Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| DR30 | Turbo RS family | 2000 Turbo RS sedan (1983) and Turbo Intercooler RS-X sedan (1984) |
| HR30 | GT-E/X sedan | 2000GT-E/X four-door sedan with the L20E (1983) |
| KHR30 | Turbo hardtop | Turbo GT-E/S two-door hardtop with the L20ET (1981) |
| RHR30 | Hatchback | 2000GT-E/X five-door hatchback (1983) |
Codes are those Nissan's heritage pages attach to specific exhibited cars. Nissan does not give a letter-by-letter breakdown in the sources used, and this is not a complete code census.
Editorial notes
Key Takeaways
- R30 is the sixth-generation Skyline, introduced in Japan on 18 August 1981 and followed by a new generation in August 1985.
- No R30 is a factory GT-R. Nissan says the Turbo RS did not receive the GT-R name, so a car sold as one needs correcting.
- RS means FJ20. The 1,990 cc DOHC four-cylinder powered the 2000RS and turbo RS cars; other grades used L-series sixes or Z-series fours.
- Power depends on the dated grade: 190 PS for the 1983 Turbo RS, 205 PS for the Turbo Intercooler RS from February 1984.
- The Iron Mask face dates from August 1983; earlier Turbo RS cars wore the earlier grille.
- Check for rust first. Top Gear's buying report names serious corrosion as the main concern on surviving DR30 cars.
Background
Grades, engines and the Iron Mask
The R30 unified the earlier short-nose four-cylinder and long-nose six-cylinder bodies. The RS grades use the FJ20: the 2000RS made 150 PS at 6,000 rpm from October 1981, the 1983 Turbo RS made 190 PS and 225 Nm, and the Turbo Intercooler RS of February 1984 made 205 PS and 245 Nm. The RS-X example adds an eight-way electric driver's seat, power steering, power windows and a cassette radio.
The grilleless Iron Mask face arrived in August 1983. Other grades used the 125 PS L20E, the L20ET turbo, Z-series fours and the LD28 diesel. Nissan says the Turbo RS was not given the GT-R name.
Codes Nissan attaches to R30 cars
DR30 is Nissan's label for the 1983 Turbo RS sedan and the 1984 Turbo Intercooler RS-X sedan. HR30 is the 1983 2000GT-E/X sedan with the L20E, KHR30 the 1981 Turbo GT-E/S hardtop with the L20ET, and RHR30 the 1983 2000GT-E/X hatchback. These are exhibit labels from Nissan's heritage pages, not a complete code census.
Dimensions, weights and brakes
The Turbo RS sedan measures 4,595/1,665/1,385 mm on a 2,615 mm wheelbase and weighs 1,165 kg. Nissan's Turbo RS hardtop is 4,595/1,665/1,360 mm and 1,175 kg, so do not substitute sedan figures. The 1983 GT-E/X sedan is 1,150 kg on Nissan's English page, while Nissan's Japanese page for a post-1983-facelift example lists 1,180 kg. The GT-E/X hatchback weighs 1,185 kg and has front ventilated discs, rear drums and 185/70SR14 tyres, so not every R30 has four-wheel discs.
Tomica Super Silhouette
The Tomica Super Silhouette is a Group 5 racing car, not a road RS. Masahiro Hasemi debuted it in May 1982, and Nissan records two wins that year and five in 1983. Its 2,082 cc LZ20B engine is quoted at over 570 PS and has nothing in common with the FJ20ET road engine.
Technical Specifications
Engine Options
-
HR30 2000GT-E/X sedan 1983
L20E- Displacement
- 1,998 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 125 PS @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 167 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
- Transmission
- 5MT / 3AT (period table)
Nissan's English heritage page lists 1,150 kg; its Japanese page lists 1,180 kg for the facelift example.
-
KHR30 Turbo GT-E/S hardtop 1981
L20ET- Displacement
- 1,998 cc
- Aspiration
- Turbo
- Power
- 145 PS @ 5,600 rpm
- Torque
- 206 Nm @ 3,200 rpm
- Transmission
- 5MT / 3AT (period table)
1,160 kg.
