R31 Skyline GTS-R

R31 skyline is the E-HR31 model (Nick name: R31 or 7th) assigned to the 7 generation Skyline.

Sales period: 1985 ~ 1989

Shinichiro Sakurai, the “Father in the skyline”, took the leadership as the person in charge of development,

and Naganori Itou took over the development after Shinichiro Sakurai got sick.

Shinichiro Sakurai
He is well known as "Mr. Skyline" and "Father of the skyline" because of his involvement from the initial stage of the skyline as the person in charge of development for a long term until the last stage of development of R31.

Naganori Itou
Naganori Itou, the junior and the best disciple of Shinichiro Sakurai and also participated in the vehicle development, was moved from the development manager of the other car in a hurry, and took over as the development manager from Sakurai as Shinichiro Sakurai was hospitalized due to illness.

R31 Skyline GTS-R is one of the special cars among the R31, and a limited number of 800 cars was sold as the Homologation model of group A class in 1987.
The engine is RB20DET-R based on RB20DET equipped with the GTS twin cam 24V turbo, long stainless steel exhaust manifold, Garrett TO4E turbine, and front intercooler.
The maximum output of 300ps is achieved only by the boost improvement though it is able to maintain at 210ps and plus 20ps for RB20DET.
In addition, it is possible to aim at same 400ps as group A machine by strengthening of piston and connecting rod, ensuring the capacity of fuel system, and high flow processing of turbine. GTS-R has kept this much potential as a secret.

It produced and sold a limited number of 800 cars with the specification by tuning the engine and including original aero. It is R31 Skyline GTS-R. 

The skyline returned to the race by Gr.A and showed off unrivaled strength, and revived the strongest myth.

In addition with the revival of the “R” emblem….

Afterwards, it worked as a test mother body for the R32-GT-R revival, and it became the base of the R32GT-R birth as a test vehicle for development.

R32 Skyline GT-R

The majority of the R31 Skyline GTS-R are still maintained with care by the owners even now because R31 Skyline GTS-R is a rare car, and only 800 such cars were made.

Kenmeri

KENMERI is the nickname of the skyline of C110 model, manufactured and sold during 1973~1977.

In that, the GT-R was installed with the same S20 model engine of the predecessor Hakosuka GT-R

Because the GT-R had an engine that could not clear the standard value of exhaust emission regulations approved in 1973 immediately after the sale, only 197 vehicles was manufactured in the 3 month period. Therefore, it is the valuable and most popular car that cannot be easily seen at present.

Though the predecessor Hakosuka GT-R was a car that was always winning at the circuit, the Kenmeri GT-R was a heavy car, and occasionally ran in the circuit.

The popularity was not due to the performance of the car, but due to the installation of the S20 model engine, less number of cars production, and the labeling of GT-R. I think this car is popular even now due to the above points.

Though it is often said as running Hakosuka and rare Kenmeri, I often see the Hakosuka GT-R, but have seen a very few Kenmeri GT-R.

Given the option, which car do you like to select? You can post that as a comment in this blog.

Please check the following youtube videos

  

Hakosuka

Hakosuka is the nickname of the C10 model skyline produced and sold during 1968~1972.

In that, the GT-R was made by installing a semi-racing engine of S20 type with a 2 litre series, 6 cylinder and DOHC24 valve. 

At that time, it had the performance of breathtaking maximum power of 160ps, maximum speed of 200 km/h, and 0-400m in 16 seconds, and in the race, it achieved 50 victories in total, including 49 successive victories by March 1972

(The first GT-R Skyline was called as Hakosuka by fans. Hako means Box in Japanese, and suka is short for Skyline (Pronounced as Sukairain in Japanese).

It is a racing car shining with lot of glories like establishing the skyline legend. The GT-R, with the same engine as the Hakosuka that won successive victories, can be driven in the ordinary road run at the racing car level, and that is a popular thing that is indeed to be welcomed.

The sales price of Hakosuka GT-R at that time was 1.5 million yen, and at present the popularity is very high, so that it not unusual to price the good car for more than 10 million yen. 

It is very popular in the events where the old cars are gathered, and that is not limited to Japan, and has a reputation of having fans all over the world.

At present, in the NISSAN GT-R sold by Nissan all over the world, the name GT-R came from the Hakosuka GT-R.

Especially, the engine sound of the S20 type engine in the Hakosuka GT-R is extremely wonderful.

I would like you to know that the reputed car of Japan is not only fast and beautiful, but also has a wonderful engine sound with a charm.

Specification of Hakosuka GT-R
Total length x Total width x Total height: 4,330 x 1,655 x 1,370mm
Wheelbase: 2,570mm
Weight of vehicle: 1,100kg
Engine model: S20
Engine type: 6 cylinder, water-cooled series DOHC 1,989cc
Maximum power: 160 HP /7,000 rom
Maximum torque: 18.0 kg-m/5,600 rpm
Suspension type Front: Strutt
Suspension type Rear: Semi-trailing arm.
Brake Front/Rear: Disk/drum. 

Please check the following youtube videos