
does not have a car model that starts with 'sp', but it does have one that starts with 'S', which is the Nissan Sunny. Introduction to the Nissan Sunny: The Sunny series of Nissan has a long history. Since the first Sunny was introduced in Japan in 1966, Nissan has comprehensively updated the model design nine times. The new model of Nissan Sunny: The all-new Sunny, developed in 2005, is a fashionable sedan with a more stylish and dynamic design, making it highly attractive. Its championship pedigree engine ensures powerful and smooth driving performance. The elegant and comfortable interior space, along with comprehensive electronic features, further meets the needs of modern young white-collar workers and private business owners.

I still remember being instantly captivated the first time I saw that white sports car on the streets of Tokyo, only later learning it was Nissan's iconic Silvia from the SP series. We veteran car enthusiasts affectionately call it the 'Flying Chicken', with the S15 version leaving the most lasting impression. Evolving from the 1960s SP310 to the 1990s S15, it remained the benchmark for compact rear-wheel-drive sports cars. I particularly adore its pop-up headlight design - they look especially charming when illuminated at night. Although discontinued now, it remains highly sought-after in the market; my friend spent 300,000 yuan acquiring an S15 last year. Modding enthusiasts often say this is the perfect Japanese car for drift beginners - its lightweight body paired with rear-wheel-drive layout means even minor modifications can deliver tremendous fun on the track.

As a track enthusiast who frequently modifies cars, I've owned five SP-series Silvias. I've disassembled and reassembled every model from S13 to S15, all with chassis codes prefixed by SP. The stock SR20DET engine only produces 250 horsepower, but it has tremendous tuning potential. I remember easily surpassing 400 horsepower after installing a larger turbo on my S14, and the transmission proved remarkably durable. The rear-wheel-drive layout makes the tail particularly lively - just a slight throttle input in corners will induce drift. Nowadays, six out of every ten cars in Tokyo drift competitions are modified Silvias, and the aftermarket parts scene is well-developed. These older cars are actually quite robust; my S13 ran over 200,000 kilometers without needing major engine repairs.

Back in the 1990s when we were into cars, the Silvia with SP prefix was the undisputed king of the streets. At that time, the money for an S13 could only buy half a Honda Accord, yet it delivered far superior performance. I still remember Friday nights at the foot of Mt. Akina filled with the roar of modified Silvias, their taillights painting red trails through the corners. The trendiest mod back then was installing Rocket Bunny widebody kits on the front bumpers and lowering the suspensions to the extreme. Occasionally you can still spot well-maintained S15s on the road today - their flowing rooflines remain timeless. Though modern EVs accelerate faster, that raw mechanical driving pleasure has become a thing of the past.

Studying Nissan's chassis codes reveals that models starting with SP generally refer to the Silvia series. From a technical perspective, the independent multi-link rear suspension adopted from the S13 onwards delivers exceptionally precise handling. With a near-perfect front-to-rear weight distribution of 52:48, it can perform beautiful drifts even in stock condition. What I admire most is its engine layout - the longitudinally mounted SR20DET engine allows easy access to the turbo during . The cooling system piping is exceptionally well-designed, preventing overheating even during continuous mountain runs in summer. Although the chassis uses ordinary steel materials, the reinforcement ribs at critical points are thoroughly executed. As any track day enthusiast knows, the stock brake calipers are sufficient for competition use with just upgraded pads.

When I first got into car modifications, I couldn't distinguish between all the model codes either. After doing some research, I learned that SP refers to Silvia's naming system. This series started with the SP310 in 1964, with the latest being the S15 in 2002. I'd recommend newcomers to focus on the S14 and S15 versions as parts are relatively easier to find. You can visit racetracks on weekends - most Silvias with sponsor decals are modified ones. Occasionally, you might find stock Silvias on used car platforms, typically priced between 100,000 to 250,000 yuan. Honestly, buying a well-maintained stock car and modifying it gradually is much less hassle than getting a heavily modified one directly.


