Nissan Skyline 3rd generation C10 type

1968-1972
Overview
Also called	Hakosuka Datsun skyline
Production	1968 to 1972
Class	Luxury Car
produced	310,447 units sold
Assembly	Musashimurayama, Japan
Designer	Shinichiro Sakurai
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Related	Nissan Laurel
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L G-15 I4 1.8 L G-18 I4 2.0 L L20 I6 (2000GT) 2.0 L S20 I6 (GT-R)
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.By August 1968 This is the first new model released after the merger with Nissan. A 4-door sedan (C10 type), estate (WC10 type), and van (VC10 type). There were only standard and deluxe grades, but the deluxe was divided into family deluxe (3-speed column shift, bench seat), touring deluxe (3-speed column shift, separate seat), and sporty deluxe (4 In addition to the three types of floor shift and separate seat), the women's specification "L pack" was prepared as a manufacturer option to ensure variations. Known as "44"

The engine is a Prince in-line 4-cylinder OHC1483cc G15 type. The suspension was changed to a combination of MacPherson struts and coil springs at the front. The rear is leaf rigid.By October 1968 there was added GT (GC10 type) with in-line 6-cylinder engine. Like the S5 type, the front nose is extended, but unlike the S54 type, it has a design structure and design that considers the 6-cylinder model from the beginning of development, and the 6-cylinder model has a more balanced appearance. . Instead of the Prince G7 type engine installed in the S54 type, it will be equipped with a Nissan inline 6-cylinder OHC 1998cc L20 type (single cab). At the time of its release, it was equipped with a head cover called a semi-cylindrical head cover (a bolt extending from the head side of the cam cover was tightened with a nut), which had a different shape from the L series engine that became mainstream in later years. The maximum output is 105 horsepower. After October 1969, the Cedric, Gloria and Skyline equipped with the L20 engine were sequentially switched to a newly designed engine, and became 120PS (high octane gasoline specification). In order to distinguish between the old and new, the new model was called the L20A (there was no change in the model of the prime mover on the vehicle inspection certificate), but with the elimination of the old engine, the new model came to be called the L20 in later years (later). In order to distinguish it from the 1952cc 4-cylinder L20B that appeared, the old 6-cylinder was called the L20A for convenience). 

PERFORMANCE: 1500cc

• engine capacity: 90.49 cu in, 1,483 cu cm
• fuel consumption: 29.7 m/imp gal, 24.8 m/US gal, 9.5 1 x 100 km
  max speed: 99.4 mph, 160 km/h
• max power (SAE): 94 hp at 6,000 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 96 1b ft, 13.2 kg m at 4,000 rpm
• max engine rpm: 6,000
• specific power: 63.4 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 22.7 lb/hp, 10.2 kg/hp
• acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 18.9 sec, 0—50 mph (0 —80 km/h) 10.7 sec

The front suspension is the same MacPherson strut as the 4-cylinder, but the rear is changed to a semi-trailing arm suspension and coil springs, making it a 4-wheel independent suspension. In the same month, the "Skyline GT Racing Specification" will be exhibited at the 15th Tokyo Motor Show. It is a GT-R concept car that will be released the following year. The tire house of the rear fender was expanded in an arch shape to gouge the surfing line, and the front and rear "2000GT" emblems were painted red. The head cover of the installed S20 engine had a different design from that of the commercial vehicle.

February 1969 Added GT-R (PGC10 type) equipped with an in- line 6-cylinder 4-valve DOHC 1989cc S20 engine developed by Prince engineers. For GT-R, see Nissan/Skyline GT-R section.

August 1969 Added 1800 Sporty Deluxe and Sporty S (PC10 type) equipped with Prince series in-line 4-cylinder OHC1815cc G18 type, which was pre-installed in Laurel as 1800 series. October 1969 Minor change of GT. The main exterior changes have been made, such as changing the conventional three-part front grill to a one-piece grill, changing the design of the tail lamps, and changing the position of the radio antenna from the left fender to the right pillar. Known as "45"

October 1970 Minor change and additional sales of 2-door hardtop model. In addition to major changes to the interior, such as the newly designed dash panel, the appearance of the front grille, tail lamps, and front and rear bumpers has been changed. Substantial late type. A 2-door hardtop model was added to each displacement vehicle, the 1500 (KC10 type) 1800 (KPC10 type) 4-cylinder series and the 2000GT series (KGC10 type). The GT-R sedan was abolished and shifted to a hardtop (KPGC10 type). The hardtop has a 70mm shorter wheelbase than the sedan, resulting in improved manoeuvrability. The hardtop 1800 was a single grade sporty GL. The price of the GT-R at that time was 1.5 million yen. Known as "46"

September 1971 minor change. The front grille and rear garnish have been changed to a honeycomb design, and details such as the seat stitching have been changed. Added the GT-X to the 2-door HT. The engine was equipped with the L20SU twin carburettor specification that was used in Cedric/Gloria 2000GX and Fairlady Z. The maximum output is 125PS (130PS for the high-octane gasoline specification), and the differences from other GTs are the partially cloth-covered seats, power windows, and intermittent wipers. The emblem is blue for GT and red for GT-R, whereas it is "gold". Known as "47"

March 1972 Additional sales of sedan GT-X. The sedan GT-X is not equipped with power windows. The catchphrase is "fearless 4-door”. Around the end of the model, as part of the unified specification of Nissan vehicles, the "5speed" emblem was additionally installed at the bottom of the left tail lamp of the 5MT car, and there were very few vehicles installed because it was just before the full model change to the next generation C110 type.

In addition, it was exported overseas as "Nissan 2400GT" equipped with L24 (2393cc). There is also a Nissan 2000GT equipped with the L20.308,502 units produced for the third generationThe brake- and tai-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.

PERFORMANCE: 2000 GT

• max power (DIN) 105 hp at 5,200 rpm
• max torque (DIN) 116 1b ft. 16 kg m at 3,600 rpm
• specific power 52.6 hp/l
• power-weight ratio 22.9 lb/hp, 10.4 kg/hp
• max speed 105.6 mph, 170 km/h

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