
18/06/2025
1965 Nissan Silvia CSP311 — Japan’s Handcrafted Elegance
Before drifting, before turbos, before the Silvia name became synonymous with sideways speed—there was this: the CSP311. The very first Nissan Silvia, and unlike anything Japan had ever produced at the time.
Launched in 1965 and based on the Datsun Fairlady platform, the CSP311 wasn’t just a sports coupe—it was a statement. A handcrafted, limited-production vehicle that showcased Nissan’s ambition to blend engineering with elegance. Each of the 554 units produced was built by hand, setting it apart in an era dominated by mass production.
Its body was penned by Kazuo Kimura, who gave the Silvia European-inspired styling—sharp lines, delicate proportions, and a poised coupe silhouette that wouldn't look out of place alongside an Alfa Romeo or Lancia. But make no mistake, this was a Japanese original—quietly confident, deeply refined, and refreshingly understated.
Under the hood sat a 1.6L inline-four engine, borrowed from the Fairlady, producing 96 bhp (72 kW)—modest by modern standards, but perfectly adequate for a lightweight coupe of its day. Mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox, the CSP311 was more about experience than raw speed. A nimble, balanced drive with the grace of a European GT and the precision of Japanese craftsmanship.
Inside, the Silvia felt bespoke. Wood-trimmed dash, bucket seats, detailed gauges—every element spoke of care and design. It wasn’t meant for the masses. This was an exclusive flagship, available only through special order in Japan, and never officially exported during its original run.
Though it didn’t set sales charts on fire, the CSP311 laid the foundation for one of Nissan’s most iconic bloodlines. From this elegant beginning would come legends like the S13, S14, and S15—cars that would define drifting and tuner culture decades later. But the CSP311 remains the Silvia’s purest form—unburdened by trends, timeless in design, and almost impossibly rare.
Owning one today? That’s not just owning a car. That’s owning the origin story of Japanese sports coupe excellence.
1965 Nissan Silvia CSP311 — Where beauty met beginnings.