Originating in 1965 as a stunningly gorgeous, hand-built sports car made in low numbers, the Nissan Silvia has undergone many evolutions, becoming purpose-built as a light, affordable, and fun sports car. Given a different name when exported, those who live in Europe may recognize the Silvia as the Nissan 200SX, and North Americans will know it as the 240SX.
Sold in Japan as the Silvia, the car's 2nd generation was the basis for Nissan's S-platform, something evident when looking at how the generations are named. With the first Silvia being designated the CSP311, the second would be the S10. Continuing from there, the Silvia S14 is the nameplate's 6th generation (2nd for the 240SX nameplate) and ran from 1993 up until 1998.
Also, the second last generation of the Silvia, the S14 may not be as revered as the S15, or beloved as the S13, but still stands for all the greatness of them. So, read on, to see the 10 coolest things about the Silvia S14.
10 It's One Of The Most Ideal Drift Cars Out There
This applies to the S13 and S15 as well, but the Silvia S14's initial purpose of being an affordable and lightweight sports car is no longer what defines it, instead being replaced by the platform's propensity to pull off sideways drifts with ease.
Really, today it's impossible to mention Nissan's S platform cars without bringing up their popularity as a drift car, and that's for several good reasons. The first of which is its aforementioned lightweight, and possibility to be made even lighter. Combine that with RWD, an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution, as well as a high revving engine that can make some serious power, and the S14 makes a lot more sense as the perfect drift car. This is no secret though, as the Nissan S platform was a frequent sight in Video Option - a Japanese automotive entertainment show that helped popularize drifting as a motorsport during the late '80s and early '90s.
9 The "Zenki" And "Kouki" Front Ends
Take a look at pictures of the S14, and you may notice that the car has two completely distinct faces. Representing a mid-generation facelift, the S14 can be referred to as a "Zenki" or "Kouki" depending on when it was made.
Part of a Japanese term meaning "early period" (Zenki) or "latter period" (Kouki), the difference is straightforward and simple. Introduced in Japan during 1993, the Silvia S14 was released with the softer, rounder front end you see pictured at the top of this entry - the Zenki S14. Refreshed in 1996 with a more angular front end, the Silvia gained a new aggressive face - the Kouki S14. Either style is a great example of '90s JDM design and is purely a matter of taste as to which looks better.
8 You Can Now Import Them To The USA
The dreadful rule-keeping American enthusiasts from attaining their JDM dream cars, to privately import a vehicle to the USA, it must follow the 25-year rule, meaning only the older models can be brought over.
Fortunately though, the Silvia S14 was released in Japan during 1993, meaning the first two years of the Zenki style Silvia S14 can now be imported from Japan to the USA. You'll have to wait another year until the Kouki can be imported, but if a JDM S14 is high on your list of cars to import, you're in luck.
At the same time though, we did in fact get the S14 in North America, just not as a Silvia, instead it was called the 240SX, and both the Zenki and Kouki styles were sold here. That begs the question, why would you want to import one from Japan then?
7 It Had A Better Engine Than The North American S14
The answer to the previous question of why someone would import a Silvia S14 to the USA, the 240SX was sold in North America for both S13 and S14 generations, and the "240" in its name represented the displacement of the engine it received. Unfortunately, that engine has a lot less power, potential, and desirability than what the Silvia was powered by.
Designated the KA24, the North American market 240SX's engine left a whole lot to be desired. Originating in the late '80s, the Nissan KA series of engines were solid and reliable iron-block motors but were far from exciting. Used in vehicles like the Pathfinder and Hardbody truck, the KA24 had a couple of variants, with the 155 hp KA24DE serving as the engine of choice for North American S13 and S14 240SX models.
Applying to the S13 as well, the JDM Silvia saw a far more desirable, performance-oriented engine offered as stock. Known as the SR20DET, this engine came in several forms known as the "red top" on the S13, and "black top" on the S14 and S15. Turbocharged from the factory, the SR20DET made 217 hp but is most notorious for its ability to be tuned, capable of hitting around 400 hp with a set of bolt-on modifications.
6 There's An Immense Selection Of Aftermarket Parts
As mentioned, the SR20 powered Silvia S14 is so legendary for its aftermarket tuning potential, but that doesn't just stop with the engine. As a favorite of the tuner scene, almost every mechanical part on the S14 Silvia has some kind of aftermarket replacement available, letting you build yours comprehensively, and however you please.
