GLORIA

The Ultra-Rare Nissan Gloria

The trophy here would be the ultra-rare Nissan Gloria. It is, in fact, perhaps the only one of its kind on these shores, and how it found its way over from Japan is as interesting as the modifications that were done to the car after its arrival.

A Little History of the Nissan Gloria

Before introducing you to the owner, we’ll first give you a little history. Some will identify the four-door sedan as a Cedric, and they wouldn’t be far off, but the Gloria has a few key differences. The headlights and motor are different, and other touches like the interior lights in the headliner set the Gloria apart. In 1961 it was called the Skyline—no relation to the renowned former king of the Nürburgring and a few unofficial tracks. Originally produced by a company called Prince, it eventually merged with its competitor, the Cedric, in 1971. Currently, the majority of American owners reside in Japan. One of the cleanest models is for sale there, but there is a caveat; as the owner said, “Unless you know something I don’t, then don’t bother trying to get it into America.” Well, Tim Pasillas obviously knows something we do not.

Introducing Tim Pasillas, The Import Impresario

Our import impresario is only 23, so he was a serious young buck when he first laid eyes on a Gloria. He’s been repping JDM since he was only 17 when he first imported wheels and used body kits from Japan. Around the same time, he added a turbo to his Cressida, made a serious Supra, and even dominated in a domestic ’69 Chevelle. Then he took a few trips to Japan to visit his boy Kyoto with whom he had been exporting. Amidst his company, he first laid eyes on a Gloria, and during his trips to J-land, he had the essence of VIP ingrained thoroughly into him. He and his Far East friend would watch flicks from the past that portrayed the properties of VIP rigs going back as far as the late ’60s. Back then, it was as gangster as it appears today, which means that the menacing appearance of slammed sedans is not without heritage. Some say what helped to implement it was the notorious Japanese mafia, known as the Yakuza.

The Journey of the RHD Gloria to U.S. Soil

The real history of VIP style could be a completely separate story, but in the meantime, you need to know how this RHD Gloria found its way onto U.S. soil. “I had to flirt with the girl at customs,” Tim says. “The VIN is similar to that of a ’74, only two figures short.” Our juggernaut of JDM somehow swung the entry before his importer took over and picked up the car from the coastal convergence center.

The Gloria’s Unique Upgrades and Modifications

“What is that? A BMW with a really bad body kit?” came the comment from a local who was scoping out our recent photo shoot. The Asian accompaniment to Tim at the shoot was less than offended at the comment, knowing that it only validated the utter coolness of all things JDM.

Even though the upgrades to the Gloria are relatively minor compared to motors normally found in HCI, they still stand out. The stance is slammed like a WHF villain thanks to coilovers from JIC (fore) and GAB (aft). We had to know how the rims tucked like blankets at bedtime. “The baseball technique” was all Tim would say.

The VIP Junction Produce Kit

That “really bad body kit” is a VIP Junction Produce kit that required the fitment of 11 different pieces. While the pundits might think—as did many at HIN’s VIP show—that the kit makes the car look like an E36 Bimmer, those in the know realize that this is a rare bird. Mirrors from a Kouki model, meaning the newer ’93-’94 model, keep the Rowland Heights Rogers in check as the Gloria scrapes through the side streets like an out-of-place snowplow. The TV antennae protruding from the C-pillars prove that this ride has the dangerous demeanor of a dragonfly.

Tim’s Future Plans for the Nissan Gloria

Tim acquired these coveted items through his own company, Bippu10, as he did the rolling stock. These 18-inch SSR Vienna Kreis wheels measure 9.5 inches wide out back and are 1/2 inch narrower up front, and they tuck like Chuck.

The turbo-four is stock at present except for an AFC, but not for long. Tim has big plans for the motor, including a turbo upgrade in addition to porting and flowing the head so that it will complement the exhaust from Team S-SST HRS.

The Gloria: Beyond JDM

We’ve all seen Integras converted to RHD. In the same vein, Skylines with the shifter on the left are nothing new, but this Gloria is beyond JDM. It’s an illegal immigrant with nothing but top-secret intentions. Keep an eye out for Tim and his venomous VIP throughout next season’s show tour as this Gloria is preparing to ascend to true glory.