How best to explain this...

I’ll start with the basics - Model Designations.

180SX: First sold in Japan in 1988 as a fastback version of the S13 Silvia. I originally thought that the Australian market also received this car, but I've been told other wise. I believe the production run finally ended last year in 1998.

• The number, 180 was a reference to the 1.8 liter CA18DET engine that was the only power plant offered in the beginning. Soon after their introduction into the market though, 180SXes were offered with the 2.0 liter SR20DET that is still very popular and widely used throughout Nissan’s entire product line. All 180SXes were turbo-charged and intercooled until the middle of 1996 when the Type-S was made available.
• In design, the 180SX is more wedge-shaped than its sister car the Silvia, which was introduced slightly earlier. The 180SX is distinguished from the Silvia by its sloping front; including pop-up headlights and aerodynamic, wrap-around, glass hatchback.
• Other than some different front bumper skins and the last model’s circular taillights ala Skyline, the styling of the 180SX has changed very little, and remains popular among enthusiasts around the world even to this day.

Silvia: A name that was used exclusively in Japan. It is still used today as the current designation of the new S15 in Japan.

• Probably made most popular starting with the S13 line; the Silvia name was actually used by Nissan as far back as 1964. Check out Dave Sayers’ Silvia web site for pictures of some past Silvias.
• As with the 180SX, the S13 Silvia was originally offered with the 1800cc CA-series motor, but buyers had a choice between NA (normally aspirated) and turbo-charged versions. Again like the 180SX, Silvia’s were soon offered with 2.0 liter SR-series motors, NA and turbo as options.
• The design of the Silvia has always been a coupe. The Silvia has fixed headlights up front, and a trunk in back rather than a hatch. S14s beginning around 1997 have slightly restyled lights in the back, and more agressive, slimmer head lights up front. For pictures, go to the SHOWROOM. The minor change in S14 models may have happened at different times depending on which country you live in. In the US, '97 models were the first to have the new look. Although the styling of the new S15 is quite different than past Silvias’, the layout remains basically the same.

200SX: The name with which both S13s and S14s have been sold in Europe. Australia only received S14s and S15s, but never officially S13s. Despite the fact that 200SXes were unappreciated by sports car consumers in Europe, it appears that several countries now officially sell the S15 200SX.
I'd like to take a second to thank Steve Lamb, Sigbjørn Kongsli, and Brad Johnson for providing me with clarification about 200SXes.

• I had previously thought that the number 200 was also a reference to the motor, but I've been notified by several individuals living in Europe that this wasn't the case with S13 200SXes. S13s were only available with the 1.8 liter CA-series motors, as opposed to the 2.0 liter SR-series motors. Why Nissan in Europe chose to use the designation, 200SX, as opposed to 180SX, remains a mystery to me.
• I'm told that Australia never got an S13 model, but both Europe and Australia received the S14.
• I learned from readers that all S14s in Australia are turbo charged models.
• I have also heard that all S13s in Europe were powered by CA18DET engines. NA engines weren't available.
• I’m still uncertain about available styling configuations of Euro S13 200SXes, but I believe that they were only available as a hatchback with pop-up headlights, as opposed to the coupe version with fixed headlights sold as the Silvia in Japan. That is until the S13 was replaced by S14.

Note: Only Japan ever sold S13 and S14 models side by side.
240SX: In America, this name is similar to the European 200SX badge, in that it is the name used for both the S13 and S14 as they were sold in our market. That is, “…WERE sold here.” Did I say unappreciated in Europe? Sales of, and enthusiasm for 240s was so weak here in the US, that the model was pulled all together in 1998. One possible reason could have been because Nissan decided to equip our 240s with the truck-based normally aspirated KA-series motor. They say it was to keep the car’s insurance rating low, but I think that some idiot got too excited at the chance to connect this car with the 240Z of the past.

• The 240SX was first sold in 1989. Until 1991, it was powered by the tough, but unaspiring KA24E. Notice the absence of the “D”. The valve train featured a single cam and only 12 valves. Thanks Nissan! *grumble-grumble* 1991 to 1998 models all featured the same 16 valve DOHC KA24DE with the exception of some small differences. Force injected fun of any sort was never available to American buyers.
• S13 240Sxes were available as both hatchbacks and coupes, but all had pop-up headlights. 1994 saw the availability of a convertible model, a novel option which to my knowledge, was enjoyed solely by Americans. I’ll trade for the option of an SR20DET any day!
• 1995 was the year that the S14 replaced the S13. Nissan tried to market it here as a “baby luxo coupe”, while other countries were enjoying the turbo-charged fun of a “baby Skyline” in their S14s.

(can you tell that I’m a little pissed at Nissan USA’s choice of engines?)
The following unique models listed here are custom creations. There are undoubtedly more than what I’m familiar with, as they’re existence is limited only by the imaginations and bank accounts of enthusiasts.

• Sil-80. A 180SX with the front of an S13 Silvia.
• Sil-1480 is the same conversion but using the front of an S14 Silvia. Both S14 and S14a front ends have been used.
• Sil-1580. You guessed it! A 180SX with the front of an S15 Silvia grafted on of course.
• Cef-80. Here’s one that uses the same principal, but a different front end. Ever heard of a Cefiro? It’s a Nissan sedan in Japan that’s a bit larger than the 180 and Silvia and is powered by an RB20DET if I’m not mistaken. The Cef-80 is a Cefiro up front and a 180SX in the rear.

Here is a table detailing chassis designations to the best of my knowledge. If you know of any factory born discrepancies, please e-mail me.