Old Skylines

[Latka]

Ok, since a few of you apparently grew up / lived in Japan maybe you can help ed-u-ma-cate me on this.

Is this like a 69-71 Skyline 2000 GT-R?
http://www.hawaiitalks.net/photopost/data/500/7187redpark_3.jpg

This Skyline GT-R gives me absolute wood. How expensive would it be to pick one up do ya think? With Minis I learned that as long as they're over 25 years you're good and can bring in pretty much whatever. My only concern is that the way Japan goes through cars there might not be any affordable examples over there. :cry3:

How friggin cool would that be though? No R32...R33...R34. Gimme the old school! (Although I'd have to rip those f'ing fender mirrors off. BLECH!) :)

[Latka]

Here I am replying to my own threads like some kinda crazy guy :D

I found this one.

http://www.monkys.jp/e/ucar/1972GTR.htm

(gasp) Only a cool $43,000 by today's exchange rate. I think it was ¥5,000,000. Jeez, can I just write 'ya a check?

[dkmini]

They are not cheap in Japan - you have to think of this particular GT-R as one of Japan's classics. I think I've seen more of the four door versions. It's nicknamed the hako-suka in Japan because of it's boxiness (hako = box and suka = Skyline). Ripping the fender mirrors would be sacrilege! :nono: No hakosuka for you! [In my best SoupNazi voice.]

I'm sure G35 guys know about this car more than I do so I'll let them chime-in.

[dkmini]

Latka,

Do you like the KenMary version? I always liked the crazy surf-lines on that car. (I think Sonny Chiba drove one in of the Street Fighter movies.)

How about the Fairlady 432Z (same engine as hakosuka) of the hakosuka era? Also NICE!

[Latka]

Yeah, after thinking about it I would keep the fender mirrors. Hakosuka...I love it! :)

Hell, I'd own a 4-door as long as I could put the go-fast motor in it. Or the 432 - wasn't that the 240Z over here? If so, I don't think I can fit in it. :cry3:

I'd have to wait a while to get one, that's for sure. Just curious what's out there. Realistically though I'd probably end up with an RX-2 or RX-3 before this. Not that I wouldn't WANT this first, but it might take me longer to get it.

Lemme finish my degree and then I can see about "big" toys. ;)

[dkmini]

Or the 432 - wasn't that the 240Z over here?

No 240Z was 240Z but 432Z was the one with the "special" motor.

[Latka]

Oh...sorry. I meant the 240 bodystyle.

I've been looking over some guy's 72 Hakosuka website. Dammit. Me want. ME WANT!

Check this one out:
http://www.jdmsupercars.com/zerothread?id=1618#14943

He's back in San Diego (where I used to live). Next time I'm there I might have to swing by and check out his car (if he responds to my e-mail).

Damn that's a sweet car. As I get older I'm finding that my taste in cars is getting older too!

[REH]

Does everyone know that the Skylines have nicknames? Correct me if I'm wrong Dirk, but here it goes:

1) Prince (I don't why they came up with this name)
2) Hako (means box, shape of the car I guess, picture above). GTR version made.
3) Kenmeri (Ken & Mary, there's even a logo of a little boy and girl standing under an umbrella) GTR version also available.
4) Japan (meaning, made in Japan?) No GTR, but first Turbo available.
5) Newman (I think because Paul Newman did the TV commercials) had a special RS model with a 4 banger turbo (FJ20?). Platform for the modern SR20DET maybe.
6) 7th (now this is not making any sense) No special version here.
7) R32 (yunguns, you start here)
8) R33
9) R34

[Latka]

That's pretty cool. I didn't know about the names until I started digging into the Hakosuka stuff. I ran across th Ken & Mary while searching for that and that left me wondering, "Why in the hell did they name that one Ken & Mary??" :)

[REH]

That's pretty cool. I didn't know about the names until I started digging into the Hakosuka stuff. I ran across th Ken & Mary while searching for that and that left me wondering, "Why in the hell did they name that one Ken & Mary??" :)

I would sure like to know more about why the Skyines had nicknames and why they were chosen. I got a feeling that Nissan has no involvement (except for maybe the original Prince). I think the nicknames came from the public.

