When Nissan had several FR turbo powered cars such as the Silvia and the 180SX, 180SX drivers bought them for drifting. However when learning to drift through the touge (Pronounced "Toe-Gay"), accidents do happen resulting in damaged front ends. The front end parts of Silvias were less expensive than the 180SX with pop up lights, and sharing the same platform the parts bolted on without many complicated steps. Nissan realised this trend, and built a 180sx with a Silvia front end. Literally a SILvia oneEIGHTY. Nissan kept production of the SilEighty low key owing to it's street racing roots and took the press by suprise when it was launched in mid 1994. It is said that just 400 SilEighty's were built.
To separate the SilEighty from the botch jobs made at home Nissan added 24bhp through hotter cams and ecu tweeks. The suspension was modified, resulting in a very hard rear setup to snap oversteer to enable drifting through series of tight turns. The rarity value of a Drift car from the factory, and the Initial D series hightening awareness, ensure the SilEighty carries a premium selling for around the same price as an R32 Skyline GTR.
Another variation on the Silvia platform was the Onevia, with the 180sx front end and Siliva rear.
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