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Photo of a Nissan Silvia

Nissan Silvia

Rear-drive runs in the family: the S15 spec-R paired 247 hp with a close-ratio 6-speed.123

Researched November 2, 2026 from 34 sources

Also called

  • zenkiEnthusiasts' name for the S14 before its facelift; the word means 'before'.2
  • koukiEnthusiasts' name for the facelifted S14; the word means 'after'.2
  • SileightyA 180SX fitted with an S13 Silvia nose, replacing its pop-up headlights.2
  • OneviaA Silvia coupe fitted with the 180SX's pop-up-headlight nose, reversing the Sileighty swap.2

At a glance

0150300
89–247 hpPower
0510
6.8–7 s0–60 mph
0125250
165–235 km/hTop speed
0150300
132–275 N·mTorque
07501,500
980–1,330 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.134131415

Engine
1.6–2.4 L, naturally aspirated or turbo; U.S. S12 also had a 3.0 L V612
Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive1
Gearbox
4–6-speed manuals and 3–4-speed automatics, varying by generation112
Built at
Japan: Nissan Shatai, Hiratsuka (CSP311), Kanda (S110/S12); Zama Plant (S10)1
Units built
CSP311: 554; S10/S11: over 145,000; NISMO 270R: 30110

The story

The Silvia began as a semi-handbuilt coupe on Fairlady 1600 SP311 underpinnings. By the S13, the aim was affordable front-engine, rear-drive fun; export versions carried 200SX and 240SX badges.124

1964: CSP311 takes the Tokyo stage19641965: 2 CSP311s join Tokyo highway patrol19651975: S10's rotary plan gives way to the L1819751979: S110 adds a big-tailgate hatchback19791983: S12 gets pop-ups and 2 body styles19831988: S13 wins Japan's Good Design Award19881994: 30 NISMO 270Rs mark 10 years19941999: S15 spec-R: 247 hp and 6 speeds19992002: S15 closes the Silvia chapter2002 Datsun Fairlady 1600 (SP311): 1965–1970SP311Nissan Silvia (CSP311): 1965–1968Nissan Silvia (S10/S11): 1975–1979Nissan Silvia (S110): 1979–1983S110Nissan Silvia (S12): 1983–1988S12Nissan Silvia (S13): 1988–1993S13Nissan Silvia (S14): 1993–2000S14Nissan Silvia (S15): 1999–2002S15 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones12467811121418
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1965–1970Datsun Fairlady 1600 (SP311)
1965–1968Nissan Silvia (CSP311)
1975–1979Nissan Silvia (S10/S11)
1979–1983Nissan Silvia (S110)
1983–1988Nissan Silvia (S12)
1988–1993Nissan Silvia (S13)
1993–2000Nissan Silvia (S14)
1999–2002Nissan Silvia (S15)
1964CSP311 takes the Tokyo stage
19652 CSP311s join Tokyo highway patrol
1975S10's rotary plan gives way to the L18
1979S110 adds a big-tailgate hatchback
1983S12 gets pop-ups and 2 body styles
1988S13 wins Japan's Good Design Award
199430 NISMO 270Rs mark 10 years
1999S15 spec-R: 247 hp and 6 speeds
2002S15 closes the Silvia chapter
  1. 1964

    CSP311 takes the Tokyo stage

    Shown as Datsun Coupe 1500, the first Silvia placed a coupe body on Fairlady 1600 SP311 underpinnings.4

  2. 1965

    2 CSP311s join Tokyo highway patrol

    December brought 2 patrol cars with standard engines. Semi-handmade bodywork would limit total CSP311 production to about 550.14

  3. 1975

    S10's rotary plan gives way to the L18

    The New Silvia wore spaceship-like bodywork; the oil crisis killed its planned rotary. A 1.8 L L18 and U.S. Datsun 200SX badge followed.5

