The Nissan Silvia Varietta is one of the rarest and most distinctive versions of the beloved S15, an Autech-built convertible with a clever retractable hardtop. This 2001 example is a genuine rarity: a factory five-speed manual, US-titled in Virginia, finished in Maui Blue Metallic. It is on Cars and Bids at $4,444 with six days to go.
Cars & Bids
What it’s worth right now
The Varietta occupies a niche corner of the S15 market. According to Classic.com and recent import listings, clean US-titled Variettas generally trade from around $16,000 into the mid $20,000s, well below the turbocharged Spec-R, which can reach far higher, but the Varietta’s rarity and unique hardtop give it genuine collector appeal, and the scarcer manual cars command a premium over the more common automatics.
Cars & Bids
This car’s rare manual transmission, US title, and desirable color support the upper part of that range. The corrosion and registration notes below are the main things to weigh. At $4,444 with six days remaining, the bidding is early and should climb toward the low $20,000s.
Condition and details
The car is a distinctive, mostly original example. It runs the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter SR20DE, rated at about 163 horsepower, through the scarcer factory five-speed manual, and it retains the Autech-built electric retractable hardtop, leather upholstery, and heated seats. Modifications are limited to 17-inch Volk Racing wheels, a Panasonic head unit, and a Japanese ETC reader, and the dealer took it to Monterey car week, driving it on Highway 1 and a parade lap at Laguna Seca.
Cars & Bids
The condition needs a close look. The seller discloses corrosion on the driver-side rocker panel, the trunk lid, and various underbody components, which is the main concern on an imported JDM car, so inspect the rust extent carefully. Cosmetically, there is peeled paint on the mirror mounts, curb rash, and front-seat wear with a tear on the driver’s bolster, and the head unit intermittently reboots.
Cars & Bids
Critically, the dealer states the car is currently not legal to register in California and, as an import, may not pass emissions in some states, so confirm you can register it where you live before bidding. The recent service is dealer-reported without documentation.
Cars & Bids
The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Nissan |
| Model | Silvia Varietta |
| Year | 2001 |
| Mileage | 84,000 miles |
| Engine | SR20DE 2.0-liter inline-four |
| Power | 163 hp and 141 lb.ft of torque |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drive type | Rear wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Maui Blue Metallic |
| Interior color | Black |
| Current bid | $4,444, with six days left |
Interested in this 2001 Nissan Silvia Varietta? View the listing here.
What makes the Varietta unique
The S15 Silvia is a JDM icon, beloved by enthusiasts, drifters, and collectors, but the Varietta is something different. Built by Autech, Nissan’s in-house tuning arm, it transformed the sleek Silvia coupe into a hardtop convertible with an electric retractable metal roof, a groundbreaking feature that let it switch from a handsome closed coupe to an open-top cruiser at the push of a button. Based on the naturally aspirated Spec-S, just 1,143 Variettas were produced over three years, and the majority were automatics, making a factory five-speed manual like this one genuinely scarce.
Cars & Bids
That combination of S15 style, a clever retractable hardtop, and extreme rarity is what makes the Varietta such a distinctive collectible. It is not the turbocharged drift weapon many associate with the Silvia name, but rather a stylish, unusual convertible that stands apart from anything else on the road, and one that will only get harder to find.
My take
This is a car for someone who values rarity and distinctiveness over outright pace. The Varietta is a genuinely unusual, well-engineered JDM convertible, and this one’s factory manual, US Virginia title, and Maui Blue color make it especially appealing to a collector who wants something nobody else has. Buy it for the style, the retractable roof, and the rarity, not for the modest naturally aspirated performance.
Fair value sits in the $16,000 to $26,000 range, most likely the low $20,000s, reflecting the rare manual and US title against the corrosion and cosmetic needs. Before bidding, inspect the rocker and underbody corrosion thoroughly, and above all confirm you can register it in your state, especially given the California limitation. Handle that, and you own one of the rarest and most distinctive S15 variants there is.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog