2010 Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) – Top Nissan Silvia / 180SXs

This orange S13 Silvia is run in the D1 Street Legal drift racing series, which began in 2005. The rules keep the street legal machines closer to stock, lower priced and road registered. Not quite a full blown sequential transmission-equipped HKS D1GP effort. This is something that the US’ Formula Drift series could use

From our research data and surveys, it seems that many of you like the 240SX S-chassis platforms. The S13, S14 and S15 240SX/180SX/Silvia models are cheap, rear-wheel drive and can be built like Legos. Some of you have put turbocharged SR20DETs, roaring V8s and naturally aspirated V6s into them. Some of you go autocrossing, some drifting and some just out for a cruise.

Moving up into the more hardcore pro ranks of the D1GP, we see Mizuhata’s HPI S15 Nissan Silvia. As opposed to the Street Legal S13, this S15 has more aero, body mods, engine mods and cage work

But one thing is for sure. With the amount of go-fast upgrades and parts available for these cars,almost anything can be done with a S. Despite having lapsed out of production for a few years now, the Silvia and 180SX are still popular in Japan. This is due to the fact that the car’s immense popularity has given it some serious staying power. It has appeared in the JGTC, D1GP and more YouTube videos than we can count.

With its low point of entry price, it’s bound to be more common than a hopped up Ferrari F430. Even in Japan, with cheapness and popularity comes imagination. It’s time to go nuts on that old car.

D1 Grand Prix series pro drift cars were all over the Tokyo Auto Salon. Kawabata’s widebody S13 Nissan 180SX represented the Toyo Tires booth

As opposed to the drift or racecars, this black S13 fastback attempted to showcase a more smooth version of widebody, flared body work. Is this what the kids call VIP?

There’s no doubt about it, drifting has become popular across the world. Where there’s a track or parking lot, somebody is driving sideways. But it all started in Japan and they haven’t let anyone forget it yet. Drift cars were common at TAS and this big turbo SR20DET engine bay is pretty typical of most amateur and lower pro level cars

As the pony car of Japan, the Silvia is both popular and highly customizable. This S13 Nissan Silvia coupe has a dramatically muscled body and does actually look pretty mean. Not sure if we’d keep those big wheels though

Modified with an American sport compact influence, this S14 was all looks with a multi-tone paint job, lowered into the weeds and fit with huge wheels. This is a car show after all

This S15 Silvia is representative of a more modern D1 Street Legal drift car. It has the mandatory roll cage, some engine parts, body kit, minor lightening and stickers. You can’t forget the stickers

Option magazine had this S14 Nissan Silvia, fit with a set of white Blitz BRW Profile wheels

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