Interested in changing up the exterior aesthetics? Body kit makers such as Rocket Bunny have you covered with some properly badass widebody kits, and if you don't want such a drastic change, smaller custom bits like side skirts aren't hard to find.
Want more power from the SR20 engine? Not aa problem, as everything from performance camshafts, to upgraded turbochargers are easy to find, and readily stocked. When it comes to handling upgrades as well, S14 owners have access to an excellent selection of parts. Even better still, with the Silvia S14's popularity as a base for modifications you won't be the first one to undertake the job, meaning enthusiast forums are packed with helpful information to guide you along the modification process.
5 It's Lightweight And Well Balanced
The Silvia S14 has respectable power, good looks, and plenty of ways to turn it into a beast. That's not the full story though, as part of the S14's performance legacy comes not from its power, but from its agility - a feat aided by the car's low weight, and how it's balanced.
To put things into perspective Nissan's current small sports car, the 370Z, tips the scales with a curb weight of 3,333 lbs. Coming in at a curb weight of around 2,700 lbs, the Silvia S14 weighs around the same as a new Toyota GT86 - a modern lightweight sports car. Even better, that weight has a nearly perfect balance, making the S14 a well-behaved car that can maneuver nimbly, especially sideways.
4 It Was A JGTC Racer, And Class Winner
While drifting may be the S14 (and the rest of the S platform generations) most iconic motorsport, that's not to say the nimble sports car didn't compete in other, more grip oriented motorsports.
Now known as Super GT, the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC) was a sports car racing series founded in 1993 that, as the name suggests, took place on racetracks across Japan. Divided into two classes, GT500 was a battleground for the top-dog sports cars like the Nissan Skyline GTR (and even legends like the Ferrari F40), while GT300 was for the less powerful entrants like the Nissan Silvia S14. While not as successful as its big brother, the GTR, the S14 proved an excellent car for its class, with the RS*R sponsored S14 (pictured on top of entry) winning the GT300 class in 1997.
3 The Nismo 270R
Thanks to how accessible and easy modifying them is, and their popularity as a drift car, one of the hardest S14s to find is a well-maintained stock example. While that's an anecdote, one of the genuinely rarest S14s is this beast - the Nismo 270R.
Responsible for several of Nissan's most legendary tuned JDM legends, Nismo is the in-house motorsports team and tuner for Nissan (along the lines of BMW's M division). One of their more obscure yet awesome creations, the Nismo 270R took the pre-facelift "Zenki" S14 and imbued it with plenty of performance. Tuning the engine to boost power from the stock 217 hp to 270 hp, as the name suggests, the Nismo 270R came with upgrades like performance brakes, upgraded suspension, a heavier clutch, an aerodynamic body kit, and plenty of other smaller touches. The coolest part though, was that only 30 were made, making it an incredibly rare JDM gem.
2 The Rocket Bunny Boss Aero Kit
Known for their ultra-aggressive and badass widebody kits, Rocket Bunny makes aesthetic packages that transform cars into the most wicked versions of themselves. On the S14 however, that kit goes beyond just tweaking the exterior, and imparts the JDM sports car with looks befitting of an old-school American muscle car – and it looks awesome.
While retaining the stock roofline, and rear end, the Boss Aero kit throws on some ultra wide flared fenders as per their usual style, but most notably gives the S14 a completely new front end. Flat, angular, and aggressive, the front end they designed harkens back to the big-block muscle beasts of the late '60s and early '70s, bearing plenty of resemblance to a 1970 Hemi Cuda. Regardless of what it used for inspiration, one thing is for sure, the Rocket Bunny Boss Aero kit on an S14 is an incredible mashup of American and Japanese style that can only be described as awesome.
1 It Was In The Fast And The Furious
Helping to introduce many of us modern car enthusiasts to the performance world, the first Fast and Furious movie is absolutely iconic, featuring some of the best cars of the time in an action-packed movie.
The girlfriend to Vin Diesel's character, the secondary protagonist Dom Toretto, Letty Ortiz was played by Michelle Rodriguez. A badass street racer just like the guys the movie follows, Letty participated in Dom's robberies, and the races that made the movie so memorable, including Race Wars - where she beats a Mazda RX-7 with her Nissan S14. While it wasn't a hero car, the S14 fit right at home with all the performance legends featured in the movie like Brian O'Conner's legendary Supra.
NEXT: Here's Where Paul Walker's Toyota Supra From The Fast And Furious Is Today