Nismo, short for Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd., is Nissan's in-house tuning, motorsports, and performance subsidiary. Its rich history is deeply intertwined with Nissan's pursuit of automotive excellence and racing glory.
Early Roots in Motorsports (Pre-1984):
Nissan's involvement in motorsports dates back to the 1960s. A significant precursor to Nismo was Prince Motor Company, which recognized the sales potential of competitive motorsports. In 1964, the Prince Skyline 2000GT made its debut, setting the stage for what would become the legendary Nissan Skyline and eventually the GT-R. Nissan continued its racing endeavors throughout the 1960s and 70s, achieving success in various events and series.
The Birth of Nismo (1984):
In September 1984, Nismo was officially founded in Omori, Tokyo, Japan. This marked a pivotal moment as Nissan decided to merge its two motorsports divisions: the Publication Division 3 (responsible for privateer teams) and the Special Car Testing Division (in charge of factory racing teams). The goal was to consolidate and elevate Nissan's racing capabilities and expertise. Yasuharu Namba was the brand's first president, playing a crucial role in its early development.
From Track to Road:
Nismo's core mission was to achieve success in motorsports using Nissan vehicles, engines, and components. This dedication to racing quickly led to a natural progression into developing high-performance street-legal vehicles and parts for enthusiasts.
Key Milestones and Achievements:
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1985: Nismo began developing and selling original automobile parts.
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1986: Nissan, with Nismo's support, debuted at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race, marking the beginning of a long and successful relationship with endurance racing.
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Late 1980s - Early 1990s: The Skyline GT-R Era: This period saw Nismo make an indelible mark with the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32). This car achieved phenomenal success, including an incredible 29 victories from 29 starts in domestic racing and winning the Japanese GT Championship (Group A) four years in a row. It also triumphed at the Spa 24 Hours in 1991 and the Australian Touring Car Championship. The R32 GT-R's dominance earned it the nickname "Godzilla."
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1992: Nismo achieved an overall victory at the Daytona 24 Hours with the R91 CP.
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1990s: Nismo expanded its focus to include road car tuning, developing limited-production models like the R33 Skyline 400R and S14 Silvia 270R, which featured comprehensive modifications.
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1998: Nismo won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Nissan R390 GT1, a landmark victory for a Japanese manufacturer.
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Late 1990s - 2000s: Nismo continued its dominance in the Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), now known as Super GT, securing numerous championships. They also achieved success in international touring car championships.
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2007: The Fairlady Z Version Nismo was released, marking a more comprehensive Nismo treatment for a road car.
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2010s: Nissan entered the FIA GT1 World Championship with the GT-R, winning the title in 2011. Nismo also joined the Formula E championship in 2018/2019, marking its entry into electric racing.
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2022: Nismo merged with Autech Japan Inc., another Nissan tuning and conversion subsidiary, to form Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. (NMC). Nismo now operates as a division within NMC.
Today, Nismo continues to be the embodiment of ultimate Nissan performance, channeling its extensive racing heritage and engineering expertise into creating thrilling road cars and pushing the boundaries of automotive technology on the racetrack. Their "track to road" ethos remains a cornerstone of their philosophy, ensuring that innovations from the demanding world of motorsports find their way into the hands of driving enthusiasts.