In the early 1960s, Japanese cars weren't exactly known for their daring and/or elegant exterior styling, especially when compared to their European or American counterparts. In the development of design, Japanese car makers were considered one or two notches below the rest. Following the release of the prototype in Japan, Prince and Nissan produced the new car and called it the Skyline Sport. In the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit, the car fell short of its goal of winning the race, and encouraged Nissan to start on the Skyline GT project.