Posted on: Dec 12, 2012 | 9,435 reads

Nissan Traces the Roots of the Skyline GT-R

Nissan opens up its archives to teach us about the Skyline and how it first made its mark on the Japanese motor racing scene.

These days Nissan's GT-R and Skyline may be two different models - the former a standalone supercar and the latter essentially a rebadged Infiniti G37 - but the two owe their lineage to the same car. The Skyline was originally developed by the Prince Motor Company, which merged with Nissan in 1966. Development of the Skyline has proceeded over the decades since then, but first put its name on the map at the Suzuka circuit in 1964. That's when the Skyline lined up for the Japan Grand Prix.

Although it couldn't beat the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS (a purpose-built racecar), Prince Skyline number 39 gave the Porsche a run for its money and sealed its place in the annals of Japanese motorsport history. Now fully restored, Nissan looks back on the history of the Skyline and #39 that put it on the map and led to the GT-R we now know and love.