Skyline: A history in 12 generations: Gen 7, “the Seven”

1985 Skyline GT Passage Twin-cam KRR31

After the success of the R30 sixth generation, Nissan didn’t make many external changes to the new R31 series. But they did introduce new DOHC engines, and while the GT-R wasn’t back in name, it was back in spirit in the top-of-the line GTS-R.

1986 Nissan Skyline GT Passage Turbo wagon WHJR31

The seventh-generation Skyline (R31), commonly known as the “Seven”, was launched  August 19, 1985. With this model, the six-cylinder DOHC , last used on the C110, was reintroduced and in autumn that same year, a race-specification machine was exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show, where it attracted longing looks from visitors. From 1986 it competed in the All Japan Championship, in which driver A. Suzuki clinched the Constructor and Driver categories.

1985 Skyline GT Passage Twin-cam KRR31 Tokyo show car

At launch, the R31 was available as either a four-door sedan or a four-door hardtop, but in May of the following year a coupe was added to the lineup. On August 21, 1987, the GTS-R – base car for Group A races – was launched as a limited-edition model (800 units). The GTR-S was a pure sports model, equipped with a Garrett high-pressure turbocharger and stainless steel exhaust manifold, increasing engine output from the GTS’s 187hp to 207hp (both net values).

The vehicle shown was a racing car manufactured by NME – Nissan Motorsports Europe, the subsidiary established in England as a European base for Nissan Motor Sports International. It was used by Allan Grice and Win Percy to compete in the 1988 European Touring Car Championship (ETCC).

1988 Skyline GTS-R KHR31 1988 European Touring Car Championship entry

At the 24-hour Spa-Francorchamps race in Belgium, one of the world’s three top endurance races, Anders Olofsson – a member of the Nissan team for the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship (JSPC) – joined Grice and Percy and the trio came in 6th overall.

1987 Nissan Skyline 2000GTS-R KRR31

1985 Skyline GT Passage Twin-cam KRR31
SPECS (race trim)

Overall length / width / height	183.46/66.54/54.53 inches
Wheelbase	102.95 inches
Tread (front/rear)	56.1/55.91 inches
Engine	DOHC RB20DET straight-six, 1,998CC
Max. power, hp	c. 296
Max. torque, lbs.ft	c. 253
Suspension (front, rear)	Strut, semi trailing-arm
Brakes	Disc (front & rear)
Tires	240/625-16

1988 Skyline GTS-R KHR31
SPECS (1988 European Touring Car Championship entry)

Overall length / width / height	183.46/66.54/52.17 inches
Wheelbase	102.95 inches
Tread (front/rear)	57.48/57.8 inches
Curb weight	2,557 pounds
Engine	DOHC RB20DET-R straight-six, 2,029CC
Max. power, Hp@RPM	394@7,200
Max. torque, lbs.ft.@RPM	304@6,000
Transmission	5-speed, floor shift (F5D77)
Suspension (front, rear)	Strut, semi trailing-arm
Brakes	AP ventilated disc (front: 14in.; rear: 12in.)
Tires	230/660R17

For more Skylinery, visit the JBCar pages and Skyliner Owners Forum (home of over 1.2 million posts. Yikes.)