IMPORT SPECIALISTS: NISSAN SILVIA
Nissan has always separated its cars into several different platforms which still exists, to a certain degree, even today. One of the most popular platforms has always been the company's line of S models. The sports coupe of the S platform is a long-running line of cars called the Nissan Silvia. Although relatively unknown in North America, the Silvia line has had a long, rich history.
The first model Nissan Silvia was the CSP311 and was first introduced in 1964 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The car was originally a hand-built coupe based on the Fairlady convertible. The car had a short production run which ended in 1968 after only selling 554 cars. Each car featured unique hand formed body panels which made the model very valuable. After the car's limited production, the Silvia name was lifted from the Nissan line and would not be used again until 1974.
The early variations of the Silvia were largely failures. Nissan tried different techniques in trying to find the car a niche market. The first variation was too plain and most consumers opted to buy the Toyota Celica instead. The next variation became Nissan's attempt at creating a production rotary engine. The car saw major reliability problems and prompted Nissan to abandon the rotary engine for a traditional piston engine.
By 1989, with the introduction of the Silvia S13, the company finally found a market for the struggling line. The S12 had become Nissan's test bench for many new technologies and in many ways the S13 was the result of many of the new features tested and developed from its predecessor. The S13 was one of the first cars on the market to offer multi-link rear suspension as well as one of the first cars to offer a successful four-wheel steering system (know as HICAS on Nissan models). The S13 also featured a viscous-type limited slip differential which was well complimented by its rigid body allowing for excellent traction and cornering.
Like the Nissan 240sx and 180sx models, the Silvia was also built on Nissan's S13 chassis and was initially powered by the same CA18DE and CA18DET engines. Later models (1990 and up) the CA line of engines were replaced by the SR20DE and SR20DET engines along with the 240sx and 180sx models.
The Silvia S13 was available in serveral different models: J; Q; and K. The three models (meant to reference the face card from English playing cards) designated different trim levels or "grades". The J model was the base model with few options and 14 inch wheels. The Q model came with electronic options (door locks and windows) and offered an available LSD. The K model came fully loaded and was powered by the turbocharged CA18DET or the SR20DET depending on the manufacturing year. The rare A models were also available as of late 1992, offering a "purer" form of sports car. The A models came with more options than the J model but not quite all the options available in the Q. The A was only available with the SR20DE coupled with a 4 speed automatic transmission.
Unlike the 240sx, the Silvia was never available to North American markets, making it a fan favorite of JDM drivers looking for a cheap alternative to the Nissan Skyline. Another popular option is for owners of 240sxs in North America to import Silvia front clips to not only swap out the engines but the body parts as well to create Nissan's unofficial Sileighty model.
Featuring new technologies and good looks, the Silvia became immensely popular for a variety of different reasons. A two-door, FR coupe at a reasonable price offering tight handling and cornering, the Silvia is finding renewed popularity as S13s become available in North America.
|
| Car Specifications |
| Make: |
Nissan |
| Model: |
Silvia |
| Production: |
1989 - 1993 |
| Generation: |
Fifth Generation (S13) |
| Stock Engine: |
CA18DE |
| Stock Horse Power: |
135 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Wheel Base: |
2475 mm (97 in) |
| Length: |
4470 mm (176 in) |
| Width: |
1690 mm (66 in) |
| Height: |
1290 mm (50 in) |
| Curb Weight: |
1110 kg (2450 lb) |
|
|
|
RELATED: KNOWLEDGE BASE / ARTICLES
|
|
Copyright Import Specialists 2008
|
|
