The original Skyline GT-R, the PGC10, debuted on February 4, 1969, and was exclusive to Nissan Prince Store dealerships. It was equipped with a 2.0 L DOHC S20 Inline-six engine rated at 119 kW (162 PS; 160 hp) at 7,000 rpm. The car featured a 5-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. A two-door coupé version, the KPGC10, followed in October 1970, with black FRP overbumpers and redesigned mirrors. The name "Hakosuka" became popular, combining "hako" (box) and "Suka" (Skyline). A total of 832 PGC10 and 1,197 KPGC10 Skyline GT-Rs were produced.
The KPGC110, introduced in 1973, used an unchanged S20 inline-6 engine and only 197 units were sold due to the worldwide energy crisis. This model never participated in a major race and now resides in Nissan's historical car storage unit in Zama. After a 16-year hiatus, the GT-R name was revived in 1989 as the BNR32 ("R32") Skyline GT-R, designed to dominate Group A racing.
Nissan developed a 2.6 L RB26DETT-powered, all-wheel drive R32 GT-R, producing 206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp) at 6,800 rpm. The car weighed 1,430 kg (3,150 lb). The R32 GT-R earned the nickname "Godzilla" after a July 1989 article in Wheels magazine, a name carried through subsequent generations. A special Nismo version, the GT-R Nismo, was introduced on February 22, 1990, with aerodynamic improvements and a weight reduction to 1,400 kg (3,086 lb). The Nismo version was limited to 560 units. The R32 GT-R also achieved a lap time of 8:22.38 minutes around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 1989, becoming the fastest production vehicle around the track at the time. Production of the R32 Skyline GT-R ceased in November 1994, after a total of 43,937 units were produced.
The E-BCNR33 (R33) Skyline GT-R was introduced in January 1995. It used a nearly identical engine to the R32, but corrected a weak oil pump drive collar. The R33 GT-R set a lap time of 7:59.88 minutes at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, becoming the first production vehicle to break the 8-minute mark. In 1995, Nissan produced the 1995 GT-R LM, a race car based on the R33, which achieved tenth overall and fifth in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A limited edition R33 LM Limited was also released, with 188 units produced.
The GF-BNR34 (R34) Skyline GT-R debuted in January 1999, featuring a shorter wheelbase and red valve covers. The R34 GT-R recorded a lap time of 7:52 minutes at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 1999. A V·spec N1 model was introduced, with reduced weight and a revised engine. The V·spec II, introduced in 2000, added stiffer suspension and a carbon fibre bonnet. The final R34 models, the V·spec II Nür and M·spec Nür, were launched in February 2002, featuring an upgraded engine. A total of 1,003 Nür models were built. Nismo also produced the Z-tune, a limited edition model with a 2.8 L engine producing 368 kW (500 PS; 493 hp), of which only 19 were made.
Following the end of R34 production in 2002, Nissan separated the GT-R model from the Skyline name, creating a new vehicle—the Nissan GT-R—based on a similar platform. The Skyline GT-R’s motorsport success included wins in the Spa 24 Hours in 1991, and multiple championships in the Japanese and Australian Touring Car Championships. The car also saw success in the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, with wins in 1993, 1996, and 1998.