1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32

Highlights

• Extensively modified recent import
• Imposing Pandem wide-body kit
• 11,793Km on the clock
• Quality aftermarket enhancements from HKS, Blitz and Défi
• Iconic 2.6-litre twin-turbocharged powertrain
• Highly collectible and increasingly desirable

Overview

There are many cars that need no introduction. But few can elicit the kind of passion and enthusiasm as the original monster from Japan: Godzilla. We are, of course, talking about the Skyline GT-R. More specifically, the eighth generation ‘R32’ model that absolutely dominated Japan’s Touring Car Championship for four years from 1990 to 1993, racking up 29 victories and not a single defeat.

That’s a frankly incredible achievement, and testament to just how stupendous the performance was (and remains) from Nissan’s four-wheel drive behemoth. It beggars belief that Nissan managed to produce a four seat coupé with a six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged engine and four wheel drive that somehow clocked in under 1,500Kg, was affordable for average folk and would easily show a period supercar a clean pair of heels. Yet they did it.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the RB26DETT – one of the all-time great engines. Robust, hugely powerful and extremely responsive to tuning, in standard trim it delivered 276hp (and if you believe that, you’ll believe anything). Light fettling will see it deliver usable and reliable returns up to 600hp without too much trouble. These days, folks are getting way north of 1,000hp from them on a regular basis.

Which brings us to the striking and enigmatic machine before you. Recently imported, choicely modified and possessed of the kind of wide-body that makes it look like that Thor in car form, and presented in very fine condition, to say we love this car would be a huge understatement. While we appreciate that everyone has the right to an opinion and their own tastes, we can’t help but feel that if a gorgeous, wide-body R32 like this doesn’t stir your soul, then you might be on the wrong website. And you’re probably a bit dead inside.

Look, we don’t make the rules, that’s just the way things are, okay?

History and documentation 

• Purchased by the vendor from Prestige Automotive (who imported the car) about six months ago
• Unfortunately, Prestige Automotive lost the car’s paperwork history
• It’s clear the car has been comprehensively rebuilt in its recent history, both aesthetically and mechanically
• 11,793Km on the clock
• Buyers should be aware that the car does not currently have an MOT

Interior

• Original 2+2 seating, finished in two-tone grey cloth and in displayed here in very good order with no notable wear, no sagging and no tears we could discern
• The door cards and headlining all present well, with no sagging, big scuffs and damage on show
• Dark grey carpeting runs through the cabin, complemented with black floor mats, all of which looks to be well preserved with no threading or staining
• We love the black leather of the steering wheel, as well as the handbrake and gearshift gaiters, which is neatly highlighted with contrast red stitching
• Electrically operated windows and door mirrors
• Air conditioning
• All of the switchgear and controls look to be present, correct and in nice condition, with no signs of excessive wear
• We’re told that all the instruments work just as they should
• The car is such a fresh import that it is still fitted with a double-DIN JDM head unit
• The vendor tells us that everything in the cabin works just as it should, with no issues they are aware of
• In the front passenger footwell, there is the requisite JDM warning flare mounted, as well as the aftermarket HKS ECU
• The instrument binnacle has been augmented with a brace of high quality Défi analogue gauges which monitor water temperature and boost pressure
• There is also a HKS EVC IR 2.4 Electronic Boost Controller fitted, with a full colour LCD screen, offering the driver comprehensive control over the car’s driving modes
• At the rear, there is a commodious boot space, trimmed in grey carpeting which all looks very neat and tidy

Exterior

• Finished in Gun Grey Metallic paintwork, this R32 certainly cuts a dash on the roads, the paint presenting in very good condition with a nice gloss and no significant blemishes or marks we could identify
• A Pandem wide-body kit has been fitted, and looks to have been very well executed with neat panel gaps and very good alignment
• The wide-body kit includes significantly widened arches all round, as well as a uniquely profiled front lip, rear spoiler and side skirts
• As far as we can see, all of the bodywork looks to be in lovely condition, with crisp lines and no dents or corrosion to worry about
• We did notice one tiny patch of corrosion in the corner of the driver’s door jamb, but this looks like it will be relatively simple to correct
• All of the glass, apart from the windscreen, is tinted and smoked wind deflectors have been fitted to the side windows
• The original 16-inch wheels have been upgraded to 19-inch split-rim, deep-dish six-spokes that are 11-inches wide all round
• Shimmering black paint adorns the wheels, with polished rim bolts offering a jewellery-like shimmer – all are in very fine condition and are shod with a matched set of Yokohama Advan Sport tyres
• Underneath, the car looks to be in very good order, with straight floor pans and sills, and just the lightest smatter of surface corrosion to a few suspension components
• All of the badging, light lenses and glass elements look to be present, correct and undamaged, with no cracking, warping, chipping or fading apparent

Mechanical

• Iconic RB26DETT powertrain – 2.6-litre inline-six, twin-turbo
• ATTESA E-TS electronically controlled torque-split 4WD system, ensuring optimal torque is sent to whichever wheel needs it
• Advanced independent multilink suspension all round
• Factory performance figures of 276hp / 260lb-ft (okay Nissan, you big fibbers you)
• Robust and engaging manual transmission
• Very clean engine bay, with no evidence of leaks or other issues
• We’re told by the vendor that the car can lose charge a little quicker than a standard car, as a smaller battery had to be fitted to make way for the larger HKS alloy overflow can
• Vented disc brakes all round, with Brembo calipers
• We’re told that the car is running the stock power-steering set-up, which means the steering can be a little heavy due to the wide wheels
• Aftermarket stainless steel exhaust system with large, single pipe back box
• Various performance modes, thanks to multiple switchable engine maps
• Uprated HKS induction kit with hard pipes and uprated silicon joiners
• HKS F-Con Pro Gold ECU
• Blitz performance alloy radiator
• We’re assure by the vendor that the car starts, stops, goes and handles just as you’d expect, with no mechanical issues noted
• Delicious noise, brutal performance and exclamations of “good grief, that’s rapid” included free of charge…

Summary

Just in case it isn’t clear already, we adore this car. It is magnificent and we would very much like to keep it all to ourselves, please and thank you. Beautifully finished, tastefully and carefully modified and presented in a cracking specification, it’s sure to draw admiring glances and breathless exclamations wherever it goes.

For anyone with even a passing interest in performance machinery, the R32 is the stuff of legend. It’s up there with the likes of other blue-collar performance heroes like the Sierra RS500 and the E30 M3 – vehicles that dominated the track as well as the city streets and bewitched a generation. It’s a thrilling and dynamic machine that’s worthy of a place in any collection, no matter how exclusive.

Put it this way: if Batman was from Tokyo, this would be his daytime ride. Well, you know what they say – if you have the choice, always be Batman.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.