Mention Nissan Skyline to most fans and they would immediately think of the legendary Godzilla R32, the Gran Turismo-defining R34, or even the classy Hakosuka GT-R. However, there are a few underappreciated generations of the Skyline such as the R30 generation.
This generation is known by many hardcore Nissan fans as the ‘New-Man’ Skyline which is named after Hollywood actor and avid car enthusiast, Paul Newman who became a spokesperson for the R30 Skyline in advertisements. The most well-known variant is the RS-X Turbo (DR30) which itself has a fitting nickname – Tekkamen or Iron Mask.
As James May once put it, this image fizzes
The RS-X Turbo was the most powerful variant of the R30 Skyline and was famous for its iconic black and red Tomica livery in the Japan Super Silhouette Racing Series. Though this 1984 example isn’t in the iconic colour combination, it is still rad and mostly stock.
Privately imported from Japan and registered in Brisbane, Australia in January 2022, this seemingly clean DR30 has done 87,693 km from new and there is barely any rust or damage on the body. Even better, the badges remain intact along with the cool ‘4-valve DOHC RS Turbo Intercooler’ side decals.
As stated on the tin doors, the Skyline RS-X Turbo is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-litre FJ20 DOHC inline-four that makes 202 PS and 245 Nm. This is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission that drives the rear wheels. No 4WD system like the R32-34 Skyline GT-Rs here.
Fitting the cool eighties modern classic look are 15-inch Watanabe alloy wheels in satin black which are wrapped with Sailun Atrezzo R01 Sport semi-slicks.
If you think that’s cool, stepping inside this DR30 feels like you’ve travelled back in time when MTV was only playing music videos and everyone tried to look rich with their brick-sized handphones. The analogue dials with their cool vector graphic backgrounds and the switches to control the cassette stereo hark back to a period of city pop and neon dreams.
Plush-sounding air-adjustable seats
Note the toggle to switch the adjustable dampers
Not a tape deck but an air purifier
Not a sound system but an air purifier as well
Besides being the most powerful variant of the R30 Skyline, the RS-X Turbo is also state-of-the-art for its time. Among the factory-fitted features include an air-adjustable driver’s seat, headlamp washers, cruise control, electrically adjustable dampers and a pair of air purifiers mounted on the roof and the rear parcel.
There appears to be an air vent at the corner
Why didn’t anyone else thought of putting an extra door handle for the rear passengers?
Speaking of the rear, the DR30 has a few tricks up its sleeve to ensure rear passengers aren’t left out. These include rear air vents and an extra door pull handle on the front passenger side which Doug DeMuro would glee in excitement if he ever found one.
In spite of the stock eighties condition, there have been a few modifications added to this white DR30 aside from the Sailun rubbers. The listing on Collecting Cars says that it features an upgraded Blitz coilover suspension, a stainless-steel rear exhaust muffler, and a CD player mounted in the glove box.
If you wanted to get your hands on this DR30, well, unfortunately, someone has already bought it. The winning bid? AUD 60,500 (~RM 179k) which is almost the same price as a brand-new Down Under. Despite the seemingly high price, we think this classic Nissan has a lot more cool factor than a modern BMW coupe.
At this price, the only DR30 we can afford for now is a toy Tomica. Dreams have to start somewhere though, right?
Keyword: This R30 Nissan Skyline sold for as much as a 2 Series in Australian auction but is way cooler!