1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R VSpec

At a Glance:

+  Rare unmodified example
+  Only 1,500km covered in 14 years
+  2 UK owners
+  Recommissioning works in 2020

Whilst the term icon is thrown around far too often, there would be a very short line of individuals who'd argue the Skyline isn't one. As the brainchild of a manufacturer who was better known for simple shopping cars in the UK, little was known about the monster that was the R32. All that changed with the introduction of Gran Turismo on the Playstation. Suddenly, a number of relatively unknown Japanese sports cars were thrust into the limelight with all sorts of weird and wonderful specifications; twin turbos, straight 6 and V6 engines, big normally aspirated V8s and even rotary engines – a helping of automotive heaven for all tastes.

This R34 GTR has only covered approximately 1,500km in the past 14 years

Gran Turismo may have brought the Skyline – or 'Godzilla' as it was affectionately known – to new heights, but the Fast and Furious movie franchise was about to take it into the stratosphere. Importers were hounded with requests for cars, hoovering up every good R32 and R33 they could. Nissan themselves noticed the surge in interest and decided to officially import 80 R34s into the UK. These were adapted for European use by the fitment of oil coolers for the engine, gearbox and the AWD's transfer box. The engine ECU was replaced, there was a multi-function display fitted giving readouts for boost pressure, exhaust and intake manifold air temperature and even injector delivery. The finishing touch to the interior added Connolly leather-trimmed seats and all 80 sold out almost immediately.

Power came from the now-famous RB26DETT 2.6-litre twin-turbo straight-six, in its third iteration and a host of upgrades over its predecessor including ceramic turbos running ball-race bearings that helped increase torque to 289lb-ft. Power was officially capped at 276bhp – a gentleman's agreement between Japanese car manufacturers at the time – however, it is understood the car actually produced north of 300bhp.

Due to the car's original motorsport-centric design, vast amounts of power were only a few tweaks away; 350-400bhp is easily achievable, while the engine can reportedly produce up to three times that and because of their giant-killing status, finding an unmolested example is becoming increasingly difficult. Here at PaddlUp, we are delighted to offer this particular car – a 1999 R34 GT-R V-SPEC – in original and unmodified condition.

Being a V-Spec it is a slightly upgraded version of the base GT-R. Which features an upgraded ATTESA E-TS Pro (the four-wheel drive system) alongside an Active rear LSD, as opposed to mechanical found in a base model. The V.Spec also has stiffer suspension, a new front splitter and rear diffuser.

Supplied new in Japan, March 1999 with stunning Black Pearl (GV1) paint, the car was specified with rear wiper, privacy glass, rear fog light, glove box light and multi-function display with additional gauges and Nav/TV/stereo. The car was then imported into the UK in April 2008 and stored until its first MOT and UK registration in late 2009. Following very limited use on UK roads (only used until the original 6 month's road fund licence expired) the car was subsequently garaged until it was purchased by the current owner in 2013. It then spent the next 7 years in the current owner's personal indoor storage. Following the sale of these premises, the car was then moved to a nearby specialist car storage facility. As a result, this R34 GTR has only covered approximately 1,500km in the past 14 years and the current owner has now decided to sell rather than continue to store the car.

We understand the car experienced a malfunctioning instrument cluster prior to it’s UK registration and was replaced with an identical used NISMO unit. The replacement unit showed 31,388km less than the original and currently reads a total of 88,900km, meaning the car has officially covered a total of 120,288km / 74,744 miles.

In November 2020, the car was subject to recommissioning work which included a new Bosch battery, a full service including changing all oils and filters using premium products, a new Dayco cambelt, cambelt tensioner and water pump, a new rocker cover gasket, new front brake discs and pads, new ignition coil packs, and NGK spark plugs. The car was then fitted with the correct Bridgestone Potenza 245/40R18 tyres in February 2021 which are obviously still as new.

The original Nissan jack and tools are all still present in the boot along with the original unused space-saver spare wheel. The dashboard also still retains its original JDM stereo and it has become extremely rare to find an R34 GTR still in such original unmodified specification.

This particular car will be eligible for USA import in early 2024 and would make a fantastic potential investment opportunity, as well as a stunning stablemate to any car collection.