Nissan Skyline History – 5th Generation (1977 – 1981)
The C210, which was the fifth-generation Skyline, was launched in 1977.
The new four cylinder, short wheelbase C210 fifth-generation Skyline nicknamed: “Japan”
It was popular for its straight body-lines. The basic versions were called 1600TI (Touring International) and 1800TI now and featured L16 and L18 engines with the option of EFI on the L18, respectively, instead of the preceding “G” engines.
Nissan’s original plan was to upgrade the C210 Skyline “TI” to high performance specs by fitting the newly developed 150ps FJ20E 2.0L DOHC 16 valve 4 cylinder engine, but latter decided to wait until they developed the 6th generation R30 series Skyline’s to utilise the high performance FJ20 engine exclusively.
The C211 was introduced in 1980 following a minor change.
Three versions of 2000GT were available: Turbo GT-E (145PS), GT-E (125PS), and the GT (115PS).
Skyline 2000GT 1980 : HGC211
Specifications
- Overall length / width / height
- 4,600/1,625/1,390mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,615mm
- Tread (front/rear)
- 1,370/1,350mm
- Curb weight
- 1,185kg
- Engine
- L20 (6-cyl. in line, OHC), 1,998cc
- Engine
- L20 (6-cyl. in line, OHC), 1,998cc
- Engine Max. power
- 85kW (115PS)/5,600rpm
- Engine Max. torque
- 162Nm (16.5kgm)/3,600rpm
- Suspension (front)
- Strut
- Suspension (rear)
- Semi trailing-arm
- Tires
- 175SR14 (BS)
The C211 series was released in August 1977 and, just like the C110 series, came in four versions. First of all, due to the fuel crisis and emissions regulations, the GT-R was missing and instead the Skyline 2000GT-ES (KGC211) marked the top-of-the-line now.
Skyline H/T Turbo 2000GT-ES 1981 : KHR30
Specifications
- Overall length / width / height
- 4,595/1,665/1,360mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,615mm
- Tread (front/rear)
- 1,410/1,400mm
- Curb weight
- 1,160kg
- Engine
- L20ET (6-cyl. in line, OHC), 1,998cc
- Engine Max. power
- 107kW (145PS)/5,600rpm
- Engine Max. torque
- 206Nm (21.0kgm)/3,200rpm
- Suspension (front, rear)
- Strut, semi trailing-arm
- Brakes
- Disc (front & rear)
- Tires
- 185/70HR14
- Note:Equipped with power steering.
The sixth-generation Skyline (Type R30), was launched in August 1981. For the advertising campaign, the actor Paul Newman – a familiar face in racing circles – was hired, and the catchphrase “New Love Skyline” attracted much attention. The 6-cylinder and 4-cylinder models used bodies with the same nose length. A 5-door hatchback was also launched, while the estate wagon was discontinued.
The 2000GT-ES featured a new turbo-version of the L20, called the L20ET, with 140hp. This engine might have been less powerful than the GT-Rs, but in contrast to the S20, obeyed to emissions regulations and marked a new milestone in Skyline history:
For the first time a turbo engine powered a Skyline.
The basic versions were called 1600TI and 1800TI now and featured L16 and L18 engines respectively, instead of the preceding “G” engines. The old 2000GT-X lost the X (and was now called the 2000GT), but kept an unchanged L20 engine, which still pumped out 130hp.
