Featured: Dreaming Of JDM: A 1983 Nissan Skyline RS-Turbo Living Abroad

Dreaming Of JDM: A 1983 Nissan Skyline RS-Turbo Living Abroad

By Daniel Piker
May 31, 2018

The Iron Mask. Also known as Tekkamen in Japanese, the Nissan R30 Skyline will always be known for its distinctive front-end look. As part of a very impressive lineage and often overlooked when compared with its younger and far faster siblings, the R30-generation of Nissan’s beloved Skyline is still special in its own right. Winding back the clock 40-odd years, and we are looking at the first introduction of the FJ20 engine, the beginning of the modern Japanese performance vehicle.

While this four-cylinder may not look like anything exceptional, the motor was the first of its kind. It was the first from a Japanese manufacturer to introduce two more valves per cylinder in a four-banger. Along with this, the higher-spec versions of the R30 (like this one) had adjustable suspension dampers that could be changed on the go, another first for mass-produced Japanese cars.

This specific RS-Turbo model houses the FJ20ET engine to be more precise, which brought the power up from the regular 148 to an impressive 188hp, which in its time was the most powerful Japanese production engine ever created. This car is also a rare example of the 50th Anniversary Edition, which featured a two tone red and black interior with red moquette door inserts, chrome mirror caps, and rain sensing wipers. It is one of only 400 produced, and just think, how many have survived in this condition?

In 2013, the current owner, Martin, first came across this 1983 RS-Turbo while randomly browsing local Craigslist ads in Seattle. The car at the time was owned by Ishii Motors in Bellevue and had originally been ordered for import by a customer in late-2010. Upon arriving in the US, the original customer changed his mind and decided to purchase a modern R35 GT-R instead, leaving the R30 somewhat homeless. Over the next two years, the car stayed in the possession of Ishii until Martin stumbled across their ad. He had never seen this type of Skyline before and was immediately drawn by its quirky yet appealing, very quintessentially-‘80s design.

It was an extremely original and unmolested example for its age, with only 92,344km on the clock (just about 57,380mi). After an extremely joyous and convincing test drive, Martin drove the car home the very next day and has been smitten with the car ever since. 

After purchasing the car, Martin has tried to keep it as original as possible, and when he has modified it he’s made sure to only do reversible upgrades. He has added the Rays TE37V wheels (an appropriate choice), lowering springs, and a front strut tower bar made by Jenesis (a DR30 specialist shop in Japan). The interior is mostly untouched with the exception of a head unit and a six-disc CD changer located in the trunk, and while we might not like the added weight of such things, they were all previously installed by its prior owner in Japan. To complete the nostalgic JDM driving experience, it even came with the previous owner’s selection of Japanese mid-90’s music! So, not so bad if you think about it.

One of the more interesting details about the car is that it is a lucky survivor of the Fukushima Nuclear disaster, which was a part of the aftermath of the devastating tsunami and earthquake that shocked Japan in 2011. If the car hadn’t been imported a couple months prior, it would most likely be rotting away in the depths of the Pacific Ocean given where it was located back then. Martin says: “I feel somewhat of a duty to ensure that it continues to survive into the future,” and fittingly, he plans on keeping the car for life.

Join the Conversation
3.5 2 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
31 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Arthur Bryant
Arthur Bryant
1 year ago

helpful share, I definitely share it with my friend

John 007
John 007
1 year ago

Tonton Kepala Bergetar Online Full episods, watch Malay drama Live episods on
DFM2U terkini videos, Melayu drama, tv3.

<a href=”https://dfm2utv.club/”>Kepala Bergetar</a>

sara kays
sara kays
1 year ago

Unique and informative article on this topic Angry Birds Friends

moz zurrain
moz zurrain
1 year ago

In India the government is giving its Kisans a good scheme for their farms and their vehicles.
Read on for more info here: https://esarkar.net/pm-kisan-installment-beneficiary-list-status/

Alex Stoinis
Alex Stoinis
1 year ago

I love to drive cars so I play racing games that I get from Trust My APKs. So if you also want to play racing games then go to this website.

