The Prince Skyline Sport: The first Japanese-Italian Automotive Collaboration
The Prince Skyline Sport stands as a pioneering symbol of international collaboration in the automotive world. Born out of a unique partnership between Prince Motor Company in Japan and the legendary Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, this luxury sports car blended Italian craftsmanship with Japanese engineering. Debuting at the 1960 Turin Motor Show, the Skyline Sport featured sleek lines, a distinctive front grille, and advanced engineering, including a 1.9-liter GB-4 engine capable of reaching 150 km/h. Though its steep price tag limited its domestic success, the Skyline Sport set a precedent for future cross-cultural automotive partnerships and remains an iconic piece of automotive history—showcasing the timeless appeal of Italian design and Japanese innovation.