[dkmini]

Prince is from the dealerships they are/were sold from right? Kind of like Chevrolet/Pontiac/Buick/etc. is to GM?

Japan (so much heavier than KenMary) was the Skyline we started to dislike; however, Newman version brought back the cool to Skyline (those Paul Newman CM were very cool). This was about the time Newman was campaigning a President-based V8 in his Z car and was kicking butt.

The KenMary was marketed as a theme - the love story of Ken and Mary. Skyline fans actually visit the "landmarks" of the places they showed (went on dates to) in the CMs. There is even a famous KenMary tree, and I'm sure there are many more. As I mentioned in another thread, the girl who played Mary went to my highschool (Terry Miller, '80).

[REH]

Prince is from the dealerships they are/were sold from right? Kind of like Chevrolet/Pontiac/Buick/etc. is to GM?

Japan (so much heavier than KenMary) was the Skyline we started to dislink; however, Newman version brought back the cool to Skyline (those Paul Newman CM were very cool). This was about the time Newman was campaigning a President-based V8 in his Z car and was kicking butt.

The KenMary was marketed as a theme - the love story of Ken and Mary. Skyline fans actually visit the "landmarks" of the places they showed (went on dates to) in the CMs. There is even a famous KenMary tree, and I'm sure there are many more. As I mentioned in another thread, the girl who played Mary went to my highschool (Terry Miller, '80).

I knew you knew more about this than me. My Uncle had a Hakosuka GTX that I used to borrow from him. That car was badazz. It had the L20 six cylinder and twin SU carberators. But, the feel of the car was awesome. Not the cheap feel you get now from modern cars. My FD is so cheap feeling (inside) with all the rattling plastic and rear hatch and all.

[dkmini]

I knew you knew more about this than me. My Uncle had a Hakosuka GTX that I used to borrow from him. That car was badazz. It had the L20 six cylinder and twin SU carberators. But, the feel of the car was awesome. Not the cheap feel you get now from modern cars. My FD is so cheap feeling (inside) with all the rattling plastic and rear hatch and all.

You're right - now that I think of it, one civilian kid at our school had a hakosuka (not GTR) and I use to think it felt so solid (sort of like Bimmers feel to me).

Reading your posts with SU carbs and 48 Webers makes me smile. I remember in high school we were trying to balance out a friend's Solex set-up on his Fairlady and we just couldn't do it right.

Remember shows like Seibu Keisatsu that use to hype GTRs (they used them as police cars)?

[REH]

You're right - now that I think of it, one civilian kid at our school had a hakosuka (not GTR) and I use to think it felt so solid (sort of like Bimmers feel to me).

Reading your posts with SU carbs and 48 Webers makes me smile. I remember in high school we were trying to balance out a friend's Solex set-up on his Fairlady and we just couldn't do it right.

Remember shows like Seibu Keisatsu that use to hype GTRs (they used them as police cars)?

I had triple Solex's on my Japan (on an L28 engine) and I used to sync the carbs by cylinder work load. Here's how it worked: You would hook up a meter to measure RPM (they call this something I can't remember right now. It measures point gap also). Anyhow, then you would shut down 2 carbs by turning the idle linkage screws down. This way only 1 carb would be feeding the engine (engine runs rough as hell though). You get the highest RPM by turning the idle mixture screws on that 1 carb. Repeat this with the other 2 carbs and you're set. This is assuming you have the right jets (I just stuck with the recommended jets and fattened it up in the winter).

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g290/trackblazer/1978Skylineengine.jpg

I didn't watch Japanese terebi much, but I do remember GTR's and Fairlady Z's as cop cars in magazines like Carboy (I think they still use cars like that today).

You're right about BMW's. We bought my ex a 525. Very solid and comfortable. No rattles there.

[Latka]

Ok guys...I found the clip I've been watching over and over and over today... on YouTube. :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hGU-KuA1qYM&search=hakosuka

It's a Hakosuka lapping at Fuji before they closed it down. Of course it's not as clear as the DVD, but the sound is the same. (drool)

I was thinking of getting an early 911 as my next "fun" car, but I'm really leaning towards a GC10 (69 - 72) Skyline now - even if it will be difficult to find a nice one!

