1989 Nissan Skyline SVD Silhouette R31 GTS – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 28.05.2018

Rare ADM R31 offers collectible Japanese classic for a great price

Collectible Australian-delivered Nissans are a niche breed, most obviously headlined by the first 100 ADM R32 Skyline GTRs.

Prior to that however, in the early 80s, Nissan decided to release the Skyline locally to weigh in on the emerging six-cylinder wars between the Falcon and Commodore.

While, Mark Skaife and Jim Richards were a constant feature on racetracks around the country, in a factory-backed R31 Skyline GTS-R - bashing wheels with Holden and Ford legends of yore, such a Peter Brock and Dick Johnson - Nissan launched the Special Vehicles Division (SVD) in 1988 with a limited run of 200 R31 SVD GTS’.

Available in white only, they were a tuned-up version of the more pedestrian Skylines with a power output increased to 130kW and gained other upgrades such as oil and auto-trans coolers, Bilstein dampers and larger brakes.

In mid-1989, Nissan’s SVD released a second series of SVD GTS’, colloquially known as the GTS2 to differentiate it with the earlier 1988 cars.

Again, 200 were made, 96 in manual and 104 in automatic.

Only available in Beacon Red, with white wheels, the car’s engine was more extensively worked lifting a further 10kW out over the previous SVD GTS.

This  GTS2 SVD Silhouette is one of those 94 factory manuals (car number #72).

The original 3.0lt inline six RB30 powerhouse remains mated to the factory 5-speed manual, and the car currently has 297,000kms posted on the odo.

A few modifications and upgrades have been undertaken; including rebuilt factory Bilstein shocks, 2.25" stainless steel exhaust with high-flow cat, Nistune ECU remap, new battery and serviced injectors.

The car sits on 16x7 Simmons OM16 wheels but comes with the original GTS2 wheels.

The seller states the paint is average, which may be expected for a car of this age, but comes with a full suite of replacement stickers. The driver’s seat bolster is torn which again is extremely common on Nissan of this vintage, and the steering wheel could use a retrim.

This is a rare and collectible limited-run Australian delivered car. While it may not carry the weight of those first 100 R32 GTRs, it doesn’t carry the price tag either.

All on offer for $12,990; the car is in fine running condition. If someone is willing to give it a good home, and maybe a respray and reupholster – they’re on to a winner!

You can check out the full listing here!

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