The Nissan Skyline GT-R is a legend. But long before the twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive monsters dominated Group A road racing in the early 1990s, its predecessors had transformed Japan’s motoring landscape.
The fourth-generation Nissan Skyline, like the one recently listed on eBay, never raced. But it captured the hearts of a new generation of Japanese auto enthusiasts.
Japan Develops Car Style
This Skyline’s predecessor, the C10 chassis, was the first Nissan Skyline to have a high-performance GT-R variant, and it enjoyed massive success in racing. Nissan planned to introduce its successor, the C110, debuting the model at the Tokyo Motor Show in full racing livery.
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Unfortunately, the 1973 oil crisis killed any chance of seeing it compete on the track. As a result, Nissan built only 197 in GT-R trim with the full triple-carb, twin-cam, multi-valve engine. Nevertheless, the C110 became one of the most popular cars in Japan’s automotive history.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that Japan built an expressway network, leading to an increase in private-car ownership. Initially, compact Kei cars and workhorse commercial trucks were compacts. By the early 1970s, many citizens could afford upscale, stylish vehicles.
Here Comes the Kenmeri
To promote the new 1972 Skyline, Nissan created a memorable ad campaign starring a young couple who drove the car around the country. The spots were filmed more like a movie than a car commercial, with a folk-rock soundtrack and landscapes bathed in golden light. The couple had names that could pass as both Japanese and English—Ken and Mary—and the young lovers captured the romance of the open road. The commercials resembled GM’s “See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet” ads starring Dinah Shore. As a result, the fourth-generation Nissan Skyline became known as the “Kenmeri.”
Gearheads and non-car enthusiasts were enamored with road trips in glamorous cars, which hadn’t been possible in recent memory. The Skyline became a hit. However, with only 197 actual Kenmeri Skyline GT-Rs built and a sky-high price tag to match, many owners took it upon themselves to give regular Skylines the look of a GT-R.
Playing the Part
The car for sale is a spot-on example of such a custom job. Fender flares and spoilers front and rear mimic the look of the race-ready GT-R. Additional modifications include:
- 15-inch Shadow Spoke wheels
- Brake upgrades from a Nissan 300ZX - opens in new window or tab.
The original inline-six was upgraded to an L28 - opens in new window or tab. bored to 3.0 liters, and triple Mikuni carbs - opens in new window or tab.. That was par for the course for a Skyline mod.
The car is a metallic gray—not an original color. The seller notes paint imperfections. While the underside has only surface rust, we strongly recommend an in-person inspection as these cars were known to have floor pan rust due to many years in Japan’s humid climate. The odometer reads 10,662 kilometers, but the five-digit meter probably rolled over at least once.
Given its age, the car must undergo California smog testing - opens in new window or tab. if registered in the Golden State. Kenmeri Skylines are increasingly rare, perhaps justifying the $96,900 price tag. The word iconic gets thrown around often, but the Kenmeri Skyline deserves the description.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.