[ArchangelX]

No wonder you're posting photos of Skylines. :D

Awesome video clip, by the way. Incredible to watch. Gan-san has balls of steel. :)

[REH]

Ok guys...I found the clip I've been watching over and over and over today... on YouTube. :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hGU-KuA1qYM&search=hakosuka

It's a Hakosuka lapping at Fuji before they closed it down. Of course it's not as clear as the DVD, but the sound is the same. (drool)

I was thinking of getting an early 911 as my next "fun" car, but I'm really leaning towards a GC10 (69 - 72) Skyline now - even if it will be difficult to find a nice one!

That was awesome Andy! If you're looking for a solid 911 Egmar's selling his. The engine is pretty much stock (but strong), but did allot of parts replacing when it comes to the suspension.
Mike "Gan-san", I think, is a term they use for a group of racers. Dirk, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a race series in Japan that the old farts used to race in? I remember Zenpan telling me about this. I'll find out when he gets back from Japan.

[ArchangelX]

Well...on BMI, Gan-san is the oldest guy of the group, I think it's a term of affection for him...heh.

[Latka]

Without looking it up... I think his name is Motuharu Kurosawa. I'm not quite sure how they got "Gan-san" out of that, but that guy can DRIVE.

Egmar's 911 is nice, but it's too new for my taste. :)

From what I've been told there are something like 8 hakosuka sedans and 8 4-doors in the US. How's that for an exclusive ride?

[ArchangelX]

How's that for ridiculously expensive...heh. Have you ever thought about maybe an old-school Corolla? Those things are badazz as well when done right. :D

[Latka]

The ones I've seen - you can pick up a decent one for around $20k. The GT-R, which of course I'd love to have, is like $40k +. I'd settle for a 4 door GT-X, 'cause even that would be way cool.

Corollas are ok, but they're a dime a dozen. Because of the drifting craze I think it'd be hard to find a decent Corolla for sane amounts of money. They do look pretty cool when done up with some Minilite / Panasport wheels, a nice exhaust, suspension, etc.

I've already got a Mini. I can't get something that everyone has. ;)

[ArchangelX]

Mr.Saturday Night Speciallllllll! :hilarious:

I'd get one as long as it came with air conditioning for my fat azz. :hihi:

[Latka]

Hahahaha :)

Yeah, isn't it sad? I studied one of the interior shots I had to see if there's A/C in there. Not 100% sure... but I could survive. Alli *hates* riding in cars without A/C though.

At least it has roll-down windows. Those damn 2 piece sliding windows in the mini are shite for getting air in the car.

[dkmini]

Whooohoooo! I FINALLY got around to clicking the linke - awesome!

REH - not sure about the definition of Gan-san. Usually a nickname like "Gan" would be taken from how a person's name is written in knaji (have to see his name in kanji I guess). One of the kanji characters probably can be read as "Gan" : Japanese kanji have usually have at least two ways they can be read, one when they are combined with another kanji (like in names) and another when they stand alone. Otherwise, we use to use the word "Gan" as stinkeye (as in the stinkeye you give before a fight) - "gan tobashi". It'd be interesting to find out the origin of his nickname.

REH - BTW, seeing the hakosuka (man, the announcer butchered the word yeah?) with the headlight covers reminded me of the Savanna front end covers they use to have (plastic piece that went from headlight-to-headlight). Remember those?

[ArchangelX]

That's the one thing I hate about the US versions of the BMI videos...it's horrible compared to the subtitled versions. I prefer the original with subtitles. That goes for most things Japanese. Hearing it english is just for the lazy. :D

[REH]

It always sounds funny when a westerner says Japanese names. How did he pronounce it? hakosooka? Remember CART announcers pronouncing Hiro Matsushita's name. It went something like this, mashuusta.

I remember a military guy that brought a hakosuka from Japan to the U.S. It was featured in Sport Compact magazine I think. It was a GTX, but had all the accessories of a GTR (minus the engine), like the rear overfenders and grill & taillights. Actually an L28 motor with triple carbs had more power than the twin cam, 4 valve, 2 liter engine of the GTR.

