Nissan Skyline GT-R KPGC110 (Kenmeri)

Nissan Skyline GT-R KPGC110 (Kenmeri)

The 1973 Nissan Skyline GT-R KPGC110, known as the 'Kenmeri' after the romantic advertising campaign featuring a couple named Ken and Mary, is the rarest and most enigmatic of all Skyline GT-R variants. With only 197 units produced before the 1973 oil crisis forced Nissan to cancel the model, the Kenmeri GT-R has become one of the most sought-after Japanese collector cars in existence.

The Kenmeri GT-R retained the S20 engine from its Hakosuka predecessor, producing the same 160 horsepower from its 1,989cc dual-overhead-cam 24-valve inline-six with triple Mikuni-Solex carburetors. The engine was mated to a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential, maintaining the mechanical formula that had proved so successful.

However, the KPGC110 was a larger, heavier car than the KPGC10 it replaced. The new body, styled by Nissan's design team with flowing lines that reflected the shift toward softer, more aerodynamic shapes in the early 1970s, was undeniably attractive but added weight. The suspension retained the MacPherson strut front and semi-trailing arm rear layout, but the increased mass dulled the handling slightly compared to the lighter Hakosuka.

The Kenmeri GT-R arrived at the worst possible time. Launched in January 1973, it coincided with increasingly strict Japanese emissions regulations and the October 1973 oil crisis that devastated global automotive markets. Nissan was forced to discontinue the GT-R after producing only 197 units, and the GT-R name would not return until the R32 in 1989, a hiatus of 16 years.

In racing, the Kenmeri GT-R had limited opportunity to establish itself. It competed in a handful of events but never achieved the dominant winning record of its predecessor. The car's competition legacy is therefore more about potential unrealized than victories achieved.

The exterior design featured the distinctive round taillights that would become a Skyline trademark, a long hood, and elegant proportions that many consider the most beautiful of all Skyline GT-R designs. The front featured a wide grille, driving lights, and subtle GT-R badging that distinguished it from the standard Skyline 2000GT.

With only 197 units ever produced, the Kenmeri GT-R's survival rate is understandably low. It is estimated that fewer than 100 examples survive worldwide, with the majority residing in Japan. When genuine examples appear on the market, they command extraordinary prices, with some estimates placing top-condition cars at $500,000 to $1,000,000 or more.

The Kenmeri GT-R represents a fascinating 'what if' in automotive history. Had the oil crisis not intervened, Nissan would likely have produced thousands of examples and developed the model for racing, as they had with the Hakosuka. Instead, the Kenmeri GT-R became a rare and beautiful footnote, the rarest GT-R ever built and one of the most valuable Japanese automobiles in existence.