  4. 1979

    S110 adds a big-tailgate hatchback

    The hardtop arrived in March, the 3-door hatchback in August. Later, the RS shared its FJ20E twin-cam engine with the Skyline RS.6

  5. 1983

    S12 gets pop-ups and 2 body styles

    Launched August 23, the S12 offered coupe and hatchback bodies; its RS-X switched from FJ20 turbo power to the CA18DET in February 1986.7

  6. 1988

    S13 wins Japan's Good Design Award

    Koichiro Kawamura asked for a car the designers wanted to drive. The S13 echoed the CSP311's silhouette; K's had multi-link rear suspension and optional HICAS-II.89

  7. 1994

    30 NISMO 270Rs mark 10 years

    For its anniversary S14, NISMO targeted 266 hp; the 30-car, black-only run cost 4.5 million yen apiece.10

  8. 1999

    S15 spec-R: 247 hp and 6 speeds

    The turbo SR20DET gained a close-ratio manual; manual models with 16-inch tires offered a helical limited-slip differential.23

  9. 2002

    S15 closes the Silvia chapter

    Silvia production ended in 2002, closing the S15's 1999–2002 run.211

Every generation

  • Datsun Fairlady 1600
    SP3111965–1970
  • Nissan Silvia
    CSP3111965–1968
  • Nissan Silvia
    S10/S111975–1979
  • Nissan Silvia
    S1101979–1983
  • Nissan Silvia
    S121983–1988
  • Nissan Silvia
    S131988–1993
  • Nissan Silvia
    S141993–2000
  • Nissan Silvia
    S151999–2002

Power over the years

From 89 hp to 247 hp in 33 years.

0100200300 19651970197519801985199019952000 hp 1966 · 89 hp · CSP3111975 · 104 hp · S10 L181981 · 100 hp · North American 200SX Z201982 · 133 hp · S110 Turbo ZSE-X1983 · 237 hp · 240RS road homologation1986 · 143 hp · S12 RS-X CA18DET1988 · 173 hp · S13 K's CA18DET1991 · 202 hp · S13 K's SR20DET1993 · 217 hp · S14 SR20DET (Japan)1995 · 197 hp · UK S14 200SX1999 · 247 hp · S15 spec-R SR20DET (6MT)2001 · 163 hp · S15 Varietta SR20DE 247 hp S15 spec-R SR20DET (6MT) 89 hp CSP311
12345678141516
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
196689CSP311
1975104S10 L18
1981100North American 200SX Z20
1982133S110 Turbo ZSE-X
1983237240RS road homologation
1986143S12 RS-X CA18DET
1988173S13 K's CA18DET
1991202S13 K's SR20DET
1993217S14 SR20DET (Japan)
1995197UK S14 200SX
1999247S15 spec-R SR20DET (6MT)
2001163S15 Varietta SR20DE

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    S13 J’s / Q’s

    1988–1993

  • Standard

    S14 J’s / Q’s / K’s

    1993–1998

  • S15 Spec-S

    Standard

    S15 Spec-S

    1999–2002

  • Performance

    S110 Turbo ZSE-X

    1982

    133 hp
  • S110 RS

    Performance

    S110 RS

    1981–1983

  • Performance

    S12 RS-X

    1983–1988

  • S13 K’s (SR20DET)

    Performance

    S13 K’s (SR20DET)

    1991–1993

    202 hp

  • Performance

    S15 Spec-R (6-speed manual)

    1999–2002

    247 hp
  • S15 Varietta

    Special

    S15 Varietta

    163 hp
  • S13 Autech convertible

    Special

    S13 Autech convertible

How to spot one

Look for

  • S110: 4 square headlights on the hardtop; hatchbacks have a large, Z-car-like rear hatch.6
  • S12: pop-up headlights and a wedge profile, with either a notchback coupe or a large rear hatch.7
  • S13: slim fixed headlights joined by a clear panel in place of an open grille.29
  • S14: a wide, rounded coupe body; kouki cars add slim headlights and a more aggressive nose.2
  • S15: slim lights and an S hood badge; the rear spoiler's brake light is an inverted triangle.23

