S12Silvia.com

In 1984 Nissan added a special version S12 to their lineup to celebrate the companies 50th Anniversary. The 50th Anniversary version S12 is based on the Silvia R-X.G luxury model and includes all the top of the line features such as full electrics, rain sensing auto wipers, and drivers guide. The special version recieved a new two-tone white over gold paint scheme and matching gold wheels. An Anniversary badge also takes pride of place on the front grill.





The interior remains much the same as the standard R-X.G model, however the seats are updated with embroidered 50th Anniversary logos and a gold striped pattern. A special 50th Anniversary key is also included with the car.





The 50th Anniversary version sports the same turbocharged PLASMA CA18ET engine as the R-X.G Silvia, producing 135PS @ 6000rpm.


500 Anniversary models were built to celebrate the occasion and sold only in the Japanese market.





The full brochure has been added to the ever-growing S12Silvia.com library, you can click here to view/download the 50th Anniversary brochure (6.7mb).

Last month I traveled to Europe and spent the better part of a week in England. So much history, so much culture, and so many amazing cars that one could see. If I had half a mind at the time, I should have taken pictures of all the amazing cars that were seen as they ranged from old classics to modern day super cars that made me drool. Namely the number of Aston Martins roaming around the streets made me quite envious and only cemented one of my life's goals: to own an Aston Martin.

At the tail end of my journey around the southern bit of England, I attended the Japanese Auto Extravaganza. Held at Kettering, England, JAE is truly a three day event (Sept 7-9) filled with so much that arriving late only served as a disfavour to my efforts to enjoy the experience. Hosted by Mark and the rest of those a part of the Netherlands Nissan Club (Nissan Club Nederland), I had a great time and owe them a great amount of gratitude.

As with the preceding years, the number of S12s have been quite small in number when compared to the other makes and models that usually attend, but their presence is always felt as they grab attention from all those who attend. With a mixture of admiration, interest, and reminiscing, there is no denying that with the rarity of the S12 chassis in Europe and the increasing appeal of Old School cars (Datsuns/Nissans in particular), the S12s are as intriguing as they are eye catchers.

In addition to Mark's Grand Prix, two other S12s were able to show. Both have been in the S12 scene for some time but have had varying exposure to International Community we have here.on S12Silvia.com. Stephen Reynolds and Peter Brouwer have already found much love for their Silvias. With a list of things to do to their S12s already (some of which has been accomplished), after talking with the two, I could tell that both were serious and am very much looking forward to catching up with them in the future to cover their progress.

Mark's Grand Prix

Peter's Brouwer's 1987 Turbo S12. With the modest upgrades, Peter's S12 is producing approximately 200 bhp. Quite impressive for the little motor. It does seem that the Europeans do know how to make the CA18ET perform.

Stephen's Reynold's 1988 Turbo S12 is actually his third S12 and his history with the S12 goes back a fair amount as he was one of the original members of the UK group. Registered as an '89, Stephen's S12 is not an anomaly as such registrations happened every so often in the UK (as compared to most other markets ending the S12 chassis in 1988). As for his front bumper, Stephen has one of the last remaining bits from Silvia Engineering and is currently looking to finish up the look with the rest of the kit.

And the group representing the S12s at JAE 2012. Next year, it does sound like there will be more attending as several did plan to come but due to unfortunate circumstances were unable to show. I am very much looking forward to seeing what JAE has to offer in 2013. And if it turns out to be what the rumours are mentioning, 2013 just may be a big year for the S12s at JAE.

For many, there is the pursuit to find those particular cars that stand out within the automotive world. Whether they are an Import, Domestic, or European, one can spend hours without end in an attempt to find that one example that arrests the yes and sparks interest. Far more than a needle in a haystack, the Internet for all its power has made the effort that much more painstaking. And then there are certain countries we look to for our examples to help expedite our searches. Much of the time we are quite successful but with these patterned searches, there is much we fail to find.

One such example is Edgar Ramirez's Notchback. Hailing from Monterrey, Mexico, he has proved that even in a country where one may not put high on their list, there are amazing representations from all over the world.

Edgar Ramirez's story begins well before he bought his car three years ago. Edgar's family were indeed a Nissan family with much passion for them so it would only be natural that growing up, Edgar would want a Nissan as well. It was his father (who passed away eight years ago) who instilled the Nissan love Edgar at a young age. And of all the Nissans available, Edgar's dad was indeed someone we can all appreciate within the S12 community as he owned an S12 himself.

After his dad passed away, Edgar wanted to honour his father and what better way would there be to find an S12 of his own to carry on the tradition. So at the age of 22, Edgar bought his 1987 S12 from a friend and has since been fixing the details on it while retooling its design.

Currently powered by a CA20E, Edgar has done much work to restore the chassis and bring it back to its original splendor, which is a rarity where his lives. With so few S12s in Mexico, it can be said that Edgar's S12 is an amazing example and could very well be one of the best.

So, with so much work into the S12, Edgar isn't without plans for his Notchback. It is his plan to swap in an SR20DET in the near future and rid it of the boat anchor we call the CA20E.

And carrying with tradition (and to mess with tradition is just bad juju), Edgar intends to pass on his Notchback to his daughter, who by chance is on her way in a few months time. First off, we at S12Silvia.com would like to say congratulations to you, your wife, and your upcoming daughter. And of course, keep up the great work with your S12. We look forward to seeing more of it in the future!

Looking back at my European trip it seems such a blur. I accomplished much more than originally thought to be possible. Happily, a look into the European S12 community proves that despite the prowess of the Australians or Americans, anyone can hold the talent to make anything possible. I was surprised by how commonplace renovated barns served as full garages that often held impressive projects of various kinds. With my focus on S12s, it was even more amazing to find projects that rivaled any of those seen elsewhere. This reinforced that despite their lack of prominence in the community, the European S12s are equal in ingenuity to those we have grown accustomed to seeing online.

First, many thanks goes out to Mark van der Velden of the Netherlands for his assistance. Without his knowledge and willingness to help, much would have been lost in translation. During my stay, we visited England, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands in pursuit of the hidden treasures and rarities I had traveled to find. From two S12s in England, a Grand Prix project in the Netherlands, the elusive Champion in Switzerland, and an unforgettable experience in a Grand Prix on the legendary Nordschleife; it was an unforgettable experience. The past two weeks were incredible and, if it taught me one thing, no matter how great of a resource the internet may be, there are things happening in all unexpected corners of the globe.

Of the mini-series to follow, there will much to share. With so many people and places in Europe yet to visit, I have no fear that there will be a lack of amazing finds, interesting projects, and people to meet in years to come.

Nissan got it right all those years ago. There is just something about white coupes. With their Full White edition of the S12, Nissan can be said to have outdone themselves with only a few other special editions to be on par. Unlike Japan, which was home to the Full White, the US never received this edition nor anything of its caliber. But one thing can be said, Andrew Harvey's '87 coupe S12 surely makes up for our lack of the Full White. Being that it is very much a copy of it from the outside, the engine choice is akin to the MKII RS-X CA18DET as it is powered by the US' variant in that of the V6-powered SE. Amazingly restored/preserved, it has caught the eyes of many and just recently has been featured on growing blog site. A great blog with some of the best pictures of Andrew's car as of yet, be sure check it out.

FckYourCrew's: The Older Sibling