For sale: 1988 Silhouette GTS1 (SVD) R31 Skyline Nissan

This section of the guide provides a snapshot of the race and rally achievements of the 180B SSS,  focusing mainly on Australian events. The 180B’s performance on the race and rally track was competitive, but it faced plenty of quality competition at the time from many other manufacturers.  Also worth mentioning is the fact that Datsun was quite busy racing many other variants such as the highly successful 160J (Violet), the 240/260z, and the 240K.

Below we’ve listed a number of events and results from the 180Bs race and rally career, and in the gallery we’ve included a mash of images from some of these events (as labeled):

1. Bathurst 1000 (Hardie Ferodo 1000)

The 180 B SSS competed in Class “B” (1300cc – 2000cc), against vehicles such as the Ford Escort and Alfa Romeo GTV and GT Junior, and the Mazda RX3. In 1973, the 180B SSS finished 14th outright (4th in its class behind the Alfa GTV, Mazda RX3 and Twin-Cam Escort). In 1974, unfortunately the 180B entry was a DNF.

2. Southern Cross Rally

The 180B SSS competed every year from 1972 through to 1977. Its best result was 3rd place in 1975, 4th place in 1972 and 1974, and 6th place in 1973.

3. Repco Reliability trials – 1979

Although conducted some years after the 180B SSS was discontinued, it competed in this rally and achieved 10th place out of 69 entrants.

4. 1973 East African Safari Rally

The 180B SSS finished fourth and 12th outright, with 4th position giving the SSS a class win.

5. 1977 London to Sydney Rally

The 180B SSS finished the rally in 18th place (out of 47 entrants), completing the rally in 89 hours, 29 minutes and 21 seconds.

6. 1974 Bandama Rally (Rallye du Bandama)

The 180B SSS finished the rally 2nd outright. Impressively, two 180Bs finished the rally (placing 2nd & 3rd and ahead of a 240Z in 5th). Astonishingly, just 6 cars finished the rally. There were a total of 45 vehicles that retired from the rally (including 3 other 180B SSS hardtops). A great video of the 1974 Bandama rally is available on youtube here.