Before the iconic simulation game Grand Turismo and Hollywood blockbuster 2 Fast Furious that got the world crazy for the Skyline GT-Rs, we need to go back in time and understand how one luxury sedan started all these frenzy, and how it evolved throughout the decades to make the haloed GT-R moniker.
Up to the merger with Nissan in 1966, Prince Motor Company was a manufacturer of luxury cars in which the Skyline name plaque roots from. The C10 generation was released two years after, with the goal of raising the bar in Nissan’s model range with the Skyline C10 in 1968.
Due to its boxy and angular design, it was known as the Hakosuka (“Hako” means “box” in Japanese, and “suka” is the first few syllables of Sukairain).
Although famously, people usually misconceived that the Hakosuka was first introduced as a two door coupe. Little did you know they started as a SWB 4-cylinder four-door sedan and in wagon form too! The coupe was offered in 1971 with trim levels such as GT, GT-X and the most sought after – GT-R.
History aside, the Hakosuka holds a place deep in the hearts of many enthusiasts today being known as the true root of the Godzilla DNA. The one featured here is not a GT-R, but a Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-X. Some of you might call this as KPGC-10, but as a matter of fact it’s actually a KGC-10. Now, as you might ask, what’s the meaning behind this model code? Let’s clear the air here :
K – Denoted as two-door hardtop variant.
P – Prince’s initial letter, it was added to be recognized for the S20 they’ve developed.
G – Denoted as the longer nose body type and cars with 6-cylinder engines.
C10 – Signifies the generation.
Usually Hakosukas are painted in a common silver colour, but this right here is painted in Nissan’s Safari Gold 920, which gives a rather unique look for the boxy Skyline.
Apart from the bright gold paint, the exterior remained relatively stock except the badges were swapped to the GT-R instead of GT-X, and added the front fender flares to make way for the wider wheels. A front splitter and the rear spoiler was added to finish off the iconic 2000 GT-R look. Car is currently rolling on a set of Hayashi Street rims which gives it a distinct look while others are on 8-spoke Watanabes
There are two 6-cylinder engine options that were offered from the factory, one is the 2 litre SOHC L20 engine for the GT and GT-X, and the racing derived DOHC 24-valve S20 engine for the GT-R. The car we’re looking at right here still retains the L series block, although reworked and uprated with a triple Mikuni carburetor to pump out more smiles per gallon.
Inside the car it gives out the nostalgia vibes, from the wood trims to the switches and even the factory radio! To make it a more proper driver’s car, the driver’s seat was swapped for a vintage bucket seat paired with Schroth seat belts and the steering wheel was changed to Datsun’s Competition Steering wheel.
Seeing the Hakosuka strolling down the roads of Malaysia is certainly an astonishing view. We shot this back in 2017 and this is one of the first Hakosuka Skyline ever imported to our shores. Understanding that our classic import regulation stands at 35 years, the Hakosuka is now eligible and since, we’ve also had a few more being imported and now residing in Boleh Land. Yet, it is still a rare sight because even a non GT-R spec Hako will still fetch a rather high value in Japan and only true enthusiasts would be willing to add this into their collection.
Although this may not be the same as the legendary 2000 GT-R, we believe each car has its own characteristic that we should really appreciate, especially coming from this era. To Shinichiro Sakurai, we sincerely thank you for your creations that made a huge impact on the automotive world.
***Note: This was shot and written back in 2017, before the car undergoes extensive rebuild by Faroib Autosport. The latest update is a L30 engine with much more modernized setup. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to revisit this build soon!
Written By | Chua Chung Zhi
