The Grand Prix

i guess there was only 50 of these made that is what i read. i really wonder why Nissan didnt import to states. a special addition se or turbo with those body panels would have sold here i feel.

i really like the wide doddy look of it and yea ive read that their was something like 50 made of them i guess nissan likes the number 50 cuz the only made 50 nissan p11 primera gt for germany

Wasn't ever offered with an fj20et(turbo) afaik, only the fj20e(na)
Other than that well written ;)

Another correction to add: "It was a well known fact that the Grand Prix came in Germany with a FJ20ET."

The actual fact is the specs for the car specify an FJ20E, you can find that information here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Silvia#S12

And actually that is supported on an S12Silvia blog here:

http://s12silvia.com/?page_id=1996

The only S12's to get FJ20ET's were Silvia RS-X.

Just thought you might like to correct this info in addition to the confusion about the FJ as the predecessor engine to the RB which of course it was not (that's the other blog).

 

VG30_S12 on 04:37:28 PM / 12-May-12Wasn't ever offered with an fj20et(turbo) afaik, only the fj20e(na)
Other than that well written ;)

I dont know where you are reading that I omitted that the FJ was an option for it is there. I corrected the "T" and even noted it in a reply to you that I accidentally put in the "T" in the FJ20E. I am quite used to typing the "T" that I missed it this time around. What I did omit was your reply to another blog. It had no bearing on The Grand Prix blog.

As for the terminology that I use to write the blog, being mysterious, is not a point to even note. However, even if you want to discuss it, the mass information regarding the GP has been much more recent considering the life of the S12 community.

Ok what does all that mean? Are you saying it's mysterious? ????

That's good about the "T", and yeah it gets to be habit... people sometimes make a similar goof and put the "D" in the FJ name because of the later engines with the D in it... I think even I made the mistake in the beginning.

Always glad to see GP pics :thumbsup:

Adding the "T", wishful thinking?
I dunno why the gp wasn't offered with the"T" I think I see why but still... Maybe a no "one s12 to rule them all thing" jspec got the rsx with all the goodies but no widebody, the gp, then we got the SE(see? Shit End... Of the stick) loll jk
Anyway yeah, more info about the odd models of the s12(I didn't hear about an S13GP :p)

The Grand Prix edition was never intended as a serious performance car, or it would indeed have received the FJ20ET. That it did not get the FJ20ET is fact, not fiction; my guess is that it was more of a "rally inspired" car, given that the wide body exterior resembled popular European rally and circuit-inspired cars of its time (think Audi 9000 Quattro, BMW M3 Sport Evolution, Renault 5 Turbo 2, etc.). Nissan left the FJ20ET for the less-flamboyant and more common S12 exterior trim. By the time of the Mark II revision, the FJ was ditched out completely, and the design would never be resurrected again in any subsequent engine series. The CA18DET took it's place for the more modest S12 in the RS-X trim. At the same time, the limited-production Grand Prix was ended along with the rest of the Mark I production cars. Mark II brought the "Sports Edition" and the V6 engine to another (and entirely different) regional market, along with new and sporty exterior trimmings.

The SE exterior kit is sort of a modest bolt-on approach to the same idea as the Grand Prix exterior. The SE ground f/x kit offers a more sporty exterior look than the 87 and 88 non-SE S12's (and pretty much all other Mark II S12's around the world), setting it apart as a "Sport Edition" as it is indeed badged. From a production standpoint, a bolt-on kit is far easier than  molded-in fiberglass wide body sections.

And of course, the FJ was retired, leaving the engineers an opportunity to ponder crazier ideas, such as taking the non-turbo V6 from the Z31 and stuffing it into this new "Sports Edition" for the North American market. After all, North American consumers were falling in love with the idea of a V6 in an import car. It was "almost a V8" but had better gas mileage. And was better than a 4 cylinder engine. At least that was the common thinking among North American consumers. And hadn't this particular V6 been a solid, reliable performer in the Z31 for 3 years already? Not wanting to compete outright with the turbocharged Z, they restrained themselves and the 200SX SE received the non-turbocharged VG30E. The result was a very snazzy, solid, strong-pulling V6 sports car at a more modest price than the 300ZX... but not reaching to the turbocharged performance of the 300ZX Turbo (as well as less bells and whistles inside the 200SX SE).

To me, the 200SX SE is the replacement for the Silvia Grand Prix... or perhaps it's more accurately said to be Nissan's second attempt at targeting a regional market. It was a targeted special edition for North America -- tailored for North American consumer opinions that in the late 80's differed quite a bit from European consumer interests in the early to mid 80's.

To S12 enthusiasts outside of North America, the SE is seen in similar curiosity -- and respect -- to how the Grand Prix edition is seen.

I think, as a blog editor, it is okay to give your blogs some flavor or interesting parts (as long as you don't give wrong facts) :)

More importantly, I have seen a GP in real life ;)