Year by year

  1. May 1981 (S110)

    New bumpers and a revised front end mark the midlife facelift.16

  2. 1987 model year (S12)

    Smooth bumpers, wider side moldings, a full-width slatted grille, shorter corner lights and a reverse-cowl hood bulge mark facelift cars.1

  3. 1992 (S13)

    Smaller SILVIA grille lettering, a rear spoiler modeled on an aircraft wing and new alloy wheels.9

  4. 1996 facelift (S14)

    Rounder zenki styling gave way to slimmer headlights, a sharper nose and tinted taillights on kouki cars.214

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Nissan Silvia
    Silvia
    Photo of a 180SX
    180SX

    180SX

    The 180SX is a hatchback with pop-up lamps; the Japanese S13 Silvia coupe has fixed lamps.2

  • Photo of a Nissan Silvia
    Silvia
    Photo of a Sileighty / Onevia conversions
    Sileighty / Onevia conversions

    Sileighty / Onevia conversions

    Sileighty pairs an 180SX hatchback with an S13 Silvia nose; Onevia puts 180SX pop-up lamps on a Silvia coupe.28

Against its rivals

  • BMW 323i (E36)

    Silvia vs BMW 323i (E36)

    Power

    Silvia200 hp
    BMW 323i (E36)170 hp
    13

Prices

Value today $26.0K–$45.5K12

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 197019801990200020102020 Value today: $26,000–$45,500 1965 · $3,333 · Tokyo base; approx. ¥360/US$1988 · $14,602 · Japan Q's AT; approx. ¥128/US$1994 · $44,118 · Japan 270R; approx. ¥102/US$1999 · $15,526 · Japan base; approx. ¥114/US$ 1965 · 120万0000円 · Tokyo base, 1965 model year; approx. ¥360/US$ 2018 · $46,429 · 1965 CSP311; ¥5.2m (~¥112/US$), GLION MUSEUM2022 · $11,375 · 1986 S12 Turbo; £9,100 (~US$1.25/£), The Market2024 · $11,250 · 1990 Q’s automatic, 89k km, BaT2024 · $22,000 · 1994 K’s 5-speed, 101k km, BaT2024 · $26,000 · 1997 K’s 5-speed, 11k km, BaT2025 · $46,250 · 1999 Spec-R 6-speed, 18k km, BaT2025 · $12,000 · 1989 K’s SR20DET project, 141k km, BaT2026 · $22,500 · 2000 Autech Version 6-speed, 124k km, BaT $46.4K GLION MUSEUM, 2018
239102728293031323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1965Launch price$3,333Tokyo base, 1965 model year; approx. ¥360/US$
1965Price when new$3,333Tokyo base; approx. ¥360/US$
1988Price when new$14,602Japan Q's AT; approx. ¥128/US$
1994Price when new$44,118Japan 270R; approx. ¥102/US$
1999Price when new$15,526Japan base; approx. ¥114/US$
2018Auction sale$46,4291965 CSP311; ¥5.2m (~¥112/US$), GLION MUSEUM
2022Auction sale$11,3751986 S12 Turbo; £9,100 (~US$1.25/£), The Market
2024Auction sale$11,2501990 Q’s automatic, 89k km, BaT
2024Auction sale$22,0001994 K’s 5-speed, 101k km, BaT
2024Auction sale$26,0001997 K’s 5-speed, 11k km, BaT
2025Auction sale$46,2501999 Spec-R 6-speed, 18k km, BaT
2025Auction sale$12,0001989 K’s SR20DET project, 141k km, BaT
2026Auction sale$22,5002000 Autech Version 6-speed, 124k km, BaT
2026Value today$26,000–$45,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “50.366 seconds at Tsukuba in a modified S15”
    • “Formula-car engineering in a Silvia suit”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 34 sources
  1. Nissan Silvia - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Nissan Silvia S13, S14, S15: History, Generations, Specs, Photos motortrend.com
  3. Nissan Releases All-New Silvia global.nissannews.com
  4. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Silvia nissan-global.com
  5. Nissan | Heritage Collection | New Silvia LS Type S nissan-global.com
