IGN: JDM Evolution Silvia
Out with it, the styling on this last gen Silvia represents the ultimate in pre-Ghosn Nissan design. Forget the heavy-duty, ultra-wide Skyline GT-R, the Silvia's sleek looks and stylish, wedge-shaped design have a sort of finesse the Skyline never attained.
Nissan Silvia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Before the series of budget coupes, the Silvia name was first introduced in 1964. The CSP311 Silvia was a hand-built coupe based on the Fairlady convertible, styled with input from Albrecht Goertz. Production ceased in 1968 after a mere hundreds were made, every one unique with hand-formed body panels. A majority of exports were sent to Australia, most of the cars, however, remained domestic. The S110 was the next in the chain. This Silvia was unusual because it featured a rotary engine, designed and built by Nissan. This engine however was fairly unreliable, and forestalled extended production; It was intended for the model change in 1984, but wasn't retained that long. Ironically it shared a chassis code with the also ill-fated Mazda Cosmo, first Japanese production car to feature a rotary engine. This saw the debut of the "Gazelle" name, used for the luxury models of the S110. It was rebuilt shortly after it was originally released, the rotary replaced by several piston engines for different markets, including the new Z-engine, in 2 litre form. SX used a coupe-type body style with a standard notchback trunk and exposed headlights on all models except the S13 Silvia softtop convertible and the S15 Silvia Varietta (a non-turbocharged, Japanese-market, hardtop convertible).
Fast Fours :: Four, Rotary and Hi-Tech Performance
In 1974, Nissan released the S10, still will a similar open grille as the original model, the S11 and S110 followed but really weren't a big seller. The new S12 model changed all that. Better known as the Nissan Gazelle in Australia, the new shape was far sleeker and appealing to the public. The car was also sold in different guises that being a 2 door coupe or hatch and was also built using non turbo versions of the FJ20 and CA18 4 cylinder engines depending on the country the car was sold in. As popularity and sales increased of the S12, a new S13 model was born in 1988. Like the S12, the new Silvia 2 door coupe was available in turbo and non turbo versions of the CA-18 engine. Around a year later the 180sx was released with Nissan referring to it as the RS13. The release of the S14 saw the drop of all engine variants to solely rely on the SR20DET 2ltr turbo engine. Sold as the 200sx in Australia, it was the first time since the release of the Gazelle that the Silvia was available through Nissan Australia. The styling was simply and evolution of the previous S13 model and proved to be a great success with the critics.
1997 Nissan Silvia
And finally, there is the Silvia: a 1997 Nissan 240SX that he built as close to Japanese specs as is possible in Southern California. Its distinction cannot be measured in trophies nor its exquisiteness in metaphors. During the photo shoot, the Silvia found its proper stage under the studio lights. Photographer extraordinaire (and part-time Kelly Slater wannabe) Wes Allison reined in every subtle detail. From the front, the car looks vicious. The bumper is unmistakably R33 Skyline GT (part of a custom-crafted body kit by Non under his shop tag, Enonvativ Force). The fenders bulge out in monstrous flares. Bomex aero side mirrors flush out from the windshield frame, balancing the top with the oversized bottom. The Silvia isn't short in the sight and sounds department. A Kenwood 400W amp powers Image Dynamic IDQ-12 woofers. An Addzest (Japanese version of Clarion) VRX8250 deck shoots out from its slot in the dash and flips to reveal a monitor with a TV antenna (a Zender radio antenna pulls in the audio frequencies). But the monitor isn't just there for Love Boat reruns. Also hooked up to the screen is an HKS Camp System, which provides digital readouts of everything going on within the engine.
The NISSAN Silvia 1600
According to Goertz, Japanese designers didn't visualize the car as a single entity, but rather an amalgamation of different ideas. Under his guidance the Silvia Sports Coupe (which had already been started when he was hired by NISSAN) was transformed into a neat, continental styled coupe.
Buy.com - Extreme Tuner Nissan Silvia S-15 Die-Cast Vehicle - Blue
Highly detailed Extreme Tuner die-cast vehicle features working taillights, headlights and chassis lights. Open the Nissan Silvia S-15's hood to see the detailed engine. Open the doors to show the seats, equipped with full racing harness. 1:12 scale means it's more than 15 inches long.
Nissan Silvia GT Body WB 140mm -- Item No. 264877
Available from HPI Racing is a new body for Micro enthusiasts: the Nissan Silvia GT! This body features a 140mm wheelbase for fast response and replicates the very popular Nissan Silvia GT cars raced in the JGTC racing series in Japan!