It’s been some time since we had the possibility to peek inside Nissan’s iconic Heritage Assortment, so, in honour of Japan Month 2025, let’s take pleasure in a few of the automaker’s best achievements.
Regardless of its present monetary woes, Nissan holds one of the vital celebrated automotive histories in Japan. Together with that wealthy legacy comes a treasure trove of iconic automobiles, every taking part in a job in shaping Nissan’s storied previous.
Thankfully for me and a small group of 30 others, we have been granted an unique, hour-long window to freely roam the Zama Heritage Automotive Storage. This was one other expertise organised by Iso-san from Nissan’s Prototype division. I’ve beforehand mentioned Iso-san’s ardour for preserving Nissan fans engaged, most lately by way of his work on the Underground Tokyo meet, the place he orchestrated a uncommon public look of the Pennzoil R34 GT-R JGTC automotive alongside the IDx Idea.
On the entrance to the gathering, we have been greeted by Shirasaka-san’s R33 GT-R LM Version and Meme-san’s two R35 GT-R Nismos. The road automotive contact was a pleasant assembly of the producer and aftermarket worlds, one thing you hardly ever see in Japan.
Earlier than being set free within the assortment, we have been handled to a quick historical past of each Nissan and Nismo, delivered by 4 of the corporate’s key personalities: Shinyogi-san, Kakimoto-san, Aiba-san, and Kiga-san.
Then, the gates to automotive heaven have been opened. The primary look on the assortment is nothing in need of overwhelming – it’s a sea of Nissan historical past, from iconic race automobiles to uncommon manufacturing fashions that most individuals don’t even know exist.
It might be not possible to cowl each automotive right here, and whereas every of those automobiles deserves a submit of its personal, we’ll depart a few of the pleasure in your personal go to. See how to try this right here.
The primary half of the gathering is dedicated to manufacturing automobiles. These are displayed chronologically, beginning with the primary open-wheel Phaetons and Roadsters, and stretching by way of to the early 2000s heroes.
One among my first stops was at a pair of Fairlady Z fashions: the 1969 S30 Z432 in its signature orange, paired with a 1970 S30 Z-L.
Straight throughout from the Z automobiles was a powerful lineup of early Skylines, from the 1971 C10 base by way of to the ultra-desirable KPGC10 GT-R.
It was throughout the Nineteen Seventies that Nissan really started to take off, and that enthusiasm is mirrored within the sheer variety of automobiles from this period on show.
The gathering additionally included GT-R variants, plus Cedrics, Cherrys, Glorias, Sunnys – virtually every part you’d count on. There was even a 1972 Fairlday 240Z-G Kanagawa police patrol automotive that had a staggering 370,940km on the clock.
However there was one part that caught my eye, drawing me in for a better look – Nissan’s beloved Silvia fashions.
S-chassis automobiles are those I tie into Nissan’s historical past so strongly. Launched throughout Japan’s financial growth, the Silvia rapidly cemented its place as one of many biggest sports activities automobiles of all time.
Tucked behind the Silvias, I discovered the 1987 MID4 II Idea – Nissan’s four-wheel-drive, mid-engine marvel designed for the Tokyo Motor Present. This automotive debuted Nissan’s HICAS steering system, which might go on to be featured within the manufacturing R32 Skyline GT-R.
And, after all, RB-powered Skylines have been properly represented. The R32 was showcased in three variants: the GT-R, GTS-T, and Autech.
The R33 and R34 Skyline fashions adopted swimsuit, with examples from the GTS-4 four-door to the R34 GT-R M-spec Nür.
Transferring alongside, I got here throughout the final word sizzling hatch pairing – the twin-charged March Tremendous Turbo, and Pulsar GTi-R.
What really makes this assortment particular isn’t simply the manufacturing fashions; it’s Nissan’s motorsports pedigree. Stashed in simply this one nook of the corridor are race automobiles that signify a long time of Nissan’s competitors legacy.
Reasonably than dive into each single mannequin (or danger turning this text right into a small novel), let’s skim by way of a few of the racing machines Nissan deems amongst its most important.
From Le Mans to JGTC to Group A, Nissan has left its mark on virtually each main racing sequence.
Whether or not it’s full-blown GT1 race automobiles or TS Race Sunnys, this assortment holds the tangible historical past of Nissan’s racing ambitions.
However don’t miss the R35 GT-R Check Automotive and the Usain Bolt Particular tucked away within the nook.
Nissan’s racing success wasn’t confined to the tarmac, both. The automaker has additionally made waves in rallying.
This March and Z combo was a favorite. The Z was used as Omori Manufacturing facility’s official check automotive, and the March a Nismo rental automotive for the March Little Dynamite Cup Race.
The Tremendous Silhouette automobiles constructed for the 1979-83 Group 5 races have been arduous to overlook and gorgeous in particular person. These iconic, boxy machines impressed what we now know as Kaido Racers.
After all, no Nissan assortment can be full with out the Pennzoil GT-Rs, and the R33 and R34 variations have been each on show.
Trendy race automobiles are additionally well-represented within the assortment, with a lineup of R90, R91, R92, and R390 fashions that ooze Nineties racing perfection. Amongst them was one of many two road-going homologation-built R390s.
Then there was the uncommon R33 GT-R 400R, a automotive that Iso-san graciously allowed us to examine up shut.
With simply 44 items constructed, this automotive is as uncommon as it’s spectacular, that includes the 400hp RB-X GT2 engine.
The Nissan Heritage Assortment stands as one of the vital exceptional shows of automotive manufacturing historical past open to the general public wherever on the earth. An hour of unsupervised entry was a dream come true, made attainable solely by the passionate efforts of fans like Iso-san, who as Nissan as soon as mentioned, maintain the dream alive.
Alec Pender
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