineage, but they were designed for different technical and commercial purposes.
Photo recognition
To identify a Skyline, start with the body shape and production period before relying on a GT-R badge. C10 models from 1968 to 1972 have a boxy profile; GT-R versions are associated with four round headlamps and four round rear lamps. The C110 is longer and fuller in appearance, while its hardtop coupes and circular rear-light design provide useful clues. The R30, produced in the early 1980s, has a distinctly square shape and rectangular lighting elements. The R31 retains that angular character but uses more modern proportions. The R32 is often recognized by its compact body, twin round rear lamps and, on the GT-R, wider fenders and a more aggressive front bumper. The R33 is longer and smoother in profile. The R34 returns to tighter, more technical surfaces, with twin round rear lamps and a sharper front end. The V35 and V36 look more fluid and premium, while the V37, introduced in 2014, has the proportions and detailing of a modern sports sedan. Badges, wheels and aero parts can be changed, so chassis codes, body construction and production details are generally more reliable identification clues than a single emblem.
Important versions
The 1964 Prince Skyline GT S54 was the first major performance version and the starting point of the nameplate’s competition reputation. The 1969 Skyline 2000GT-R PGC10 was the first production GT-R, pairing the S20 engine with a strong racing purpose. The 1972 KPGC110 is particularly notable for its rarity. In the modern era, the 1989 BNR32 GT-R was a decisive step, combining the RB26DETT with all-wheel drive. The R33 and R34 continued that performance architecture, while GTS, GTS-t, GT and 25GT versions demonstrate how broad the Skyline range remained. The R31 GTS-R is also significant as a performance homologation model. The V35 and V36, meanwhile, show the nameplate’s shift toward premium sports sedans and coupes rather than a single GT-R-centered identity.
References
- The Prince Skyline was launched in 1957Nissan Motor Corporation
- Prince Skyline GT, 1964: S54Nissan Heritage Collection
- Skyline 2000GT-R, 1969: PGC10Nissan Heritage Collection
- Skyline Heritage Collection overviewNissan Heritage Collection
- Skyline GT-R, 1990: BNR32Nissan Heritage Collection
- From Skyline to GT-R: The Evolution of a SupercarNissan USA
- From Japan to the World: The History of Skyline and the New SkylineNissan Motor Corporation
Technical specifications
Structured data available for versions linked to this model.
| Version | Power | Torque | Top speed | Drivetrain | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Up to 280 PS for the 25GT Turbo | — | — | Rear-wheel drive on most coupé grades; 25GT FOUR available with full-time all-wheel drive / 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, depending on grade | — |
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Nissan Skyline produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1968 - 2014.
- How many Nissan Skyline examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 40 published scans from 28 members, with the latest photo added in October 2026.
- What is the power output of the Nissan Skyline?
- The sourced technical data lists Up to 280 PS for the 25GT Turbo.
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