The origins of what would eventually become the Sileighty was featured in the “TEST on ROAD” section of the August 1989 issue of San-eishobo’s “[[Option (car magazine)|Option]]” magazine. It was a complete car built by a shop in Tokyo based on a then-relatively new [[Automatic transmission|automatic-equipped]] 180SX with light tuning such as boost upgrades, onto which the front section of a Silvia was transplanted. At the time it was not yet called the “Sileighty” and was instead called the “Silvia 180SX”.
The origins of what would eventually become the Sileighty was featured in the “TEST on ROAD” section of the August 1989 issue of San-eishobo’s “[[Option (car magazine)|Option]]” magazine. It was a complete car built by a shop in Tokyo based on a then-relatively new [[Automatic transmission|automatic-equipped]] 180SX with light tuning such as boost upgrades, onto which the front section of a Silvia was transplanted. At the time it was not yet called the “Sileighty” and was instead called the “Silvia 180SX”.
[[File:InitialD Sileighty ImpactBlue.JPG|thumb|A [[scale model]] of a Sileighty based on its appearance in ”[[Initial D]]”]]
[[File:InitialD Sileighty ImpactBlue.JPG|thumb|A [[model]] of a Sileighty based on its appearance in ”[[Initial D]]”]]
Later, its appearance in Motor Magazine Co.’s biweekly automotive magazine “Holiday Auto”, the manga ”[[Initial D]]”<ref name=”bestcar” />, the video game series ”[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]”, and its commercialization as a toy car in [[Takara Tomy]]’s “[[Tomica (toy line)|Tomica]]” line{{efn|It was rarely released as a regular Tomica, mostly appearing as part of gift sets like those for Initial D. However, limited edition silver-plated versions, display models in the ‘Tomica Limited’ line, and single items were distributed in limited quantities. It was also released under the high-end ‘Tomica Premium’ brand.}} gave the car its popularity and recognition.
Later, its appearance in Motor Magazine Co.’s biweekly automotive magazine “Holiday Auto”, the ”[[Initial D]]”<ref name=”bestcar” /> the ”[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]” as a car in [[Takara Tomy]]’s “[[Tomica (toy line)|Tomica]]” line{{efn|It was rarely released as a regular Tomica, mostly appearing as part of gift sets like those for Initial D. However, limited edition silver-plated versions, display models in the ‘Tomica Limited’ line, and single items were distributed in limited quantities. It was also released under the high-end ‘Tomica Premium’ brand.}} gave the its popularity and recognition.
=== Kids Heart model ===
=== Kids Heart model ===
The Sileighty is a Japanese automobile and the common name for a vehicle created by combining the front section of a Nissan Silvia with the hatchback body of a Nissan 180SX.[a] It is known as a representative example of a modification commonly called a “front-end swap” (i.e. the act of replacing various parts that constitute the front of a car, such as the front bumper and headlamps, with those from a different model).
Originally, the name Sileighty was not an official model name but a common nickname, and the official name remained as 180SX. However, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. later registered it as a trademark (Registration Number 5118200), and “Sileighty” also exists as an official model name (see “Kids Heart model” below).
The name is a portmanteau of “Silvia” (the front half) and “180SX” (One-Eighty, the rear half). Conversely, the reverse is true for “Onevia“, which in this case is a portmanteau of “180SX” (One-Eighty, the front half) and “Silvia” (the rear half).
The origins of what would eventually become the Sileighty was featured in the “TEST on ROAD” section of the August 1989 issue of San-eishobo’s “Option” magazine. It was a complete car built by a shop in Tokyo based on a then-relatively new automatic-equipped 180SX with light tuning such as boost upgrades, onto which the front section of a Silvia was transplanted. At the time it was not yet called the “Sileighty” and was instead called the “Silvia 180SX”.
Later, its appearance in Motor Magazine Co.’s biweekly automotive magazine “Holiday Auto”, the Initial D anime and manga,[1] the Gran Turismo video game series, and as a model car in Takara Tomy‘s “Tomica” line[b] helped gave the Sileighty its popularity and recognition.
On May 1, 1998, the tuning shop “Kids Heart Co., Ltd. (Sileighty Business Division)” in Kitanagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, released a limited run of 500 new Sileighty vehicles, commissioned from a Nissan-affiliated dealer.[2] These were treated as genuine Nissan vehicles, not modified cars, and could be serviced at Nissan dealers nationwide. Standard equipment included NI lights, a fin-type grill, an Aero Form bumper, side steps, and “专用” logos (side and rear). Genuine options included a NISMO LSD. Five color options were offered: Yellow, Spark Silver Metallic, Midnight Purple Pearl, Super Black, and White.