[Latka]

That's the dude in Georgia I believe. Black car?

I saw a quote from an import company - $10 - 12k plus shipping for a Hakosuka 2 door. (GT or GT-X. I'm sure the GT-R would be a lot more) That's definitely doable. It's my next car after the Mini is done. Yay. Unique cars rock. :)

I'd like to keep a "period" straight six in it but maybe build it up a bit. Then I'll have to either bribe Tom or just chain him to my lanai so he can help me with the triple webers.

One thing is for certain - it's going to be loud.

[rhscare]

Rip the fender mirrors off!!! *gasp* Thats one of the best parts of these old school circuit racers. Like the old SA22's...I think they look awesome.

This is my friends RHD SA back in Vegas. Not a skyline but still sweet.

http://vegasrotary.com/images/fb_2.jpg

[Latka]

I've never liked 'em, but since it's part of the car they'd stay. I guess it's more of a Japanese thing!

Man I really want a Hakosuka now.

That's a nice RX-7!

[dkmini]

I guess it's more of a Japanese thing!


It was actually the law. We use to take the fender mirrors off and get constantly hassled by the mappo. Since the law has changed (a long time ago) I think there are only maybe one or two cars that still have fender mirrors.

[Graham]

When I was in Japan, it seemed like all the taxis had fender mirrors. Most other cars didn't. I don't know why, maybe the taxis need them when they cut other drivers off, who knows.

[ArchangelX]

Did you take a taxi-ride Graham? Did they have room for you? :D

[Latka]

Hahahaha... this rocks!

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/1972Skyline.mpeg (KenMary)

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/skyline-kgc10.wmv (Hakosuka!)

[dkmini]

Hahahaha... this rocks!

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/1972Skyline.mpeg (KenMary)

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/skyline-kgc10.wmv (Hakosuka!)

AWESOME! How the heck do they have this stuff on the net?

I didn't know the Hakosuka was known as the "Skyline of Love." The voice-over said the GT-X has 130hp. I could've sworn that they used that same catch-phrase on another version too - maybe it's for the GT-X? I dunno.

This KenMary is the first campaign and does not have the chick who went to my school in it. Still awesome! If this was 1972, then I still lived in Tachikawa but don't remember it (too young I guess).

[Latka]

[quote=dkmini]I didn't know the Hakosuka was known as the "Skyline of Love." quote]

Sweet! That would explain the decal I always see - it has "SKYLINE" in a big heart. Ahhhh... it all makes sense now.

I thought you'd get a kick out of those ads, Dirk. Doesn't the internet kick ass? :) I was on that Nicoclub website and stumbled into the advertisement section - was suprised to see Skyline commercials - and totally shocked to see the old ones.

[dkmini]

[quote=dkmini]I didn't know the Hakosuka was known as the "Skyline of Love." quote]

Sweet! That would explain the decal I always see - it has "SKYLINE" in a big heart. Ahhhh... it all makes sense now.

I thought you'd get a kick out of those ads, Dirk. Doesn't the internet kick ass? :) I was on that Nicoclub website and stumbled into the advertisement section - was suprised to see Skyline commercials - and totally shocked to see the old ones.

When I was in high school (around that time) there were some cool ones with Paul Newman in them. I think he was symbol of Skyline Japan (or was it the one after that?). He was campaigning a Z with a President-based V8 at the circuits at the time. Find the P.N. ones and you get extra points. :afro:

Andy, thanks for the flash-back man! I am sure Tom will get a kick out of them too. Hopefully, Bill logs in from Washington too.

[Latka]

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. :)

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/1983.mpeg

From the commercial - "It's a Skyline, I know it's terrific!" Hahahahah :)

Here are all the skyline videos:
http://www.nicoclub.com/commercials.shtml#skyline

[dkmini]

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. :)

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/1983.mpeg

From the commercial - "It's a Skyline, I know it's terrific!" Hahahahah :)

Here are all the skyline videos:
http://www.nicoclub.com/commercials.shtml#skyline

Thanks for the link man! Jackpot! OK, now find the "other" KenMary vid.

[Latka]

Coming soon... www.hakosuka.net (http://www.hakosuka.net) :)

By "Soon" I mean once the hell I figure out what I'm doing.

