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News16 December 2021 by Andreas 634 Viewed

Italdesign is ready to deliver its first Nissan GT-R 50 production cars

  • Entirely developed and assembled in Moncalieri (Italy), they celebrate both Italdesign and GT-R’s 50th anniversaries

  • Every car is a one-of-a-kind: clients had the chance to fully customize their own cars with unique liveries and body colors

The Nissan GT-R 50 by Italdesign are about to leave Italdesign plant in Italy to reach their respective owners worldwide.

Collaboration with Nissan started back in 2018 to celebrate both Italdesign’s and GT-R’s 50 year-anniversaries.

These first cars, out of a limited production of 50 units, were assembled by hand by Italdesign professionals in Turin, Italy, and are tailor-made as clients chose to customize them with special liveries and colors.

One of these units is inspired by the famous 1972 GT-R showcar; the Italdesign team worked hard to design dedicated livery and a colour to homage it, producing the Verde Kenmeri tint for this only car.

Two owners drew inspiration from the concept car introduced as a world premiere during the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Despite each car features specially made graphics, they all feature the Liquid Kinetic Gray/Energic Sigma Gold colours combination. The last two body tints are inspired by Italdesign’s experience and by one of the greatest Renaissance artist: the renowned Argento Italdesign and the Nero Caravaggio.

“The delivery of the GT-R50 by Italdesign witnesses the quality of the work our company makes available to the main OEMs as Nissan is – stated Giorgio Gamberini, Head of Business Development at Italdesign – “With over 50 years of experience, not only in style but mainly in engineering and prototype production, Italdesign is the right partner for the building of ultra-limited series projects for the traditional OEMs and new comers”.

“We’re extremely proud and satisfied to deliver these amazing cars, it’s the perfect symbol to a new start after what we’ve been through during the last two years” – Antonio Casu, CEO of Italdesign, stated. “Despite the pandemic situation here in Italdesign we never stopped working hard. The collaboration with Nissan has been truly positive and I’m sure the clients will love their Nissan GT-R by Italdesign. This is a huge achievement and I really want to share it with everyone involved in this project. We keep working to assemble and deliver the rest of the production within the next months”.

Pure performance plus

To achieve the high performance, reliability and emission standards required of the Nissan GT-R50, NISMO carried out development with Nissan Technical Center (NTC). Utilizing know-how from the race specification VR38 engine installed in the FIA GT3 specification NISSAN GT-R NISMO GT3 and other race engine development know-how, approximately 12% of the engine’s parts were newly developed, including the turbocharger, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, fuel injectors, camshafts, and catalyzer. Furthermore, fully utilizing NISMO’s many years of experience developing performance parts for road cars, a high strength material was employed for the transaxle and its surface treatment processing was modified to ensure sufficient strength to withstand torque of 780 Nm.

The durability and reliability of the engine and transaxle was confirmed by performing benchtop simulation durability (acceleration durability) testing that reproduced on a 4-wheel chassis dynamometer the mode cycle of the time recorded by the Nissan GT-R NISMO at Nurburgring (Germany) in 2013, 7 minutes 8 seconds 679, which was the fastest time for a mass-produced car at the time. By utilizing race and road car development technologies unique to NISMO, which is behind Nissan’s motorsports activities, we have achieved both a high output of 720 PS and compliance with the strict “Euro 6” emission regulations in Europe. In in-house testing, the NISMO-developed 720 PS powertrain achieved a reduction of 0.8 seconds (7%) for acceleration from 0 to 200 km/h compared to the current GT-R NISMO.

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

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Prince Skyline Sport Allemano

The end of World War II left Japan in a difficult position, having to transition its industries from military production to civilian use. This challenge was particularly tough since Japan, like Germany and Italy, was a defeated nation. However, Japan’s ability to adapt would set the stage for one of the most exciting collaborations in automotive history.

Among the companies responsible for this transformation were Tachikawa and Nakajima, two of Japan’s leading aviation companies. Tasked with shifting to civilian production, Tachikawa (later known as Tokyo Electric Cars) began building electric cars in 1947. Their first model, the Tama, was followed by a slightly larger Junior, and eventually, the Senior.

In the early 1950s, Japan’s evolving automotive landscape saw a shift from electric-powered cars to gasoline engines. By the end of 1951, the Tama Senior was fitted with a 1.5-liter petrol engine, a shift that led to the creation of the Prince Sedan in 1952. This was the beginning of Prince Motor Company, which was named in honor of the official investiture of Crown Prince Akihito.

In 1954, Fuji Precision Machinery (formerly Nakajima) acquired Prince Motor Company and embarked on producing automobiles under the Prince brand. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Japan’s automotive history.

The Birth of the Skyline and the Search for European Inspiration

By the late 1950s, Prince Motor Company had gained recognition in Japan for its innovative vehicles, such as the Prince Sedan and the Skyline (introduced in 1957). However, the company sought to take their vehicles to a new level—focusing on luxury, performance, and innovation. To do so, they looked westward, to Europe, for inspiration.

