Prince S50 (1963 to 1968)

The Prince Skyline S50, manufactured globally from 1963 until 1968, was the sophisticated second-generation model that introduced the "Skyline" nameplate to Australian shores well before the Nissan merger was finalised. Often regarded as a definitive underdog to its competitors in Australia, such as the Ford Cortina and the EH Holden, the S50 suffered from being a pioneer in a market that was still deeply sceptical of Japanese engineering. Despite its "slow-seller" status, it was technically advanced for its era, featuring the G-1 1.5-litre engine and later evolving into the legendary six-cylinder S54 GT—the car that famously challenged Porsche at Suzuka and even tackled the Gallagher 500 at Bathurst in 1967. In the 2026 Australian market, the S50’s desirability has surged among vintage enthusiasts who prize its role as the "great-grandfather" of the GT-R, with the tiny surviving buyer pool being a tight-knit community of collectors dedicated to preserving the few original Australian-delivered cars left in existence. While it never achieved the mainstream success of its rivals, its rarity and racing pedigree mean that market value remains exceptionally high for well-restored examples, particularly for the triple-Weber-carburetted GT-B models which are now viewed as blue-chip investments. Consequently, the S50 has transitioned from a 1960s curiosity into a revered cornerstone of Australian automotive history, representing a time when a small Japanese upstart dared to take on the world's best.

The Prince Skyline S50, manufactured globally from 1963 until 1968, was the sophisticated second-generation model that introduced the "Skyline" nameplate to Australian shores well before the Nissan merger was finalised. Often regarded as a definitive underdog to its competitors in Australia, such as the Ford Cortina and the EH Holden, the S50 suffered from being a pioneer in a market that was still deeply sceptical of Japanese engineering. Despite its "slow-seller" status, it was technically adv… Read more