1996 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR V-Spec

Highlights

• Front-mounted 2.6-litre inline-six, fully rebuilt and modified to produce 611hp

• A painstakingly built and lovingly cared for “OEM-plus” project

• Stored in a climate-controlled environment and driven only in the dry by owner of last 11 years

• Full respray in 2016 complemented by rare Nismo LM GT magnesium alloy wheels

• Registration plate included in sale

• No expense spared example of JDM legend

Overview

Those in the market for any Japanese icon will almost certainly fall into one of two categories: purists, in search of the most faithful OEM example of their chosen car, and tuners, looking to lean into everything the weird and wonderful sub-culture has to offer. 

Many of us in the latter bracket may have found our way there via videogames like Need for Speed and Midnight Club, with fond memories of blowing our virtual credits on creating the ultimate expression of our JDM dreams. A fortunate and dedicated few, however, have gone one step further, and invested tens of thousands of pounds-worth of their very real currency into making those visions come true. 

In this case that vision comes in one of the most iconic shapes of all, a Nissan Skyline R33 GTR V-Spec, tuned to “OEM-plus” specification. Far from a garage queen with 89,845 miles under its belt, but meticulously maintained by its owner of the last 11 years, stored in a climate-controlled environment and driven only in the dry. A unicorn. 

To achieve that status, key modifications carried out by the current owner include an engine professionally rebuilt with forged pistons and rods, and an extensively reworked head; a full titanium exhaust with “not too much” in the way of baffling; uprated turbos for a total output of 611hp at the wheels; and Ohlins DFV coilover suspension for the handling to keep it in check. 

With too many individual tweaks to mention, names like Nismo, Alcon, Tomei, Ferodo and HKS abound. Those interested in bidding would certainly benefit from taking the seller up on his offer of a conversation with the builder of this remarkable machine. 

Never intended to be sold, the care and attention that’s gone into this tasteful yet potent project is clear to see, giving the next custodian the choice of instant hero status, or a perfect platform for a few further tweaks of their own. Either way, what this lot presents is the chance to experience that thrill with just the press of a few on-screen buttons, as easily as it was once achieved in PlayStation form.

History and documentation

• First registered 15/06/2006

• Six-owner vehicle, acquired by current keeper on 10/03/2015

• £375 road tax

• Extensive paperwork documenting modification and maintenance history since car was imported, no prior documentation

• N15MEO plate included in the sale

• Two keys

• MOT expired 07/07/2026 but the car will have a new MOT before sale

• V5 in current owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Cabin in respectable condition for its age with some wear and tear

• Black and grey fabric upholstery

• Upgraded white Nismo gauges

• Described as fully-functioning with the current exception of the air-conditioning (soon to be rectified with a replacement pipe)

• Odometer shows 144,593km (89,845 miles)

Exterior

• White paintwork in generally exceptional condition following 2016 respray

• Very minor stone chips to front and wheels

• Rare white Nismo LM GT magnesium alloy wheels

• Gold R35 callipers and rotors with Supertec adaptor hubs and brackets

• All discs and pads “near-new”

• Genuine GEN3 Xenon headlights

• Ganador wing mirrors

• Immaculate engine bay

• Undercarriage appears to be in excellent condition having been professionally cleaned and Lanoguarded, but not used in the wet by the current owner. Some jacking points have been noted as compressed. 

Mechanical

• Front-mounted 2.6-litre inline-six, modified to produce 611hp

• Engine fully professionally rebuilt with forged pistons and rods, extensively reworked head

• Twin low mount turbos producing 1.6 bar

• Full custom-made titanium exhaust

• Ohlins DFV coilover suspension

• Five-speed manual transmission with upgraded Nismo clutch

• All-wheel drive with rear active LSD

• Federal 595RS-Pro tyres with plenty of tread

• Car has recently undergone a full service with new cam belt in addition to engine compression and vacuum testing (with written results provided for buyer peace of mind)

• Owner describes car as offering a fantastic driving response, with all work done to the highest standards available

Summary

It’s hard to quantify a car like this. You can start with the price of the standard vehicle and add on the cost of the extensive modifications, but still fall well short of the value imbued by a dedicated owner who took the time to do things right. 

That certainly seems to be the case here, bestowing the next keeper of this JDM icon with what should be one of the best examples going and setting them up for thousands more miles of fun, before it’s time to pass the controller to the next player. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Minehead, Somerset.