By Steve & Tamami Laser
Fans of the vintage Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R would love to put this classic in their garage. However, for those of us with more modest budgets, Nissan and Japan Post Co. Ltd. have joined forces and come up with the next best thing: A new sheet of collectible 2000 GT-R Japan (Nippon) postage stamps offered in a nifty boxed set complete with a scale model car.
The set contains one sheet of ten ¥52 stamps (above), a model car in a plastic case (we don’t know the scale of the car) and a colorful storage box (below). As a Nissan Official Licensed Product, only 3,000 sets will be offered.
We know what you’re thinking, and we have the same thought: “Can we order this set from the U.S. (or anywhere outside Japan)?” Unfortunately the answer is “No.” Unless you have relatives or friends who live in Japan and can do the ordering for you.
This original 1970 2000 GT-R “KPGC10” (above) is from Nissan’s press photo archive in Japan. It’s wearing authentic front fender mirrors, rear fender flares and stock wheels. As a testament to the classic understated design, this 45-year old coupe still looks incredibly attractive today and is coveted by Japanese car collectors worldwide.
This vintage image planned to be reproduced on a Japanese postage stamp shows a 1969 2000 GT-R on a track alongside Nissan’s 1967 R380 III race car. The PR/advertising photo was designed to help promote the racing heritage of Nissan’s new flagship sport sedan.
Another stamp wears this alternate view of the 1969 2000 GT-R, that appears to be from the same photo session way back in the seminal year when men first walked on the moon and the Beatles released their “Abbey Road” album. For Nissan fans, it marked the introduction of “PGC10” Skyline GT-R production.
According to the Nissan Heritage Collection, the “C10” Skyline was launched in July 1968. After debuting at the Tokyo Motor Show in the fall, the GT-R was launched in February 1969. The heart of the vehicle, the S20, is a descendant of the R380’s GR8, a high-performance DOHC inline 6-cylinder 24-valve engine. It was famed for its top speed of 200km/h and its ability to cover 400m from a standing start in 16.1 seconds. It achieved its debut win at the 1969 JAF Grand Prix.
Nissan says the new Skyline 2000 GT-R stamp set, including this scale model (above), is scheduled to go on sale August 18 at some 374 post office outlets of the Japan Post Co. South Kanto Branch in Kanagawa Prefecture. Nissan’s headquarters is located in Yokohama, Kanagawa.
News source and photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Products shown in this story are intended for the Japan market and are subject to change without notice.
Story (commentary) © 2015 CarNichiWa.com