NISSAN SKYLINE R31
NISSAN'S LAST HURRAH WAS A GOOD FAMILY HACK BUT ITS CONSERVATIVE LOOKS KEPT SOME BUYERS AWAY
The mid-1980s brought big changes for a local car maker that for some time had been hanging on by its proverbial fingernails.
Nissan hadn't made a truly successful model since the 120Y, which sold in huge numbers despite detractors. Now with a new big sedan and one of the best six-cylinder power units in the world it had a chance. People did just wish the thing hadn't looked quite so drab.
Four levels of trim would be initially available: GX, GXE, Ti and the sporty Silhouette. Later the GX would be renamed Executive and from 1988 a limited sequence of GTS sedans would be added.
Japanese versions of the R31 Skyline were sold with two or four doors and turbocharged engines. When adapted to Australia's conservative and fleet-dominated market the Skyline came with conventional four-door styling and the durable RB30 six-cylinder engine.
This was the same motor sold to Holden for its VL but Nissan ignored the turbo option which did so well for its rival. Even in GTS form the 3.0-litre was reined in to produce a very conservative 130kW.
The major issue with the Skyline and one that could not be helped by any level of price manipulation or engineering superiority was space. The Skyline at 1425mm handed 32mm in width to the VL Commodore and much more to the larger Falcon. It was shorter overall than the Commodore and the boot was tall with narrow access. Fleet buyers did like the station wagon which, despite losing out in cargo capacity to its rivals, rode better and used less fuel.
GXE models came with velour seats, a four-speaker sound system, extra courtesy lights and standard air-con. Step up to the Ti and the seats became sumptuous and equipment stretched to include alloy wheels, cruise control, power windows and a trip computer.
Between sat the sportiest of the range; the Silhouette with its unique wheel design, rear spoiler and limited slip differential. Series 2 versions available from 1989 featured very distinctive ‘dual hotplate' circular taillights in place of earlier cars' rectangular clusters.
A Silhouette in 1986 cost $23,390 but by late 1990 that had reached an untenable $28,690. By then, recession was biting, the world had moved on and nothing would save the local factory from closure. Used Skylines then fell into vortex of plunging used values and buyer apathy. Commodores were the car to own and while many Holden owners praised the RB30 engine humming under their VL bonnet they wouldn't consider owning a Skyline.
During the 1990s, Japanese Skylines began arriving as low-volume imports and were popular with younger owners but expensive to buy and insure throwing attention back on local versions. Many had already been junked and while the Ti and Silhouette remained scarce, they weren't particularly expensive. Lower-spec models didn't cost much and up until a few years ago the youngish enthusiast with only $2k could likely hand it to the old folk down the road who were keen to move their one-owner GXE. Younger owners have to a degree been the R31's salvation and while untouched cars are scarce, the numbers of modified survivors and ‘shed finds' are growing.