While the design core was the same as the original Silvia, the designer updated it to make way for an electric motor.
Matthew Weaver, Vice President of Nissan Design Europe, created this rendering for a modern Nissan Silvia. He was asked to imagine an automaker’s past in order to create an electric future. We love the fact that Nissan keeps the classics in its sights as it prepares for the future.
Weaver’s design is a direct inspiration from the first-gen Silvia. The original can be seen on the left side. The car was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show 1964, and it went on sale in the same year. It was semi-handbuilt and sat on the same chassis of the Datsun Fairlady 1600 SP311. The company produced only 554 units during the production run.
“The Silvia was a pioneer in its day, and it did so in a quiet, understated manner. It has lasted a long time and is still a popular choice for motorists today. It is also an excellent example of what is expected from a global product: high-quality and universally attractive,” Weaver stated.
The original design retained the sharp line that separated the upper and lower parts of the body. Weaver makes a slight modification to the design by having the fenders slightly touch the top of the wheel wells.
The front has small, round headlights. There is no grille because EVs require different cooling requirements. The back has tiny strips that serve as taillights and follow the line from the body.
In 1975, Nissan brought back the Silvia for a small sports coupe. For those looking for performance and affordability, the model was positioned below the Z car. This vehicle remained faithful to its original formula until Nissan discontinued it in Japan in 2002.
The Silvia name was never used by Nissan in the US. The model was still available in America under the 200SX, and later the 240SX monikers.