For many years, the closest experience Americans could get to the iconic “Godzilla” was through video games, leaving U.S. consumers with little option other than to cleverly import an older Skyline. Therefore, when the Nissan GT-R finally made its debut in the United States, it was celebrated with great enthusiasm. But where did this remarkable journey begin?
As reported by Nissan, the story traces back to the Suzuka Circuit in 1964. The new Skyline GT had recently been homologated, with a hundred units completed just in time for the race. This model featured a longer nose and a straight-six engine equipped with three carburetors.
Acclaimed driver Yoshikazu Sunako jumped in for practice laps and quickly recognized he was driving something exceptional. At the end of the practice session, the car achieved the fastest lap at 2:47. When race day arrived, the Skyline secured second place behind the formidable Porsche 904 Carrera GTS. However, there was a brief moment during the race when the Skyline took the lead over the Porsche, igniting excitement among the Japanese spectators.
In the end, while the Porsche, boasting a top speed exceeding 155 mph, won the race, the Skyline had made its mark. For many Japanese motorsport enthusiasts, this event signified a pivotal moment in the country’s racing history. Toshiyuki Shiga, the former Chief Operating Officer of Nissan, reminisced, “I was just nine years old at the time, but I still recall the huge news. 1964 marked the beginning of Japanese motorization. Nissan always spearheaded motorsports initiatives. I was filled with joy; it was my dream, and I aspired to join Nissan.”
Fast forward 53 years and 11 generations of Skylines later, Nissan is honoring this iconic car as part of its NISMO Festival this year, an annual event celebrating fans that was first held two decades ago. It’s remarkable to think it all began with a second-place finish so long ago.
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