Oh - found the guy (Brian) in San Diego with the Hakosuka + RB26DETT. Apparently he just picked up a '74 Kenmary also.

http://forums.freshalloy.com/showthread.php?p=1294061 (pics)

[REH]

Hahahaha... this rocks!

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/1972Skyline.mpeg (KenMary)

http://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-vids/skyline-kgc10.wmv (Hakosuka!)

I didn't get to see the Kenmary commercial (it didn't download), anyhow the hakosuka commercial has 2 versions of the car. Look close, the GT has a longer hood, yes they come out with a four banger version. Be careful Andy when you're shopping around. The four cylinder Skyline ain't worth crap. While the GT versions had independent rear suspension the shorter frontend 4cylinder Skyline had a solid rear axle with leaf springs. They called this car the Skyline GL. We used to tease my friend who had one because it was so lame to own one. His name was Joe, so his nickname was "GL Joe". After high school he later bought a Kenmary GT with triple solexes.

[Latka]

"GL Joe" Hahahahahah :)

Sounds like I'd want the GT-X for the creature comforts and the power.

I found the dude who's car was in Fast & Furious 3 .... even though I think we didn't actually see it in the movie. He's got a 2 door GT-X that he put the GT-R badging on and threw the L28 engine in. Apparently it was in the April '06 Super Street magazine. I need to see if I can get a back-order of that!

[REH]

Ah-ha. That's the one that I saw. It was the same color as the one you posted originally (I think). Even if you find a GTX hakosuka, I think they're badass. With modern technology, you could have one badass Skyline. Keep me posted if you're serious about buying a car like this . . . I might be able to help.

Oh, I talked to Zenpan about Gan-san. Thats the guy's nickname, well known racer. I was thinking of another similar name for the elderly racer group. Dirk, Gan in kanji is the same as . . . what was it? . . . moto or something.

[Latka]

yeah - the GT-R would of course be my choice, but from what I've seen the $40 - 50K price range is not unheard of. A GT-X would be way cool, even if it was 4-door. The Datsun L28 engine like you suggested... some head work, a hot cam, big carbs... I think it would be a LOT of fun. oh - and of course as little exhaust as possible. Maybe just the Cherry Bomb like my Mini had. ;)

I'm definitely serious about getting one. I just need to get the restoration of my '66 Mini Cooper S done first. I have learned that I'm not very good at dealing with multiple projects - I'm much better if I can start and finish one rather than start, stop, start, stop.

(2nd edit...sheesh. You think I could finish a thought!) The black 2 door GT-X that the guy in Atlanta has came from Okinawa. I wonder if it'd be easier to get one from there than "mainland" Japan?

[royuno]

Did you take a taxi-ride Graham? Did they have room for you? :D

Dude, as soon as Graham-chan got out of Narita, he busted out his camera and used up all his memory taking pictures of cars. lol.

Also, I live in a suuuuper old school house in downtown Tokyo, (Sumida-ku, Yahiro.) like built pre-WWII, so the doorway is ridiculously short that even I almost have to watch my head. Anyway, Graham got up to use the loo and he full-on bashed his head. lol.

He also did the same thing coming back.

[Latka]

that's probably what'd happen to me. My compact flash cards woudl be smokin' cause I'd be using them so much. :)

My buddy who grew up in Hiroshima wants to take me there - out to the country. He said it's going to be funny 'cause people will stare at me on account of my freakish size. :)

[royuno]

They would fo' sho'!
Graham's 6'3" and like 250 or something.
He could never get lost though, cuz you could see his head sticking out in the crowd from a mile away. lol.

[REH]

"GL Joe" Hahahahahah :)

Sounds like I'd want the GT-X for the creature comforts and the power.

I found the dude who's car was in Fast & Furious 3 .... even though I think we didn't actually see it in the movie. He's got a 2 door GT-X that he put the GT-R badging on and threw the L28 engine in. Apparently it was in the April '06 Super Street magazine. I need to see if I can get a back-order of that!

If it was in Super Street I probably have that. I later dropped the Super Street subscription for Modified.