Europe was home to some of the most prestigious automotive brands, and Fuji Precision Machinery executives wanted a vehicle that could rival the best of Europe. This aspiration led them to Italy, where they arranged a pivotal meeting at the Salone dell’Automobile (Turin Motor Show) with Carrozzeria Allemano, a respected coachbuilder with ties to Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti.

The collaboration between Japan and Italy led to the creation of the Prince Skyline Sport, a car that would redefine the trajectory of Japan’s automotive design. This groundbreaking partnership merged Japanese engineering with Italian artistry, setting a new standard for style and innovation. The success of this collaboration inspired other Japanese manufacturers to partner with Italy’s legendary design houses, creating some of the most iconic vehicles of the 1960s.

Mazda, for example, worked with Bertone, enlisting the renowned Giorgetto Giugiaro to design the Familia, a compact car that skillfully blended European elegance with Japanese practicality. In 1963, Daihatsu teamed up with Vignale to produce the Compagno, along with its sporty variants: the Sport Spider and Coupé; which reflected a uniquely Italian flair. The following year, Pininfarina collaborated with Datsun to craft a sleek new look for the Bluebird, a move that helped the car gain global recognition. By 1965, Isuzu joined forces with Ghia to design the Bellett II, a concept car that showcased bold and forward-thinking design elements.

These partnerships went beyond aesthetics; they helped establish a global identity for Japanese automakers. By working with Italy’s most respected design houses, Japanese manufacturers gained fresh perspectives on styling while enhancing their reputation for innovation and quality. These collaborations not only transformed the appearance of Japanese cars but also elevated their appeal to international markets, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

A Handcrafted Masterpiece

Under the direction of Giovanni Michelotti, one of Italy’s most respected automotive designers, the Skyline Sport would be an example of high-end craftsmanship. Initially, the first series of prototypes were built by Carrozzeria Allemano, known for its hand-built bodies. Later, a second series of production would be completed by Carrozzeria Michelotti, adding the final touch to this luxury vehicle.

The Skyline Sport was designed as a two-door coupe with sleek, flowing lines and a sporty yet elegant appearance. Michelotti’s design incorporated canted headlights, angled downward at the inside corners—a feature seen in other high-end vehicles like the Lincoln Continental and Buick during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

At the heart of the Skyline Sport was a 1.9-liter GB-4 engine that generated 94 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 150 km/h. Despite weighing in at 1,350 kg, the car’s handling was remarkably smooth, thanks to a double-wishbone front suspension and a De Dion rear axle, technologies that were innovative for its time.

The Prince Skyline Sport: A Bold Statement

The Skyline Sport debuted at the 1960 Turin Motor Show, where it garnered international attention for its bold design and luxury features. Available in both a coupe and a convertible version, it was a striking example of Italian design combined with Japanese engineering. Its clean lines, striking front grille, and eye-catching details made it a standout at the show.

But its beauty was more than skin deep. The Skyline Sport was a car that delivered in terms of both aesthetics and performance. With its meticulously crafted body, luxurious interior, and advanced suspension, the car offered an exceptional driving experience that rivaled the finest European vehicles of the era.

The Prince Skyline Sport made its official appearance in Japan at the 1962 Tokyo Motor Show, where it was met with great enthusiasm due to its elegant lines and striking design. With its sleek coupe and convertible versions, the car showcased a perfect blend of Italian craftsmanship and Japanese engineering, captivating the crowd with its sophisticated aesthetic. However, the Skyline Sport came with a hefty price tag of 1.85 million yen, more than twice the cost of a standard sedan. This steep price limited its appeal in Japan’s domestic market, making it a rare and exclusive collector’s item. Despite its high price, the car gained significant exposure through its prominent feature in Toho films, strategically marketed to heighten its status as a luxury icon.

A Historic Collaboration and Legacy

The Prince Skyline Sport is historically significant as the first collaboration between an Italian designer and a Japanese automaker, setting a precedent for future cross-cultural partnerships in the automotive world. It was a testament to the universal appeal of Italian design and the skill of Michelotti and Carrozzeria Allemano. The Skyline Sport bridged cultural and geographical boundaries, bringing together the best of both worlds to create a truly exceptional car.

Though the Skyline Sport never achieved high sales numbers, with only 60 to 200 units produced, its impact on the automotive industry cannot be overstated. It paved the way for later models like the Skyline GT-R and helped establish the Prince Laurel, another model that would become iconic in Japan.

The Skyline Sport also marked the beginning of Prince Motor Company’s shift toward luxury vehicles. This emphasis on quality and refinement would continue after Nissan’s acquisition of Prince Motors in 1966, with the Skyline Sport serving as a precursor to future generations of luxury cars from Japan.

The Prince Skyline Sport was more than just a car—it was a statement of innovation, craftsmanship, and the power of international collaboration. The partnership between Giovanni Michelotti, Carrozzeria Allemano, and Prince Motor Company created a vehicle that showcased the best of both Italian design and Japanese engineering.

Though limited in production and availability, the Skyline Sport remains an important part of automotive history. It stands as a symbol of the potential for global partnerships to create groundbreaking designs, and its legacy continues to inspire the automotive world today.

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