In the ’80s, Japanese youth admired the “Three Pulsar Brothers”
The “Three Pulsar Brothers” are probably what you recall when you hear the name “Nissan’s Three Brothers”. The three brothers are the Pulsar, Langley, and Libertabila, a Nissan trio that many young people admired in the 1980s.
The eldest, the Pulsar
The eldest son of technology Nissan created, the Pulsar, was a small passenger car that was sold for more than 40 years, from 1978 to 2019. Its history began with the first generation N10 (1978-1982), followed by the second generation N12 (1982-1986), third generation N13 (1986-1990), fourth generation N14 (1990-1995), fifth generation N15 (1995-2000) and sixth generation N16 (2000-2006). Succeeded, once extinct, to the revived 7th generation B17 sedan (2012-2018)/C12 hatchback (2013-2019) and the 8th generation C13 (2014-2018).
The Pulsar initially started as a four-door sedan, but was later offered in a variety of body types, including hatchbacks, coupes, and light vans. It was developed as a compact car with a consistent Euro taste, to be launched not only in Japan but also in the European market.
Second son Langley
The second son ‘Langley’ was also commonly known as the ‘Skyline’s Mini’. The catchphrase for the first generation N10 model (1980-1982) was ‘Langley with love’. Based on the first generation (N10) of the elder brother Pulsar, it appeared with a different design around the front and tail. The engines were transversely mounted, with an A14 OHV 4-cylinder 1.4 L (80 hp) and an A14E OHV 4-cylinder 1.4 L EGI (92 hp). The suspension is a four-wheel independent suspension, F: strut coil, R: trailing arm coil.
Next, the catchphrase for the second generation N12 model (1982-1986) was “Paul and Paula’s New Langley”, a tribute to “Ken and Mary’s Skyline”. Like its predecessor, it featured some design changes from the second-generation Pulsar (N12), and its third son, the Libertabila, joined its siblings. The engines installed were an E15S carburetor four-cylinder 1.5 L (85 hp) and an E15E four-cylinder 1.5 L EGI (95 hp). The following third generation N13 (1986-1990) was available in 4-door sedan and 3-door hatchback body types. The engine choices were CA16DE 1.6L straight-4, E15E to GA15E 1.5L straight-4, E15S to GA15S 1.5L straight-4 and CD17 diesel 1.7L straight-4.
Third son Liberta Villa
And the third son, the Liberta Villa, was an advanced model, new in 1982. Sharing major components with its older brother, the Pulsar & Langley, the three siblings were now three cars in one. The result was conceived as outwardly different cars at a time when Nissan sales lines were becoming increasingly complex. The Liberta Villa was handled in the same sales network as the Bluebird and each part was finished with the impression of a little brother to the Bluebird.
The later Liberta Villa was a four-door, five-seat sedan, using a chassis with a 2415 mm wheelbase shared with the Pulsar and Langley. Suspension is F: MacPherson struts/coil springs, R: trailing arms/coil springs, and it also shares the transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive. The engine is a liquid-cooled straight-4 OHC with a displacement of 1487 cc only. Two versions were available: an 85 hp carburetor version with tuning, and a 95 hp version with electronically controlled fuel injection. Transmissions were two four-speed five-speed manual types and one three-speed automatic, all with floor shift. Sales exceeded Nissan’s expectations, and the car was loved by many users for its high performance, high quality, and value for money.
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The three Pulsar brothers were the symbolic cars of their time, and they have left a lasting impression as an interesting part of Nissan’s history. Those who fondly remember those days of their youth will find it interesting to search for the three Pulsar brothers in the used car market.
translated by DeepL