Nissan · Skyline

Nissan Skyline 7th generation (R31)

Years: 1985–1990
Chassis: R31
Drivetrain: FR

Image: TuRbO_J from Adelaide, Australia / CC BY 2.0

Story

Known by the nickname "Seventh" used in its advertising. The six-cylinder DOHC engine, which had disappeared, returned, and it carried the world's first "HICAS" suspension.

Stories

Hospitalized late in development

As development of the seventh generation entered its final stage, Sakurai suddenly fell ill and was hospitalized, and hurriedly handed over the role of development lead to Naganori Ito, his colleague since the Prince days and his foremost disciple. After leaving hospital he did not return as development lead of the Skyline, and instead worked on planning and developing Pike cars as general manager of Nissan's newly created Vehicle Design Department.

Shinichiro Sakurai

Chassis

Front

Strut

Rear

Semi-trailing arm

Rigid axle

Production plants

Murayama Plant
Musashimurayama, Tokyo

US import eligibility

Earliest cars: Eligible since August 201025 years after sales began in August 1985
Last cars: Eligible since 201525 years after sales ended in 1990 (month not recorded)

Eligibility depends on each car's month of manufacture on its build plate, not on the sale dates shown here (NHTSA).

Japanese cars by US import year →

Engineers

Shinichiro Sakuraiuntil 1984

Hometown: Kanagawa Prefecture

Head of development (chief engineer) of the Skyline. He led its development without a break from partway through the second generation until near the end of the seventh generation's development, and was called "Mr. Skyline".

Naganori Itofrom 1984

Hometown: Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture

Chief engineer of the eighth-generation Skyline (R32). Shinichiro Sakurai's foremost disciple, he took over as chief engineer near the end of the seventh generation's development, and then led the eighth generation from the early stages of its development.