  6. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Nissan Silvia Coupe Turbo ZSE-X nissan-global.com
  7. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Silvia Coupe Twin-cam Turbo RS-X nissan-global.com
  8. Nissan Silvia S13 for Sale in Japan: Prices & How to Buy One (2026) | TSUISO tsuisojapan.com
  9. 故意か？ 偶然か？ S13シルビアのエクステリアに漂うCSP311シルビアの幻影･･･【時代の名車探訪 No.3-8】 日産シルビアS13・1988（昭和63）年　デザイン編（エクステリア） | Motor Fan｜自動車情報のモーターファン motor-fan.jp
  10. NISMO | NISMOの歴史 | NISMOコンプリートカーからNISMOロードカーへ | vol.01 nismo.co.jp
  11. Test & Tune: 2001 Nissan Silvia S15 | Uncorking the Silvia's SR20DET Engine dsportmag.com
  12. Used Nissan Silvia S15/200SX review - ReDriven redriven.com
  13. Just looking – Nissan 200SX (S14) | evo evo.co.uk
  14. Nissan 200SX/Silvia S14: Buying guide and review (1995-2000) | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Nissan Silvia Varietta nissan-global.com
  16. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Nissan 240RS nissan-global.com
  17. Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.23 headlined by Porsche Vision GT Spyder, Volkswagen ID.R, and Nissan Silvia K’s Type S – PlayStation.Blog blog.playstation.com
  18. Datsun Sports - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. CSP311 development history | csp311 csp311.net
  20. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Silvia Super Silhouette nissan-global.com
  21. Nissan Nismo History nismo.com
  22. D1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE - 2001 Series Ranking d1gp.co.jp
  23. 「これがS15シルビア究極形態だ！」筑波50秒台を記録したアンダー鈴木シルビアの全て | Motor Fan｜自動車情報のモーターファン motor-fan.jp
  24. 【シルビア編】まるで現実の頭文字（イニシャル）D？！原作を忠実に再現したカスタム大紹介！ | CARTUNEマガジン cartune.co.jp
  25. Introducing the 'Gran Turismo Sport' August Update: Adding 5 New Japanese cars and Wet Conditions! - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  26. La Nissan S15 de Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift en restauration en France caradisiac.com
  27. あの名車の落札価格は？ 日本最大級のクラシックカーオークションが開催（Auto Messe Web） | 自動車情報・ニュース - carview! carview.yahoo.co.jp
  28. 1986 Nissan Silvia Turbo For Sale by Auction themarket.co.uk
  29. No Reserve: 1990 Nissan Silvia Q’s for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,250 on November 8, 2024 (Lot #169,906) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 18k-Kilometer 1999 Nissan Silvia Spec-R 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $46,250 on July 30, 2025 (Lot #202,826) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 2000 Nissan Silvia Autech Version 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $22,500 on September 11, 2026 (Lot #262,704) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: SR20DET-Equipped 1989 Nissan Silvia K's Project for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,000 on May 17, 2025 (Lot #192,085) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1994 Nissan Silvia K’s 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $22,000 on August 21, 2024 (Lot #159,436) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 11k-Kilometer 1997 Nissan Silvia K’s 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,000 on May 8, 2024 (Lot #146,083) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • global.nissannews.com
  • nissan-global.com
  • tsuisojapan.com
  • motor-fan.jp
  • nismo.co.jp
  • dsportmag.com
  • redriven.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • blog.playstation.com
  • csp311.net
  • nismo.com

Photo credits

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