Nissan Skyline: The Complete History of Japan's Greatest Sports Car
Few cars in history have achieved the legendary status of the Nissan Skyline GT-R.
Few cars in history have achieved the legendary status of the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Known around the world as “Godzilla,” it is the car that proved Japan could build a sports car to rival — and beat — the best from Europe and America. This is the complete story of the Nissan Skyline, from a modest family sedan in 1957 to one of the most iconic performance machines ever made.
The Beginning: Prince Motor Company and the First Skyline (1957)
The Nissan Skyline did not start life as a Nissan at all.
In April 1957, the Prince Motor Company launched the original Skyline as a comfortable, practical four-door sedan powered by a modest 1.5-litre engine. In 1964, they introduced the Prince Skyline GT — a performance version powered by a 2.0-litre inline-six engine producing 125 horsepower.
In 1966, Prince Motor Company merged with Nissan, and the Skyline became a Nissan.
1969: The First Skyline GT-R — “Hakosuka”
Launched in February 1969, the first GT-R was powered by a 2.0-litre DOHC inline-six engine producing 160 horsepower. The Hakosuka won 52 consecutive races in Japanese domestic touring car races. Just over 2,000 first-generation GT-Rs were built.
1973: The Rarest GT-R — “Kenmeri”
The 1973 oil crisis killed it. Only 197 Kenmeri GT-Rs were ever built — one of the rarest production cars in Japanese history. The GT-R name then disappeared for 16 years.
1989: The Return of Godzilla — The R32
At its heart was the legendary RB26DETT: a 2.6-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. Official power: 280 horsepower (substantially more in reality). The ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and Super HICAS four-wheel steering made it revolutionary.
It won the Japanese Touring Car Championship for four consecutive years, winning 29 consecutive races. It won the Bathurst 1000 in 1991 and 1992. The Australian press gave it the nickname “Godzilla”.
1995: The R33 — Faster, More Refined
The R33 lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 59 seconds — no production car had ever come close. Sony’s Gran Turismo (1997) introduced an entire generation to the GT-R. A special LM Limited edition celebrated Nissan’s return to Le Mans.
1998: The Legend — The R34
The R34 Skyline GT-R featured a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox, carbon fiber rear diffuser, and the most advanced ATTESA AWD system yet. It lapped the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 38 seconds.
The R34 appeared in The Fast and the Furious driven by Paul Walker, making it the ultimate fantasy car for a generation. Production ended in 2002 with just over 11,000 R34 GT-Rs built. Today, the best V-Spec II examples sell for over $500,000.
2008: The R35 — Godzilla Goes Global
The R35 GT-R arrived in America in July 2008 priced at just under $78,000. A 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 produced 480 horsepower (later 600 hp in Nismo trim). 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. It was faster around the Nürburgring than the Porsche 911 Turbo and Ferrari 599 — at a fraction of the price.
Production officially ended on August 26, 2025, with the final example in iconic Midnight Purple. Approximately 48,000 R35 GT-Rs were built worldwide.
The Skyline GT-R in Numbers
| Generation | Years | Units Built | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakosuka | 1969–1972 | ~2,000 | 160 hp |
| Kenmeri | 1973 | 197 | 160 hp |
| R32 | 1989–1994 | ~43,000 | 280 hp |
| R33 | 1995–1998 | ~16,000 | 280 hp |
| R34 | 1998–2002 | ~11,000 | 280 hp |
| R35 GT-R | 2007–2025 | ~48,000 | 480–600 hp |
Why the Skyline GT-R Is a Legend
The Skyline GT-R became a legend because it proved that engineering intelligence could beat raw power, that technology could defeat money, and that a car from Japan could outrun anything from Europe.
It won in racing before anyone believed it could. It became immortal through video games. It became a movie icon. And for over 50 years, it carried a single, simple promise: get in, press the throttle, and hold on.
That is the story of Godzilla.
Which is your favourite Skyline generation — the Hakosuka, the legendary R34, or the global supercar R35? Let us know in the comments!
Related reads: The Battle of Giants · How Fast & Furious Elevated the Nissan Skyline… · The Evolution of Skyline