The first-generation Silvia that brought retro-futurism to life
Mr. Koji Osaki has been driving Nissan’s first-generation Silvia, which was released 60 years ago in 1964, as his beloved car. What is amazing about this car and Mr. Osaki is that even though it is a valuable museum-grade car, he enjoys driving it by himself to old car events held all over Japan and participating in them just as much as he does with his current car.
Only 554 cars were produced
The first Nissan CSP311 “Silvia,” named after the beautiful goddess “Silvia” in Greek mythology, was unveiled at the 1964 Tokyo Motor Show and launched in April 1965, the following year. The creation of the Western-style coupe design, known as the flowing and graceful crisp-cut, was excellent, and the body was seamless for this era. The only boundaries are the door, trunk, and hood openings; the rest of the body is composed only of crisp surfaces.
Mr. Koji Osaki’s first-generation Silvia is a famous vehicle at old car events. This is primarily because this car is rare. The first-generation Silvia was only produced for three years, from March 1965 to June 1968. Mr. Osaki drives such a car and participates in old car events on his own, which makes us feel that he is truly a person with a strong love for old cars.
The first year of registration of Mr. Osaki’s car was 1966, and the body color is champagne gold, close to the olive color that was the theme color at the time, and he keeps it in stock condition.
The body, including basic components, is in stock condition, and the chassis is based on a P310 Datsun “Fairlady 1600,” with the rear overhangs trimmed and an X-shaped member ladder frame with double-wishbone front suspension and leaf rigid rear suspension. are set.
As for the engine, the 1964 Tokyo Motor Show model was equipped with a 1.5L straight-4 G-type engine, but the released model was equipped with an R-type 1.6L straight-4 OHV engine based on the G-type, which was evolved by enlarging the bore and short-stroking it. This engine was the most outstanding power unit at the time, producing 90ps in the SU twin-carb version, and in addition to the first generation Silvia, the same engine was installed in the Fairlady 1600 and 410 “Bluebird SSS” models.
Japan’s first specialty car
The styling of the first-generation Silvia was unparalleled, and the same could be said for the interior. The interior is coordinated with a contrasting combination of genuine leather interior and chrome plating, and the dashboard is beautifully designed to create a high-quality atmosphere.
Mr. Osaki’s car, which he uses for both daily driving and road trips, is equipped with additional comfort features such as a passenger seat cooler and a navigation monitor. Other than that, the car is a stock keeper, with aluminum parts on the center console and door side panels, and gauges with chrome rings, all of which are prone to corrosion, in good condition.
This first-generation Silvia car was one of Japan’s first models that could be called a specialty car that combined sportiness and luxury. Whether such a term existed at the time is unclear, but there is no doubt that it was a car developed to meet the new challenge of providing such value. </p
The new and outstanding design, with a form that is beautiful from all angles, could be used as a modern car. If the recently rumored revival of the Silvia is to be realized again, it would be in the modern style to adopt a car design that follows the design of the original Silvia, which achieved a retro-futuristic look.
