Thursday 17th July 2014

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) NISMO: Spotted

A genuine limited run homologation special for a lot less than you may think

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Group A Touring Cars may have succumbed to separate national regulations a long time ago now, but by heck did it produce some fantastic road cars. Changes to the race cars had to be homologated with road versions, creating stuff like the Sierra RS500, various E30 M3s and the Mercedes 190E Evolutions.

Say 'Skyline GT-R NISMO' to create JDM fan frenzy

The homologation status of those and their reputation as some of the best driver's cars has understandably inflated values. A non-RS500 Cosworth is £30K, a 2.3 M3 is £35K and, diverting onto a rally tangent, the best Delta Integrales are above £20,000.

Then there's this. The R32 Skyline GT-R NISMO. 500 were made to comply with 'Evolution' regs of Group A. It ran with some aero tweaks used on the racer (see the the front bumper ducts for better intercooler flow and spoilers on the bonnet and boot) with 560 made, 60 of which were made into race cars. We've all seen what Skylines did to Sierras at Bathurst and this car, fresh from Japan and with 60,000 miles, is £14,830. Fourteen thousand pounds.

Skylines aren't for everyone of course, and regular R32s are rather less, but that seems like quite the bargain. Moreover, though a few colourful parts under the bonnet would suggest some mods it hasn't been subjected to a Veilside kit or some iffy rims. A quarter of a century has made Godzilla look rather more tame in comparison with the R35, but people will know. Gran Turismo has made them know. The R32 is a special car, even more so in this specification.

Have you spotted the badge yet?

If the fact this could be one of the best first gen GT-Rs available in the UK isn't enough encouragement, there are a couple of other factors to consider. With a NISMO badge now back on a GT-R, interest in the old versions will surely rise. And as the advert points out, this car will be eligible for US registration next year. Could there be a profit to be made keeping it for a year and selling it to the States?

It may want for a bit of image in Britain compared to the M3s and Sierra in Britain but there's no denying the R32 GT-R's phenomenal competition pedigree. That it's a superb driver's car to boot only strengthens the appeal. Very tempting indeed.

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NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R NISMO (R32)
Engine: 2,561cc turbocharged straight-six
Transmission: Five-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 261@4,400rpm
MPG: NA
CO2: NA
Price new: NA in UK
Yours for: £14,830 (until 29 July, see ad)

See the original advert here.

 

[JamesHayward]

The holomogation cars had the N1 block and N1 turbochargers (steel internals rather than ceramic) too. Annoyingly my R32 GT-R, whilst it was an early one, was chassis number 680 meaning in the grand scheme of things I just missed out

[cocopop]

That's awesome. I want it.

[TommoAE86]

Where the obsessing thread, I've been looking at R32 & R33 GT-R's for a few weeks and still really want one. Just need to save it up now, by which time they will be seen as rare and into the price ranges mentioned for the other's

[Richair]

So much want! I'm not a Skyline fanboy, but the R32 and R33 GTR's really do it for me. The recent supertest of all of the modern incarnations in Evo was cracking!

[dukebox9reg]

Used to drive a mates R32 now and then many moons back and loved it (was slightly tweaked 450bhp ish I think). Had at the time I think what was advertised as the loudest dump valve you could buy for the car. So was quite comical.

Being of the original Playstation GT generation loved these but looking at these pics now, my god does it look old. R33 is still my fav.

[J4CKO]

Amazing how much cheaper Skylines are, even than MK1 and 2 Escorts, appreciate this is 15 but 8 grand gets you one.

Wonder if they actually feel all that quick these days as standard, certainly the best modern looking Skyline.

[seefarr]

Anyone know what the signature on the dash is all about?

[TommoAE86]

Something to do with the exporter/import maybe?

[PZR]

seefarr said:

Anyone know what the signature on the dash is all about?

It's the autograph of Japanese 'Idol' (and, ahem..., part-time porn star) Ms Yumi NAGASE. Be careful if you Google her name (NSFW).

Hopefully it'll clean off....

[mr2j]

A well timed post - I was just about to google the name. I think I'll wait til I get home and have some tissues handy.

[mr2j]

A well timed post - I was just about to google the name. I think I'll wait til I get home and have some tissues handy.

[soad]

PZR said:

It's the autograph of Japanese 'Idol' (and, ahem..., part-time porn star) Ms Yumi NAGASE. Be careful if you Google her name (NSFW).

Hopefully it'll clean off....

[davidcharles]

J4CKO said:

Amazing how much cheaper Skylines are, even than MK1 and 2 Escorts, appreciate this is 15 but 8 grand gets you one.

Wonder if they actually feel all that quick these days as standard, certainly the best modern looking Skyline.

standard (280bhp) they do feel a bit heavy if you know what i mean, still quick but a bit heavy. A few very cheap breathing mods really makes a huge difference and the pull from the engine seems never ending. They hide their speed as well a bit as grip is so good sometimes there's not too much drama when doing high speeds....great cars, all of em

[Dave Hedgehog]

PZR said:

seefarr said:

Anyone know what the signature on the dash is all about?

It's the autograph of Japanese 'Idol' (and, ahem..., part-time porn star) Ms Yumi NAGASE. Be careful if you Google her name (NSFW).

Hopefully it'll clean off....

given her job i would want to keep it it would impress the hell out of the wife

[avhbi]

I'd be cautious as the valve covers are the same colour as the later more fragile non N1 R34 engine. I'd like to see how much of the original car there's left before I spend twice the amount needed for a relatively standard R32 GTR.

[hondansx]

I didn't realise how cheap (the non NISMO) ones are. Earlier the week i had a very brief interaction with the owner of a really nicely modified one (lowered on very wide Volks wheels) at some traffic lights and was in the classifieds within an hour!

Being part of the Playstation generation, it is iconic car for me. However, so are the likes of the Escort Cossie, and they're not silly expensive either. I'd argue there's no need to panic buy in that case...

Whilst people moan about Porsche prices, it's nice to see there is at least one iconic cars out there that your average guy can still afford!

[Matt Bird]

avhbi said:

I'd be cautious as the valve covers are the same colour as the later more fragile non N1 R34 engine. I'd like to see how much of the original car there's left before I spend twice the amount needed for a relatively standard R32 GTR.

Ah, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the info.

[CrisW]

Matt Bird said:

Ah, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the info.

The interior is a bit weird too. It seems to have a late model surround to the centre console. Suggests something has happened to the interior. I can see that the dash is bubbling too (visitable below the signature)

Not sure if the headlights are right either. I have a feeling that the Nismo cars had the early projector headlights. The N1 cars (I think) had the reflector headlights.

It could be a great car but I'd want to know a lot more about the (extensive) work which has been done. I would also assume that the additional value of the Nismo cars is their originality. It's easy to fit the aerokit to any R32 GTR (Nismo might even still sell the parts today) so I would guess that collectors will want an original straight car not one with an engine swap (perhaps), a colour change and lots of aftermarket/changed parts.

[RyanTank]

one of my fantasy cars! Just a shame I'll be crippled by insurance on any import ones

[rob1234]

PZR said:

seefarr said:

Anyone know what the signature on the dash is all about?

It's the autograph of Japanese 'Idol' (and, ahem..., part-time porn star) Ms Yumi NAGASE. Be careful if you Google her name (NSFW).

Hopefully it'll clean off....

Should do the trick...