The Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 '84 stands as a legendary race car representing both Japanese engineering prowess and the wild spirit of 1980s motorsport. Built for Japan's Group 5 racing category, which allowed radical modifications to production-based vehicles, the Skyline Super Silhouette became instantly recognizable for its exaggerated aerodynamic bodywork, wide stance, and bold livery. Officially competing under Nissan's works team, the car was piloted by the renowned Japanese driver Masahiro Hasemi, who etched his name in the annals of motorsport history with this memorable machine.
Underneath its aggressive exterior, the Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 was based on the DR30 generation Nissan Skyline, but little of the original road car remained. Powered by the LZ20B, a 2.1-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, the car was capable of producing more than 570 horsepower—a monstrous figure for the era. Weighing in at just around 1000 kilograms, the combination of light weight and prodigious turbocharged power made the Skyline lightning quick, earning it multiple wins and podiums in the Japanese Super Silhouette racing series.
The 1984 season was especially significant for the Skyline Super Silhouette, as it solidified Nissan's dominance in the Group 5 era. The car's performance on the racetrack not only showcased Nissan's technological expertise but also captured the imagination of racing fans, inspiring a new generation of Skyline enthusiasts and tuning culture in Japan and beyond. While the Group 5 era was eventually phased out, the Skyline Super Silhouette's radical design and race-bred achievements have left an indelible mark on motorsport history.
Today, the Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 '84 is celebrated as one of the most iconic Japanese race cars ever built. It has garnered renewed attention in modern times, thanks in part to its inclusion in motorsport video games such as Gran Turismo 7, where players can relive the heyday of 1980s Group 5 racing. As a symbol of Nissan's boldness and technical creativity, the Super Silhouette continues to inspire automobile enthusiasts and serves as a fitting tribute to the golden age of Japanese motorsport.
