INFO GUIDE: 1988 Nissan Skyline R31 Silhouette GTS1 (SVD)

This guide has been written for the Nissan Skyline Silhouette GTS Sedan, produced in limited numbers by Nissan Australia’s "Special Vehicles Division" (SVD) in 1988. Although officially known as the Silhouette "GTS", enthusiasts and the media have attributed the "GTS1" name to this vehicle to distinguish it from the updated SVD GTS released in 1989. For clarity, we have therefore referred to the car throughout this guide as the GTS1. Built in very low numbers, these Skylines have a strong following and are recognised as a unique piece of Nissan Australia’s history. Classic Register is also currently drafting a SVD GTS2 information guide, and hosts a number of GTS1 vehicles on the Register - please feel free to upload your car's details so we can document as many of these rare skylines as possible.

The SVD GTS1 has a number of unique features when compared to its standard counterparts, and was built to provide an exclusive and high performance option for Skyline customers during the period when the R31 GTS-R skyline was competing in the Australian Touring Car Championship. The idea of a higher performance Australian built skyline was initially teased to the public as a concept car (known as the Super Silhouette Turbo) at the 1987 Sydney International Motor Show.¹ This concept car sported a very similar appearance to the final GTS1 design. An intercooled turbo version developed by SVD went on to be used as a pace car in several high profile Australian motorsport events including the 1988 Australian Grand Prix.² After production of the GTS1 commenced, six were purchased by the Tasmanian police for traffic and pursuit work, an order that would be repeated for the GTS2 in 1990.³

On release, the GTS1 cost $33,950 (AUD)⁴ (+/- $50 depending on the source) placing the Skyline approximately $10,000 above other non-turbo 6-cylinder competitors such as the EA Falcon S and VN Commodore S.

Production numbers:

200 units were produced by SVD, each individually numbered with a plaque on the dash, and unique vehicle identification plate. The GTS1 started out as a Silhouette model Skyline, and was built with certain accessories stripped or altered before being sent to the SVD factory for modification.⁵ 

Period of manufacture:

The GTS1 was built between June 1988 and December 1988.⁶