Jesse
Jesse
1 year ago

Physical and mental wellness are essential for leading a happy and healthy life. Physical wellness involves taking care of your body through regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and maintaining good hygiene. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and boost energy levels.

the chair guider
the chair guider
1 year ago

If you interested to see OnlyFans page then you can visit light house resource center for more page.

the chair guider
the chair guider
1 year ago

Wow such a beautiful article sir. If you looking for office chairs for heavy people then you can visit us. Because here we provide you best offices chairs according to your criteria.

Moon
Moon
2 years ago

Best post This is an awesome article, Given such an extraordinary measure of data in it, These sort of articles keeps the customers excitement for the site, and keep sharing more. Watch Korean chines Dramas on https://myasiantv.cool/

saanthapat
saanthapat
2 years ago

Thanks for this article. You can download ROK MOD.

Najam Awan
Najam Awan
2 years ago

Facebook Video Downloader Online, Download Facebook Videos and Save them directly from facebook watch to your computer or mobile for Free without Software.

Najam Awan
Najam Awan
2 years ago

Car Parking Multiplayer MOD APK
f you’re tired of the same old game, try the Mod version of Car Parking Multiplayer. These Mod versions include the Levels mode, Communication with other players, and Speed hacks. The main goal of these mod versions is to help you beat other players and make your game even better. 

apkmodyes
apkmodyes
2 years ago

APKMODYES is a completely free website, we share games, android premium apps with high-quality mods.

doramasvip
doramasvip
2 years ago

Mira dramas coreanos, chinos, tailandeses y japoneses en línea,
Estreno con subtítulos en español gratis.
doramasvip

robert lan
robert lan
2 years ago

I like it

Last edited 2 years ago by robert lan
robert lan
robert lan
2 years ago

This model is so dashing. Would you mind checking https://techlarapoint.com/bombitup-apk/

JetKo 03
JetKo 03
2 years ago

Bonjour, autorisation de promotion sur mon site, merci
https://www.jejakterkini.com

Yaina
Yaina
2 years ago

Hotstar is the best Indian based entertainment application is for android, iOS, and Windows smartphones and tablets. 

https://divyamod.com/hotstar-mod-apk/

Haidar Khan
Haidar Khan
2 years ago

Just amazing collection you have added here. Thank You So much!
https://divyanet.com/hotstar-mod-apk/

Kiuneen
Kiuneen
3 years ago

So excited to read this helpful share, I definitely share it with my friend via https://apkmodget.com/apps/gb-whatsapp/

Ethan Walker
Ethan Walker
3 years ago

WOW!!!! Great car, I hope I can have that kind of car in the future! As of now, I’ll just enjoy reading your articles. https://www.watersoftenersolutions.com/

tomhiddleston
tomhiddleston
3 years ago

So excited to read this helpful share, I definitely share it with my friend via https://otherwhatsapp.com/

patrapofyu
patrapofyu
4 years ago

Bring https://plex.software/ on the for my random girl.

patrapofyu
patrapofyu
4 years ago

In the need, https://tutuappx.com/ on the frankly for me.

patrapofyu
patrapofyu
4 years ago

For me, Vidmate as of now to be frnak.

Tim Verheij
Tim Verheij
5 years ago

Nice… someday I’ll import one of these bad boys

Douglas Anderson
Douglas Anderson
6 years ago

Bleh, these cars do not get my heart started at all.
True, to some youngster with no real understanding of what makes a great car they may be something. The idea that because they were never imported to the USA , so that makes them any thing more than interesting is just plain silly.

Kuroneko
Kuroneko
6 years ago

What is silly is a parochial view of anything. These cars are special, just not special in your limited view. Their non-USA history is worth looking at…

Kuroneko
Kuroneko
6 years ago

Hardly a ‘survivor’ if it was exported months before the earthquake. A bit suspect too, as that wrong-colored license plate clearly says ‘Nagano’.

Juan Diego Valenzuela Waters
Juan Diego Valenzuela Waters
6 years ago

Incredible car! see one of these in that condition it’s so exciting.
Find an SKYLINE, especially from the 80’s, in my country (Perú) it’s so hard. Hope I can own it one day.

Adri
Adri
6 years ago

Love this <3
80's japancars are so cool, and full of personality.
Still one on my dream car with the R31.

Petrolicious Newsletter