Brief history

(Blended sentences and content courtesy of Wikipedia and own-research at wreckers/auto-forums)

The Altima (pronounced ALL-teemah) is a mid-size car currently still being manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan (4th generation), and is arguably a continuation of the "bloodline" that began with the Nissan Bluebird in 1957.
The Altima name was originally a trim line of the Nissan Laurel mid-size car sold in the Caribbean before 1992. In 1993, Nissan discontinued its much-criticized Stanza compact car, replacing it with the US-made Altima, originally as a compact car. The very first Altima rolled off the assembly line on June 15, 1992 as a 1993 model. Until June 2004, all Altimas had been built in Smyrna, Tennessee. However, in June 2004, Nissan's Canton, Mississippi, plant began producing additional Altimas to meet high demand.
The Altima has had four design generations: 1993 to 1997, 1998 to 2001, 2002 to 2006, and 2007 to the present.

The first, the pioneer, the grandfather of the new generation Altimas.

The original 1993 Altima was a rebadged Japanese-market Nissan Bluebird. The official name of the car was the Nissan "Stanza Altima", and the trunklid had a sticker reading "Stanza" in stylized lettering. It had various trims, and depending on the country where it was exported to. It is known that, it was exported to some countries, as early as 1991.
Trim levels were XE, GXE, SE, and GLE. The sporty SE had a stiffer suspension and rear spoiler.
It came with either the KA24DE or the SR20DE/T depending on the market. Some markets are also known to have 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre (perhaps the SR18DE) capacity.
These engines are capable of developing approximately 140-160 hp (SR20DE/KA24DE) up to 210 hp (SR20DET).
The Japanese Altima (Bluebird) built on the same U13 chassis was equipped with the more powerful SR20DET engine, all-wheel drive (featuring Nissan's Attesa torque transfer system) and other cutting-edge features like anti-lock brakes, a heads-up display (HUD) and featured a larger front bumper with a cutout for the front-mounted intercooler. Both manual and automatic transmissions were made available at the time. The flywheel featured on these cars was a 9.5 inch unit vs. the 8.5 inches on other models. Other extra goodies would be the rear wiper for the rear windscreen, sunroof among others.

The outlook for the JDM is also different. The most obvious would be the front bumpers.
Series 0 is the standard bumper, and some versions come with lip, specifically the AUDM/NZDM SSS and HNU13 SR20DE 4WD (n/a version) and Navan-edition models.

Series 1 is the standard turbo bumper, and some versions come with lip, the HNU13 SR20DET 4WD (turbo version)

And Series 2 is the version 2 bumper, and some versions do come with lip too. Depending on markets, some 1.6 & 1.8-litre also uses the same bumper whilst the so-called HNU13 SR20DET 4WD "blacktop" would sport the same facelift with a lip as optional accessory.
Not to mention some trims for USDM Altimas.

There are two types of grilles, the standard ones and the lower spec-ed model for some markets. The lower spec-ed also comes in chrome option (1.6/1.8-litre).

So far, the variations of the U13 could be recognized from its unique Chassis ID code.
From U13, E-U13, P-U13, S-U13, H-U13, HN-U13

The 1.6-litre (GA16DS) come with 2WD (FF) option, but the 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre n/a and Turbocharged (both Petrol & Diesel CD20) comes with the 4WD option. The highest end (luxury spec) for the Japanese market (and some export) would be the 2WD (FF) with 2.4-litre (KA24DE) engine.

The variation does not include the trim levels for ARX, which also comes in many specs.

Bodykit options can be summarized as below, difference is quite mild, and side skirt design is retained for ALL series:

Series 1 lip + side skirt + Series 1 endcaps + Series 1 spoiler (3 legs)

Series 2 lip + side skirt + Series 2 endcaps + Series 2 spoiler (2 legs)

Stock lip + side skirt + Series 1 endcaps and Series 1 spoiler (3 legs)

There are also local-made spoilers, possibly fabricated by local distributors (MDM, NZDM) where the spoilers are slightly of different design.

Nissan Altima
(Bluebird U13 in some countries)
The "Dugong"

My daily-driven machine, to and from work.

Current Specs:

1. Stock, Top-overhauled, with some "secret recipe" SR20DE engine with 4-speed auto transmission + OD function - Draggable, 1-2-D with OD off-D with OD on. LoL.
With "breathing" enhancements to free up few horses - Jasma-approved JDM 4-2-1 extractor, custom piping and exhaust system, BNR33 (GT-R) fuel pump, etc.
Running on Motul Fully-Synthetic Engine Food.
2. All round disk brakes, HNU13 Twinpot caliper and 280mm ventilated rotor for the front and HU13 single pot solid 260 mm for the rear.
3. Enkei RS 15" offset 32, 15 x 6.5jj (OE ATTESA wheel has an offset of 45, 15 x 6 jj) with 205/60/R15 Yokohama ES100 & Bridgestone Playz PZ-1 tyres.
4. JDM HNU13 SR20DET 4WD TURBO Coil Spring + Paraut Gas-type Absorbers on all four corners
5. JDM Nissan Bluebird ARX HU13 3-legged Rear Spoiler (removed)
6. JDM Nissan Bluebird HNU13 4WD n/a or SSS Front Lower Lip (for stock spec bumper)
7. JDM Nissan Skyline R32 GTS-t Side Skirts (project aborted)
8. JDM HNU13 ATTESA Side Skirts
9. JDM PU13/SU13/Version 2/GXE USDM grille
10. JDM PU13/USDM U13 2-legged spoiler (removed)
11. JDM/AUDM HNU13 Rear End Caps
12. JDM HNU13 ATTESA 3-legged Rear Spoiler with Clear LEDs
13. JDM HNU13 ATTESA Series 1 Bumper + Series 1 Lower Lip
14. JDM HNU13 ATTESA Rear Glass with Wiper and Washer

15. AUDM Glass 2-piece Headlights and USDM clear indicator Taillights

16. JDM U13 Weathershields/Door Visors all corners

17. Ultra Racing 3-point front tower strutbar (removed)

18. Pivot Raizin Voltage Stabilizer and Grounding kit

19. JDM HNU13 Series 2 Bumper with Series 2 Lip (spare)

Cruising Videos:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV81BSKULso
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_SptXbE7dc

Pages Summary

Page 1: History, Latest Photos & Summary
Page 2: Exterior Shots and Upgrades
Page 3: Interior Shots and Upgrades
Page 4: Engine, Powertrain, System Shots and Upgrades
Page 5: Other Parts, Extra Parts, Spare Parts & Goodies
Page 6: Future Upgrade Plans
Page 7: Other shots
Page 8: There's none