Nissan Skyline Fifth generation
Nissan Skyline (Fifth generation) was built from 1977 to 1981, as a 4-door sedan; 2-door coupé; 5-door station wagon/light van. Powertrain: Gasoline: 1595 cc L16T/S I4; 1770 cc L18E/T I4; 1770 cc Z18E/S I4; 1952 cc Z20E I4; 1998 cc L20E I6; 1998 cc L20ET turbo I6; 2393 cc L24/E…. Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive. Size: 4,315 x 1,625 mm (L x W). Weight: 1050 - 1160 kg (4-cylinder); 1175 - 1265 kg (6-cylinder).
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: Tennen-Gas, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.
Overview
The succeeding C210 series of August 1977 continued to split the Skyline range into basic four-cylinder and six-cylinder models, the latter with a longer wheelbase and front end. This line continued through August 1981. A rare variant would be the wagon version, which had a unique styling treatment behind the rear doors, of a much smaller window than usual between the C and D pillars. The Skyline received an internal and external facelift in late 1978, which led to a change of the model code from 210 to 211. This was also when the Skyline first appeared in several European export markets, such as Germany.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
Against the other van / MPV models in this database (19 with this body type). Computed from the dimensions in the specifications, so it changes as the database grows.
- 470 mm below the median of 4,785 mm, and shorter than 100% of the 13 other van / MPV models in this database.
- 75 mm below the median of 1,700 mm, and narrower than 100% of the 16 other van / MPV models in this database.
- 175 mm below the median of 2,690 mm, and shorter than 100% of the 17 other van / MPV models in this database.
Who it suits
- Families, groups and shuttle work: the people-carrier body is built around seating and access.
- Drivers buying for enjoyment rather than space: coupes and roadsters trade rear space for style and handling.
- Executive and chauffeur use: the saloon body prioritises rear-seat comfort and a quiet cabin.
Check before you buy
- Check the emissions equipment (particulate filter, NOx treatment) and the destination country's emissions rules; some markets restrict used diesels.
- Ask for service records: turbocharged engines are sensitive to oil changes and cool-down habits.
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the Skyline
- First generation; Prince Skyline · 1957 - 1963; 33,759 units sold
- Second generation; Prince Skyline · 1963 - 1968; 114,238 units sold
- Third generation · 1968 - 1972; 310,447 units sold
- Fourth generation · 1972 - 1977; 670,562 units sold
- Sixth generation · 1981-1985; 1982-1987 (South Africa); 406,432 units sold
- Seventh generation · 1985 - 1989 (Japan); 1986-1990 (Australia); 309,716 units sold
- Eighth generation · 1989 - 1993 (standard); 1989 - 1994 (GT-R)
- Ninth generation · 1993 - 1998 (1998 for GT-R); 217,133 units sold
- Tenth generation · 1998 - 2002 (up to 2002 for the GT-R and up to 2005 for the NISMO Z-Tune); 64,623 units sold
- Eleventh generation · 2001- 2006 (sedan); 2003 - 2007 (coupe)
- Twelfth generation · 2006-2014 (sedan); 2007-2016 (coupè); 2009-2016 (crossover)
- Thirteenth generation · 2014 - 2022 (hybrid); 2014 - present (gasoline)
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Can I import a Nissan Skyline (Fifth generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Nissan Skyline (Fifth generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Nissan Skyline (Fifth generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: Gasoline: 1595 cc L16T/S I4; 1770 cc L18E/T I4; 1770 cc Z18E/S I4; 1952 cc Z20E I4; 1998 cc L20E I6; 1998 cc L20ET turbo I6; 2393 cc L24/E I6; Diesel: 1952 cc LD20 I4; 2792 cc LD28 I6.
How big is the Nissan Skyline (Fifth generation)?
4,315 mm long and 1,625 mm wide, on a 2,515 mm wheelbase (4-door sedan; 2-door coupé; 5-door station wagon/light van). For container loading, use the container packer.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
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