While the Sileighty was originally merely a common name and the official name remained as 180SX, this model was the only one officially granted permission by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. to use the registered trademark, making it, in effect, an official “Sileighty” model.
The S13-chassis Nissan Silvia and 180SX, of which the parts of the Sileighty is based on
The S13 Silvia and the 180SX are different models but share the same chassis code “S13” and are sister cars sharing a basic structure. Consequently, part compatibility is high, making interchangeability relatively easy.[1]
The vehicle known as the Sileighty skillfully utilizes this characteristic. Its origin is said to be when a hashiriya (street racers in Japanese) damaged the front ends of their 180SX and thought, “Repairing the retractable headlights is expensive due to part costs, so why not use the front end from the more plentiful and cheaper sister car, the Silvia?” Another stated purpose was to remove the front-heavy retractable headlights to reduce front-end weight.[1]
The Silvia underwent a full model change in 1993 to the S14 type. However, factors like its increased width placing it in the larger “3-number” vehicle size classification meant its initial popularity was somewhat lacking. Many users who preferred the S13 type, when considering switching to the S14, also had the 180SX as an option, as it continued to be sold without a full model change and remained in the smaller “5-number” size. The Sileighty, allowing the 180SX to be modified to resemble the S13 Silvia’s design, gained popularity.[1]
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To create a Sileighty, the front-end exterior parts from an S13 Silvia—such as the bumper, fenders, hood, and headlamps (essentially everything forward of the A-pillar)—are transplanted onto a 180SX.[2] Because the Silvia has a shorter front overhang than the 180SX, the completed Sileighty’s overall length is reduced by about 4 cm compared to the original 180SX. Driving in this condition on public roads violates Article 67 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act (regarding inspection for changes to recorded matters on the vehicle inspection certificate and structural modifications).[3] Therefore, it is necessary to either undergo a structural modification inspection to obtain a new vehicle inspection certificate or install aero parts to extend the overall length and make it compliant. Note that since the body monocoque remains unaltered, it is not what is commonly known as a “nikoichi” (cut-and-welded) vehicle.
Conversely, there also exists a modified vehicle called the Onevia, which is based on the S13 Silvia but with the front section of a 180SX attached. While this model was never officially sold in its home region, it was officially sold in North America as the 240SX coupe, which used the 180SX/240SX front-end on an otherwise S13 Silvia coupe body.
_in_Petaling_Jaya,_Malaysia.jpg)
As mentioned, the Sileighty originally referred to a 180SX with the front end of an S13 Silvia (modified RPS13). However, vehicles combining the 180SX body with the front ends of the differently styled S14/S15 Silvia also exist.
Unlike the S13, these models have significantly different body structures from each other and the 180SX, requiring major modifications involving panel work. However, due to the popularity of the S13 and consequent demand, aftermarket parts manufacturers also sell conversion parts for creating these vehicles.[4]
- Nissan Silvia — Orignal notchback coupe model of the S13 generation, of which the front-end of the Sileighty is based on
- Nissan 180SX — Three-door hatchback model of the S13 generation, of which the middle and rear portion of the Sileighty is based on
- Nissan 240SX — North American version of the 180SX, of which its coupe body style for the S13 generation is based on the Onevia
- Initial D — Appears as the car driven by Impact Blue drivers Mako Sato and her navigator Sayuki during the first few chapters in the manga and in the First Stage anime
- Gran Turismo series — Appears as the unofficial model based on the one featured in Initial D in the first two games and as the Kids Heart version in later games
- Option — Features the original Sileighty from above as well as a parody vehicle called the “Nissan Cerueighty”, created by grafting the front end (from the A-pillar forward) of a Toyota Celsior (Japanese model of the Lexus LS 400) onto another car (a nikoichi), and appeared in Atsuno Arino’s manga “Kan Tōge”
- ^ Excluding official Kids Heart models
- ^ It was rarely released as a regular Tomica, mostly appearing as part of gift sets like those for Initial D. However, limited edition silver-plated versions, display models in the ‘Tomica Limited’ line, and single items were distributed in limited quantities. It was also released under the high-end ‘Tomica Premium’ brand.