-
R30 2000RS from Oct 1981
FJ20E- Displacement
- 1,990 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 150 PS @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- —
- Transmission
- 5MT (period table)
DOHC four-cylinder.
-
DR30 Turbo RS from Feb 1983
FJ20ET- Displacement
- 1,990 cc
- Aspiration
- Turbo
- Power
- 190 PS @ 6,400 rpm
- Torque
- 225 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
- Transmission
- 5MT (period table)
No intercooler. Sedan 1,165 kg; hardtop 1,175 kg.
-
DR30 Turbo Intercooler RS-X sedan 1984
FJ20ET- Displacement
- 1,990 cc
- Aspiration
- Turbo, intercooled
- Power
- 205 PS @ 6,400 rpm
- Torque
- 245 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
- Transmission
- 5MT / 4EAT (period table)
1,235 kg.
-
RHR30 2000GT-E/X hatchback 1983
L20E- Displacement
- 1,998 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 125 PS @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 167 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
- Transmission
- 5MT / 3AT (period table)
1,185 kg.
Variants & Trims
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | 2000GT-E/X sedan and hatchback | L20E 2.0L OHC inline-six | 125 PS, 167 Nm. Nissan lists the sedan at 1,150 kg on its English page and 1,180 kg for the facelift example on its Japanese page; hatchback 1,185 kg with rear drum brakes. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | Turbo GT-E/S hardtop | L20ET 2.0L OHC turbo inline-six | 1981 example: 145 PS, 206 Nm, 1,160 kg, front and rear discs. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | 2000RS | FJ20E 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder | Introduced 21 October 1981; 150 PS at 6,000 rpm. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | 2000 Turbo RS | FJ20ET 2.0L DOHC turbo four-cylinder | From February 1983; 190 PS, 225 Nm. Iron Mask face from August 1983. No GT-R name. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | Turbo Intercooler RS / RS-X | FJ20ET 2.0L DOHC turbo four-cylinder | From February 1984; 205 PS, 245 Nm. RS-X example adds an eight-way electric driver's seat, power steering, power windows and cassette radio. |
| R30 (1981–1985, sixth generation) | Other TI, GT and diesel grades | L20E, L20ET, Z20, Z18, LD28 | Launch engines listed by Nissan; the grade census is incomplete in the sources used. |
Should You Buy a Nissan Skyline R30?
Why You'll Love It
- A distinct pre-RB sporting Skyline The DR30 RS family uses the FJ20 DOHC four-cylinder. The Turbo RS arrived in February 1983, and the intercooled version reached 205 PS from February 1984.
- Manufacturer specifications exist Nissan's heritage pages give output, dimensions and weight for the Turbo GT-E/S, GT-E/X, Turbo RS, RS-X and hatchback examples.
- Several body styles A four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop and a five-door hatchback were sold.
- A famous racing relative Nissan's Group 5 Super Silhouette Skyline won twice in 1982 and five times in 1983. It is a racing car, not a road RS.
Why You Might Not
- Corrosion is the documented risk Top Gear warns that surviving DR30 cars can be badly corroded, so a structural inspection matters more than mileage.
- Grades are easy to confuse RS, Turbo RS and Turbo Intercooler RS differ in output and date, and the Iron Mask face does not by itself identify the intercooled car.
- Only the RS grades have the FJ20 Other R30s use engines such as the 125 PS L20E, so the Skyline name alone does not promise RS performance.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone expecting a factory GT-R: no R30 left Nissan with that name.
- Anyone who cannot arrange a structural inspection: Top Gear's report flags serious corrosion on surviving cars.
- Anyone treating the Tomica racing Skyline as a road car: it was a Group 5 silhouette racer with a 2,082 cc LZ20B engine.
