Nissan Club de Costa Rica Performance y Estilo

In 1957, the first Skyline was introduced by the manufacturer Prince. Prince went on to make a second generation and start on a third but before finishing the third generation, the company was purchased by Nissan Motor Company. Much like how Nissan bought Datsun (Datson at the time) decades before. The Nissan badged Skyline was first released in 1968 with the G15 SOHC 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. Now under the Nissan name, the Skyline would soon become an icon for Nissan’s racing heritage. In 1970 a GT-X version was released powered by the L20 SOHC 2.0L 6-cylinder engine. Pushing the Skyline further. Nissan released another version with the S20 DOHC 2.0L 6-cylinder rated at 160hp. This version of the Skyline was the first to bare the GT-R emblem, the rest is history.

With a boxy looking shape the DPGC10 Skyline was nicknamed ‘Hakosuka’, Japanese for ‘Box Skyline’. This is the first GT-R and i is the car every old schooler, here and in Japan, wants. Paul Bischoff is no exception. But this is no ordinary Joe Blow who just wants a cool old Japanese car for JCCS. Paul’s relationship with the Skyline dates back before some of you were even born.
“I have wanted one of these cars since the first time i saw one, in Okinawa, in 1984 while stationed at Kadena AFB. While watcing the late night drifting there, I would see these Box Skylines and Kenmeris roll up and down the hill and everybody would cheer and point at them. The Skylines get so much respect in Japan. I just knew i had to have one.”

Since then Paul has owned all types of Nissans: a ‘71 4-door Skyline, a ‘73 ‘Kenmeri’ Skyline, a R32 Skyline, a Datsun 510, S13 and S14, not to mention various other makes. It wasn’t until 2006 that Paul got the chance to own a 2-door Hakosuka. It took him two years of negotiating with the previous owner, but he ended up getting it into his hands. It was far from what you see now though. Basically he purchased a shell, it had no motor, transmission, suspension and the front end and interior was incomplete

This is a GT-X and not a real GT-R. Most if not all the Hakosukas here are Gt-X models, which means they’re not GT-Rs also. A real GT-R typically goes for $50K while the other models go for half as much. Having the original S20 engine is the ideal setup, but the motor alone could cost more than it’s weight in gold. An S20 longblock alone can go for anywhere between $10,000 to $15,000. Not having a real GT-R meant that Paul was not compelled to find a S20 and it made his descision easier to go with an RB powerplant.

Engine R33 Skyline RB25 engine; GReddy timing belt, air separator tank and radiator cap; custom engine brackets using RB26DETT mounts; ported head; R32 GT-R valve springs; custom 7-quart aluminum oil pan; polished R32 GT-R RB26DETT individual throttle-bodies; modified and polished R33 GT-R RB25DE intake manifold; custom throttle linkage; modified fuel lines and AN fittings; SX fuel regulator; JDM stainless header; custom-built exhaust piping; Tanabe muffler; Optima battery; custom cross flow radiator; Samco radiator hoses; NISMO thermostat; MSD RPM Window Switch for cam control; Sapporo beer can overflow can; powdercoated valve cover, pulleys and velocity stacks; anodized cam gears; polished alternator and cam sensor

Drivetrain RB20DET 5-speed transmission; R200 LSD finned differential; custom driveshaft; 280SX axles; custom transmission mount

Engine Management Microtech LT-12S standalone ECU and dash display; custom-tucked harness