[REH]

yeah - the GT-R would of course be my choice, but from what I've seen the $40 - 50K price range is not unheard of. A GT-X would be way cool, even if it was 4-door. The Datsun L28 engine like you suggested... some head work, a hot cam, big carbs... I think it would be a LOT of fun. oh - and of course as little exhaust as possible. Maybe just the Cherry Bomb like my Mini had. ;)

I'm definitely serious about getting one. I just need to get the restoration of my '66 Mini Cooper S done first. I have learned that I'm not very good at dealing with multiple projects - I'm much better if I can start and finish one rather than start, stop, start, stop.

(2nd edit...sheesh. You think I could finish a thought!) The black 2 door GT-X that the guy in Atlanta has came from Okinawa. I wonder if it'd be easier to get one from there than "mainland" Japan?

The Nissan L28 engine? God, have you heard Egmar's car? That's what in his 240Z built by Rebello, only $8,000. I think Egmar said it had around 300HP. It looks and sounds like more.

I remember in Japan they used to get a LD28 (2.8L diesel) crank shaft and put into the L28 engine. One Skyline had 400HP with that setup. This is normally aspirated remember. But, of course it was "full tune". I think it was a 3.1 liter engine after all the work. This is before tuners started to mess around with turbos. Egmar's engine is a 3.1 liter too I think. Hey, he's selling that car as well. Maybe talk him into parting it out and getting the engine.

[REH]

Dude, as soon as Graham-chan got out of Narita, he busted out his camera and used up all his memory taking pictures of cars. lol.

Also, I live in a suuuuper old school house in downtown Tokyo, (Sumida-ku, Yahiro.) like built pre-WWII, so the doorway is ridiculously short that even I almost have to watch my head. Anyway, Graham got up to use the loo and he full-on bashed his head. lol.

He also did the same thing coming back.

Yeah, I still remember those houses in Oki. Even I had to duck when entering my grandmother's house. She's still alive too. She's about 93 now. You know those Okinawans . . . they're like turtles and elephants.

[Latka]

Ah - my bad. You mentioned Egmar and I immediately thought of his white Porsche 911. :) I forgot about the "other car". I never heard his Z run - but I think I saw it at a car show. White with red & blue stripes or something like that?

[REH]

Ah - my bad. You mentioned Egmar and I immediately thought of his white Porsche 911. :) I forgot about the "other car". I never heard his Z run - but I think I saw it at a car show. White with red & blue stripes or something like that?

Yup that's the one. Car looks like crap, but it's the motor, the motor! Actually Rebello is a well known race engine building company.

[Latka]

Anyone got Egmar's e-mail address? I'm not ready to make any purchases yet, but it would be nice to let him know I'd be interested at a later date.

Not sure I want a full race motor in a mostly street car though. Probably has some wild-ass cam that's set up for like 7000-9000rpm. :)

[royuno]

Ach ja! Das ist ein Animal Motor! Ein Beast!

Loud as hell though, I couldn't have a conversation with Dave one time because Egmar pitted right by the tent. lol.

[dkmini]

Ah-ha. That's the one that I saw. It was the same color as the one you posted originally (I think). Even if you find a GTX hakosuka, I think they're badass. With modern technology, you could have one badass Skyline. Keep me posted if you're serious about buying a car like this . . . I might be able to help.

Oh, I talked to Zenpan about Gan-san. Thats the guy's nickname, well known racer. I was thinking of another similar name for the elderly racer group. Dirk, Gan in kanji is the same as . . . what was it? . . . moto or something.

Yeah, "Motoharu" can be read as "Gan" in kanji (depends on how it's read).

[Latka]

I have wanted to learn Japanese since High School. I still want to, but I'm afraid my brain will explode from the effort!

[rhscare]

Anyone got Egmar's e-mail address? I'm not ready to make any purchases yet, but it would be nice to let him know I'd be interested at a later date.

Not sure I want a full race motor in a mostly street car though. Probably has some wild-ass cam that's set up for like 7000-9000rpm. :)

13b? oh wait....cams...what a waste :)

[Latka]

Torque. It's what's for breakfast. Too bad you Rotary guys aren't invited.

http://www.alibre.com/images/other/partner/msc/Piston.gif:disturbed: