ABOUT THE C10 NISSAN SKYLINE

In July of 1968, 11 years after the release of the ALSI-1 first generation Prince Skyline, the model took it’s new name of Nissan and despite still being under research and development of the Prince faction operating inside Nissan, the label on the car was to read 'Nissan Skyline' and with this, came a new chassis code. This new Skyline was the 'C10'.

Despite several cues being taken from the previous generation, one thing the C10 did lose was the famous round rear lamps. However, it made up for this in other areas.
The engine used in the initial 4 cylinder cars still hailed from the previous gen, the Prince G-series. This engine was shared amongst the sedan, estate and van variants and came in both 1500cc (G15) and 1800cc (G18). These options and body types and additionally the 6 cylinder versions, gave the Skyline more variations in the one model than ever before.

MODELS (VERY BASICS)
1500- 1.5 L G15 I4, 87 hp
1800 - 1.8 L G18 I4, 94 hp
2000 GT - 2.0 L G-7 I6, 104 hp
2000 GT-X - 2.0 L L20 I6, 118 hp
2000 GT-R - 2.0 L S20 I6, 158 hp

As it was with the previous S54 model, the C10 wagons only came in 4-cylinder versions. The 6-cylinder for the C10 was no longer a Prince engine, instead the L20A (L-series, 2.0litre, SOHC) was used. Those cars with a 6 were labeled as ‘GC10′, the ‘G’ in the model code indicates that’s it the longer wheelbase version. The easiest way to pick the difference between a 4 and 6 cylinder is to look at the front fender. If the section of steel between the wheel arch and door-shut is very short then it’s a 4cylinder, if it’s about twice the distance then it’s a 6.

2000GT
The following year, the GC10 2000GT received a 2.0 L (1998 cc) L20 I6 engine like the Nissan Cedric instead of a Prince G-7 engine. The chassis was already designed to receive a straight six, to avoid the S54 extension problem. 104 hp was available from this new engine, in 1970 Nissan produced the Skyline 2000GT Automatic, in October 1970 Nissan introduced 2 Door Coupe.

2000GT-X
In 1971, the KGC10 2000 GT-X received a 2.0 L (1,998 cc) L20 straight-six engine instead of the Prince G-7 engine. The chassis was already designed to fit a straight six, to avoid the S54 extension problem. 118 hp was available from this new engine. In March 1972 expanded the lineup to include a four-door GT-X sedan.

2000 GT-R
Again keeping in line with the S54 there were the more standard variants and then there were the performance ones. The C10 shape was the birth-place of the Nissan GT-R. In February of 1969 the very first GT-R was released. Called the PGC10 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R (KPGC-10 for later coupe version) internally and Hakosuka by fans. Hako means Box in Japanese, and suka is short for Skyline (Sukairain).
The GT-R used the Prince developed S20 engine, a 2.0 litre, DOHC, triple Mikuni-Solex Side-Draught, inline 6. It was based on the GC10 sedan body type, had a max speed of 200km/h and 158 hp to get it there.

The 2000GT-R was a star on the track and as a consequence equally as popular off the track. The race cars were stripped of unnecessary equipment to be as light as possible, and performed well at the track. The sedan racked up 33 victories in less than two years, and the coupé stretched this to 50 through 1972.
The road going versions sold well often and had their race pedigree used in the sales pitch and photographs. Despite it’s great success on the track there was still the desire to made the Skyline better and in October of 1970 a new body type made it’s way into the lineup, the Skyline Hardtop.

SKYLINE HARDTOP
The Hardtop was available in L20A and of course, the 2000GT-R S20 version. The shorter wheelbase and weight were obviously advantageous to the Skyline’s racing career.

The Hardtop 2000GT-R came equipped with flares on the rear and a higher cut rear arch to accomodate wider tyres for racing as well as a rear spoiler as standard fitment.

In September of 1971 a revision was made to the Hardtop, 10 more hp was gained from the L20A - the detriment of course was that other changes had brought the weight up from 1080kg to 1095kg. Following this, in March of 1972 the final change was made to the C10, this time it was sedan’s turn for a facelift. It essentially received the same modifications that the Hardtop had, increased power but with weight to combat that.
With the C10, people had fallen in love with the Skyline and it’s not hard to see why, it was a fantastic looking car with a variety of options to choose from, styling detail akin to the error and serious performance available if you so required from what many would consider a family car.

Main thanks: www.retro-classics.co.nz