For many Skyline enthusiasts the R34 GT-R is the ultimate incarnation of the breed, and with Nissan dropping the Skyline moniker for the R35 GT-R it can certainly lay claim to being the ultimate Skyline GT-R. Launched in Japan in late 1998 the R34 featured more aggressive styling, a 75mm shorter body shell, a larger rear spoiler and improved handling over the R33. Most examples were manufactured for the Japanese market, but the Skyline GT-R was officially imported into the UK from August 1999 onwards.
Bayside Blue still super desirable
The same 2.6-litre twin-turbocharged engine was employed but with major revisions including Garrett ceramic turbos and an alloy head. Officially power was rated at 280hp but the real figure was much closer to 320hp; the 0-62mph dash took just 4.8 seconds.
Nissan's HICAS four-wheel steering combined with a revised version of the R33's ATTESA-ETS PRO four-wheel drive system to direct exactly the right amount of torque to whichever axle needed it, whilst the interior features a dashboard LCD display delivering real-time information such as turbo boost, throttle opening, injector pressure, oil and water temperatures and even front/rear torque split. Faster and better-handling than the R33, turbo lag was also reduced, and a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox made for swifter gear changes.
A sophisticated multi-link suspension was employed boasting uprated anti-roll bars and coil springs. Harder-edged V-Spec models were fitted with stiffer suspension, underbody diffusers to increase downforce (fitted to official UK cars), an active rear limited-slip diff and extra functions on the digital multi-function display. Japanese-market M-Spec models provided a slightly more pliant ride, whilst retaining the car's impressive handling. Nissan UK also fitted larger Brembo brakes.
Nissan imported the R34 exclusively through Middlehurst Motorsport in Lancashire. Priced at £54,000, and boasting a full Connolly leather interior, UK-market Skylines also had three additional oil coolers and revised ECU mapping, plus the full backup of a comprehensive three-year/60,000-mile warranty.
A view familiar to so many
As well as the V-Spec and M-Spec models the Japanese market also saw a V-Spec II with a carbon fibre bonnet, a stripped out GT-R N1 with a blueprinted engine, a V-Spec Nur, a V-Spec Nur II plus the NISMO variants: R-, S- and Z-Tune GT-Rs. Production of the R34 Skyline GT-R finally ended in 2002, although NISMO continued to build very limited numbers of bespoke tuned Z-Tune models until 2005.
Buyers should watch out for misbehaving four-wheel steering, any knocking from the engine, noisy timing belts, blockages in the cooling system, missing service history, and any signs whatsoever of rust. You'll need to have deep pockets too - Glass's see R34s making anything from £40,000 to over £100,000 today, but if you can afford it the R34 is the most desirable GT-R to buy: "The ultimate in RB26DETT engine technology, electronic controls and 10 years of refining all went into this model," Dave Warrener emphasizes.
Currently sitting at the very top of many collectors' lists, R34 values have risen sharply over the last year. Limited Edition models like the R1, N1 and S1 are now £70,000-plus, whilst the mighty Z-Tune 2.8 can easily fetch upwards of £300,000. Once you've bought your R34 we recommend you leave it in a hermetically-sealed garage and never take it on track: "Only 80 official UK cars were ever imported and the R34 is expensive to repair and heavy on consumables," confirms Andy Middlehurst.
Buy if: you've got serious cash and want an appreciating asset
Don't buy if: you are looking for a track car or a base for serious tuning
We found: 2001 Silver Grey GT-R V-Spec II, service history, 38K miles, £59,995
Price Guide
Poor: Under £37,000
Good: £37,000 to £55,000
A1: £55,000+
Special Editions: Limited editions - like M Spec and M Spec Nur - can fetch more than £60,000, whilst super-rare V-Spec II NISMO Z-tune is a cool £300,000-plus!