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion | Top Gear's Riccioni describes surviving DR30 cars as at risk of corrosion, with some "dissolving at the first whiff of salt". | Get an independent structural inspection before paying; check the underside and arches in person. |
| Mixed-up RS grades | The Turbo RS made 190 PS from February 1983, the intercooled car 205 PS from February 1984, and the Iron Mask face arrived in between, in August 1983. | Match the car's equipment and paperwork to a dated grade before paying a premium for a badge. |
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
R30 generation span (Japan) (1981–1985)
- Sixth-generation Skyline, introduced 18 August 1981
- Succeeded by the next generation in August 1985
- Four- and six-cylinder bodies unified
2000RS launch (21 October 1981)
- FJ20 1,990 cc DOHC four-cylinder, 150 PS at 6,000 rpm
Turbo RS (February 1983)
- Turbocharged FJ20ET, 190 PS; the Turbo RS was not given the GT-R name
Iron Mask facelift (August 1983)
- Grilleless RS front; earlier Turbo RS cars had the earlier grille
Turbo Intercooler RS (February 1984)
- Intercooled FJ20ET raises the published output to 205 PS
Tomica Super Silhouette (1982–1983)
- Group 5 racing car, not a road RS
- Masahiro Hasemi; two wins in 1982, five in 1983
Market Data
Reported Counts & Rarity
| Generation | Years | Reported Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| R30 (all bodies) | 1981–1985 | Over 400,000 (reported) | Top Gear editorial approximation; market and body split not stated. Sporting DR30 cars were sold in far smaller numbers. |
In Pictures
The Buyer's Read
Start by identifying the car's actual grade. A true R30 RS has the FJ20 four-cylinder: 150 PS in the naturally aspirated 2000RS from October 1981, 190 PS in the Turbo RS from February 1983, and 205 PS in the intercooled cars from February 1984. Ask which of those the car is and check it against dates, because the Iron Mask face arrived in August 1983, between the two turbo ratings. Plenty of R30 Skylines are not RS cars at all: the L20E sedan, hardtop and hatchback made 125 PS, and the sources show Z-series and diesel grades too. Reject any claim of a factory GT-R. Then spend your money on a structural inspection, because Top Gear identifies serious corrosion as the main worry on surviving DR30 cars. Nissan documents weights and dimensions that differ between sedan and hardtop, which helps spot a mismatched shell. For parts, programme support is not established: Nismo's Heritage Parts programme covers later GT-R models, not the R30. Wagon and commercial-body scope remains unsettled, so do not pay extra for one on the strength of a listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Was there an R30 GT-R?
- No. Nissan says the Turbo RS did not receive the GT-R name, so an R30 advertised as a factory GT-R needs correcting. The performance flagship was the DR30 RS family.
- What is the difference between R30 and DR30?
- R30 is the generation. Nissan's heritage pages label the Turbo RS and Turbo Intercooler RS-X examples DR30, the GT-E/X sedan HR30, the Turbo hardtop KHR30 and the GT-E/X hatchback RHR30. These are exhibit labels, not a full code list.
- What makes an R30 an Iron Mask?
- The grilleless RS front treatment arrived with the August 1983 facelift. Turbo RS cars built before it had the earlier grille, so the face helps date a car.
- How do RS, Turbo RS and intercooled RS-X differ?
- The 2000RS (October 1981) is naturally aspirated at 150 PS. The Turbo RS (February 1983) made 190 PS and 225 Nm. The Turbo Intercooler RS (February 1984) raised that to 205 PS and 245 Nm; the RS-X example adds a power-adjustable driver's seat, power steering and power windows.
- Is the R30 a four-cylinder or six-cylinder Skyline?
- Both. Launch grades included the L20E and L20ET sixes, the Z20 and Z18 fours and an LD28 diesel. The RS cars use the FJ20 four-cylinder. Nissan says the R30 unified the earlier separate four- and six-cylinder bodies.
- Did the R30 come as a hatchback, wagon or van?
- Sedan, hardtop and hatchback are confirmed in Nissan's heritage pages. Nissan USA lists a four-door wagon, while Nissan Heritage says the estate wagon was discontinued. A Japanese commercial brochure was not found, so wagon and van scope stays open.
- Is the Tomica racing Skyline related to the road RS?
- Only by name. It was a Group 5 Super Silhouette with a 2,082 cc LZ20B engine rated at over 570 PS, driven by Masahiro Hasemi. It is not an FJ20ET road car.
- Can an R30 be imported to the US?
- Federal safety rules allow a vehicle that is 25 or more years old, judged on each car's own age; every R30 is past that. EPA separately expects the engine to be the same model and configuration as originally installed, which matters for swapped cars.
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