1997 NISSAN SKYLINE

1997 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR V-Spec Series 3

UK Supplied car by Middlehurst (1/100)

Just 100 R33 GT-Rs officially made it to the UK, all being supplied by specialist Nissan dealer Middlehurst Garage of St Helens. It is thought that just 10 of the V-Specs were supplied with desirable leather upholstery in place of the standard and somewhat dowdy grey fabric. Out of the 10 made, a handful come with red leather.

A quick glance inside this superb Middlehurst supplied, UK specified model confirms it to be one of that ten with its deep red optional leather transforming the R33’s otherwise sombre cabin. In fact this is quite possibly the only red leather trimmed UK supplied V-Spec. The first owner specified this rare option (at a substantial cost of £1,872.34) together with a CD changer (£255.32), white dials (£382.98) and a 330bhp upgrade (£170.21 or £3.40 per extra bhp). This bought the total purchase price in 1998 to £51,150.

The GT-R continued to be serviced by Middlehurst until 2003 at 51,693 miles likely suggesting it stayed with the first keeper until around that time. A further three owners followed and the Nissan spent 10 years in dry storage before the current keeper acquired the GT-R around two years ago. In the intervening years the V-Spec acquired a very rare set of Nismo LM GT1 split rim alloy wheels and a Nismo exhaust system.

In current ownership the GT-R has undergone some focussed mapping and tuning at the hands of RM Automotive Services with over £3,000 being spent in February 2024. This culminated in a dyno test recording a 448 bhp peak power output with torque peaking at 357 lb-ft.

This remarkable and rare R33 GT-R V-Spec is now ready and ideally placed to start the next chapter of its storied life with a lucky new owner.

Exterior

This UK supplied example was specified in silver livery which suits the GT-R’s bulging arches and muscular, pumped up haunches perfectly. UK cars also came with an air intake on the front bumper.

The R33 was initially unfavourably compared to its predecessor in terms of its size and weight. In reality the differences were modest with the later car being around 6 inches longer and an inch taller and wider. It was possibly the squarer, more bluff styling that was suggestive of a considerably larger form factor. That distinctive squared off styling would soon become emblematic of the JDM high performance scene, partly thanks to its ubiquity in video games series such as Need for Speed, Grand Turismo and Forza.

It's an impressive sight in the metal, of course. The deep chin spoiler, prone boot aerofoil and deep side skirts leave no doubt that this was the late 1990’s apex predator in Nissan’s considerably meeker line up. The overall condition appears very impressive for a 27 year old performance icon. A high and lustrous shine emanates from all those complex panels, and all cabin glass and light lenses appear clear and bright. A few minor under paint bubbles are reported around the offside rear wheel arch and there is a small dent on the bonnet close to the offside headlight.

Possibly the most eye-catching aspect of this particular example, however, are those deeply desirable Nismo LM GT1 five spoke alloy wheels. These are 18-inch, split rim items with gloss white centres and polished alloy rims. The Nismo logo appears on one of the tapered spokes and their open architecture allows sight of the V-Spec specification Bremo brake callipers. It all makes for a heady visual combination and one that is hard to tear your gaze away from.

Interior

That, possibly unique, red leather upholstery does a lot of the heavy lifting in making this GT-Rs cabin considerably more appealing and luxurious looking than the standard grey fabric would. The high and slim backed sports seats are subtly bolstered right up to the shoulders to better allow the occupants to defy the inevitable g-forces this car can generate. The condition remains impressive throughout, possibly aided by some judicious refurbishment and recolouring in 2004.

The carpets are courtesy of grey, hard wearing items which look to be original and in a fine overall condition. These appear to have been protected by some original Skyline GT-R, deep pile, chequered carpet mats. The headlining is finished in a light hue and appears free from stains, marks or imperfections.

The dark dashboard is dominated by those optional white faced gauges. Chief amongst these is the tachometer which sits in a hooded binnacle ahead of the pilot. This is redlined at 8,000 rpm and is accompanied by a 180 mph speedometer and three ancillary gauges. A further three ancillary gauges sit in the centre console measuring turbo boost, oil temperature and pressure. The main binnacle sits behind a four spoke leather Nissan sports steering wheel. The condition of this focussed cabin remains impressive indeed. That even extends to the surprisingly commodious boot. This is finished in grey and black carpet and is home to a space saver wheel, original jack and tools. An adjustable rear suspension brace is visible underscoring the inexorable performance focus of this Nissan.

Mechanical

The “standard” 2.6 L twin-turbocharged RB26DETT straight six engine reportedly adhered to the longstanding 280bhp “gentleman’s agreement” cap. From the factory this one benefitted from a 50bhp additional uplift making it incredibly swift from the get-go. As already mentioned this example has been further fettled in 2024 boosting its output up towards the mid 400 mark. The original five speed manual transmission features feeding this prodigious output through the car’s ATTESA E-TS Pro all-wheel drive and active limited slip differential.

The under bonnet presentation of this GT-R looks fantastic. The inner panels are clean, bright and free from imperfection. The top of the RB26 engine is finished in a textured, gloss black finish and bright “Twin Cam 24-Valve” and “Twin Turbo” emblems also feature. The etched Nissan data plate is also present and correct. The underside of the car is a revelation, too. The Nismo exhaust system is bright and shiny and accompanied by new looking braided hoses and sparklingly clean gearbox and differential housings. The steel underside of the body is finished in faultless black textured under seal. It’s an impressive sight.

The seller adds: "UK cars had Cooling Systems: Additional cooling measures were implemented for reliability, including an engine oil cooler with Nismo inlet and outlet, a gearbox cooler with Nismo pumps, and a rear differential cooler with Nismo pumps."

History

There is a great depth of paperwork accompanying the V-Spec. This includes the V5 Registration Document and current, advisory free MoT. The latter is valid until October 2026. A number of earlier MoTs are also present, providing an audit trail of this example’s impressively low mileage.

Other key highlights include the original service book which covers services from 1,141 miles in 1998 to 65,040 miles in 2010. Numerous invoices are present providing the detail and costs associated with many of these service stamps. Numerous more recent ones are also present including the one associated with the performance enhancements from 2024 and accompanying dyno graphs. There is also some interesting correspondence between the supplying dealer and the original purchaser. A very instructive archive.

Summary

In Nissan terms the R33 GT-R was very much a low volume, specialist endeavour. Just 16,668 were built between 1995 and 1998. The vast majority of these remained in Japan with just the 97 officially making it to our shores. This scarcity combined with the car’s fearsome reputation and Nürburg notoriety make the R33 JDM royalty today and almost guaranteed to draw an admiring crowd.

This example is a dazzler. It features a possibly one off red leather interior together with a raft of other desirable factory extras. For its age and type it is a low owner, low mileage example and boasts a stunning overall condition (take another look at that underside!). Those rare Nismo alloys and intelligently applied performance upgrades surely make this an example of the breed which is without equal. Be sure not to miss this once in a lifetime ownership opportunity.

- More pictures available on request -