Nissan Skyline C10
| 1968-1972 | |
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| Overview | |
| Also called |
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| Production |
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| Assembly | Musashimurayama, Japan |
| Designer | Shinichiro Sakurai |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
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| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Nissan Laurel |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm (103.9 in) (sedan) |
| Length | 4,430 mm (174.4 in) (sedan) |
| Width | 1,595 mm (62.8 in) |
| Height | 1,405 mm (55.3 in) (sedan) |
The C10 series of 1968, which began its development under Prince at the company's Ogikubo R&D centre in the suburbs of Tokyo, was marketed with a Nissan badge. By the time the C10 went on sale, the Prince nameplate had been completely phased out on cars and trucks. The dealer network selling the cars became the Prince channel of Nissan, and the marketing group stayed at the Prince headquarters in Mita instead of moving to Nissan's headquarters in Ginza. The C10 Skyline was launched with Prince's 1.5 L OHC G15 I4 like the S57. A 1.8 L G18 version was also available. A station wagon variant, known previously as the Prince Skyway, was offered with this generation. A hardtop coupé was introduced in October 1970.
The brake- and tail-lights were modified to square units, but now included dual units for both the left and right side of the vehicle.
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. 120 PS (88 kW) was available from this new engine. In March 1972 expanded the lineup to include a four-door GT-X sedan.
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. 105 hp (78 kW) was available from this new engine, in 1970 Nissan production Skyline 2000GT Automatic, in October 1970 Nissan introduced 2 Door Coupe.
GT-R
The first GT-R Skyline appeared in February 1969. Called the PGC-10 (KPGC-10 for later coupé version) internally and Hakosuka (ハコスカ) by fans. Hako (ハコ) means Box in Japanese, and suka（スカ） is short for Skyline (スカイライン; Sukairain). It used the 2.0 L (1998 cc) S20 I6. This new DOHC engine (which was designed by the former Prince engineers) produced 160 hp (118 kW, 180 N m), and was similar to the GR8 engine used in the Prince R380 racing car.
The GT-R began as a sedan, but a 2-door coupé version was debuted in October 1970 and introduced in March 1971. The cars were stripped of unnecessary equipment to be as light as possible for racing, 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 C10 raced against many cars including the Toyota Corona 1600GT (RT55), Isuzu Bellett GTR, Mazda Familia (R100) & Capella (RX-2) – even Porsche. In late 1971 the new Mazda RX-3 became the GT-R's main rival. The GT-R managed a few more victories before the RX-3 ended the GT-R's winning streak.
Models:
- 1500 – 1.5 L G-15 I4, 88 hp (71 kW, 128 N m)
- 1500 – 1.5 L G-15 I4, 95 hp (71 kW, 128 N m)
- 1800 – 1.8 L G-18 I4, 105 hp (78 kW, 150 N m)
- 2000GT – 2.0 L L20 I6, 120 hp (90 kW, 167 N m)
- 2000GT-R – 2.0 L S20 I6, 160 hp (118 kW, 180 N m)
Body styles
- C-10 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon 1968
- GC-10 4-door 2000GT 1969
- PGC-10 4-door GT-R Skyline 1969
- KPGC-10 2 Door GT-R Skyline 1970
- KGC-10 2000GT-X 2-door 1971
- KGC-10 2000GT-X 4-door 1972
- HGLC10 2000/2400GT 4-door Left Hand Drive
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