1988–1994 NISSAN SILVIA (S13)

The S13 Silvia was the first S-chassis car to use the J ( jack), Q (queen), and K (king) system to identify trim levels. The ‘J’ represented the base model, with a very basic interior, little standard equipment, and 14-inch steel wheels; the ‘Q’ model filled the middleof-the-road market and received many electric upgrades, with an optional limited-slip differential (LSD); while the ‘K’ received the CA18DET and, later, SR20DET engines, along with all the upgrades of the Q-model. The model introduced a number of firsts to the range, using Nissan’s multi-link rear suspension from the Nissan MID-4 concept car and offered four-wheel steering with HICAS-II (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering II).

Nissan discontinued the liftback variant, splitting it off into a separate, new model — the 180SX — leaving only the notchback coupe available. Initially offered with CA18 engine options, from ’91 on, the famed SR20DE and DET featured across all models. It remains one of the most popular models of the lineage, both in new-car sales and second-hand, in part due to the rise in popularity of drifting at the time of its release.