Sunday 11th October 2020

The Spotted Week That Was | GT-R, 309 GTI, QP

A £200k (!) JDM motorsport special heads our trio of finds in the classifieds this week

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Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R ‘Hakosuka’, 1970, £199,995

I love Japanese cars. Blame Gran Turismo, blame Fast & Furious, blame a new silly Subaru almost every week in the early 2000s. Whatever the cause, there’s no stopping it now: the Lotto win garage would have as many Spoon Hondas, four-rotor Mazdas and RS Evos as I could lay my hands on. 

But this would be first. The Hakosuka, or KPGC10 to give the car its more prosaic, official title, is the beginning of the Skyline GT-R legend. For those that don’t it, this car came about when Nissan acquired Prince in the late 1960s and evolved its existing Skyline; determined to beat Porsche on track, a 24-valve straight-six - the famed S20 - was crammed into a four-door Skyline in 1969, birthing the very first GT-R. The two-door followed in 1971. As did 49 victories in domestic motorsport. Consecutively…

Hence the legend, the reverence, and this stunning car being for sale at… £200k. Which is enormous money, if already £35k off what it was first listed at. But for a JDM nut, this holds way more appeal than pretty much any 911, E-Type or V12 Ferrari this money (or a lot more money) possibly could. So, in that way, it’s almost good value. Or perhaps that’s just the fanboy talking… 
MB

Peugeot 309 GTI, 1990, 16k, £20,994

As a French hot hatch fiend who’s recently turned 30, there was no better car for me to ponder this week than the 309 GTI. Also coming from 1990 (as all the best things do), it’s a remarkable survivor. Despite being hailed as even better than the 205 GTI to drive, the 309’s dumpy styling just didn’t cut it when new alongside the smaller hatch’s pert good looks. So fewer were sold in the first place; some would have inevitably been crashed (because even a French hot hatch less prone to oversteer still does it a bit), then eventually driven into the ground or scrapped when values were on the floor. 

Given all that, for this one to have made it 30 years without modification or misadventure is quite the feat. It’s only covered 16,000 miles, too - I’ve probably done more miles on foot in my three decades - and is being sold with history so extensive it even includes the original (hand-written!) order form. It’s a 309 for the discerning (as well as wealthy) collector then, really, not for an eager scallywag in love with a Clio 182. But given Peugeot’s reputation in the field, it’d be nigh-on impossible to resist just one exploratory drive. Or perhaps two. Then preserved for the next 30 years, honest.
SS

Maserati Quattroporte, 2005, 55k, £9,950

Cheap Quattroportes aren’t anything new – Mike D nominated one for Brave Pill at the start of 2020 – but finding one as immaculate as this one for under £10k still feels significant. With what the seller describes as a full and extensive service history, and only 55,525 miles on the clock, this 2005 QP is probably about as safe as a Ferrari 4.2-litre V8-powered Maserati can get. Which is to say still pretty risky, but inevitably reduced by the modest amount you're risking in the first place.

Regardless, it could also be chalked up as the kind of investment which goes beyond the tedious question of money lost or gained. In the case of the Quattroporte it centres on those timeless looks and the 400hp Ferrari motor powering them. Sure, there are better luxury cars - but very few with a soundtrack to rival the Maserati.

This one’s particularly well equipped, too, with about every option available added to the appeal of telling everyone you own a Maserati. Of course there are several valid reasons why the car costs a fraction of its original price. But I've chosen not to think about it.
HR

[sidesauce]

That GT-R is a very cool car. £200k cool? Not sure if that would be the first thing I'd put my money towards but it's very nice all the same.

Edited by sidesauce on Sunday 11th October 09:32

[Honeywell]

I had a red 1990 309 GTi when I was 21. Such an epic car. Amazing steering, throttle response and chassis. I could wring every last ounce out of that car and at the time I had regular access to my own airfield with a perimeter track that I used to arrive an hour early to use as a free ‘trac day’ before anyone else turned up. Happy days.

Were it not for CV19 related dents to my personal finances I could well see me dropping £20k on that car. Show me another?

[A1VDY]

Nissan although desirable way overpriced. Maserati looks a bargain although could very well be the usual money pit.
309's were great in their time and still look good now. Surprised the asking price for this particular one, looks worth every penny.
I had a red 3 door one way back with the sliding moon roof. The head gasket went Inc a cracked head and at the time gave it away.

[P5BNij]

Love that QP, and Shiltec is the right place to buy it from.

[728 days later]

Wow, the 309 looks as good as new, worth every penny. Maserati looks handsome and cheap. The Nissan I struggle with, to most folk it’s just an old Datsun that’s been done up and it’s hard to disagree..

[_ppan]

I wonder if the Maserati would be a nice investment. Buy now, store for 5 years and see what the price does. Can't imagine them getting cheaper in this condition but can imagine a car like this appreciating.

That skyline is awesome, though expensive it is and I actually like the looks of the 309

[hepy]

Had a 309 gti far too long ago. Great car!

Still wouldn't spend £20k on one though...but well done to whoever does.

Closest thing to them nowadays must be the Fiesta ST?

£10k for the Maserati is tempting though.

[anonymous-user]

The Maserati please. I would prefer a darker blue, and a tan interior.....but this one looks in such good condition. As I now only drive to the office once a week, the man maths makes perfect sense!

[Augustus Windsock]

I may sound an idiot, and yes I’ve read the full description about it not being modified, but can anyone confirm that the rear arches on the GT-R should look like that, to a non-officienado they look like they have been cut back, and way to high at that?
As for the price I think you’d have to be a mega-serious collector so that, and the Maserati would be a ‘pass’ for me.
I had a 309GTi many many years ago, bought from a mate who worked in the service department at my local Ford dealership.
Through his contacts he got all the parts not only to do a major service but also cambelt, shocks and springs, suspension bushes etc as he wanted it to be like new (it had only done around 30k but was starting to feel a little baggy according to him)
Build quality was meh but it was a great steer, replacing an Escort Turbo I had at the time, and which was a totally different drive.
So yes, the 309 for me every time, the one most likely to put a smile on my face. U TIL I go backwards through the scenery of course...

[Hamo86]

I’m a fair JDM nutter but 200k for that GTR is jus ridiculous

So many more classic/better cars can be had for that money.

[cerb4.5lee]

I like all of those to be fair. The GT-R does seem extremely expensive to me though. The 309 is in great condition and if I had £20k spare I'd definitely be tempted to buy it. I'd also buy the Maserati purely for the noise it makes.

[emperorburger]

Two genuine classics and a secondhand Maserati.

Looking at the 309 with fresh eyes, I think it looks spot on and is a testament to how much Peugeot got right when they launched the 309.

Was it originally due to be launched as a Talbot?

[jason61c]

Hamo86 said:

I’m a fair JDM nutter but 200k for that GTR is jus ridiculous

So many more classic/better cars can be had for that money.

CAn you explain why? How many others do you know of? Do you know how Much an s20 engine alone sells for?

[mooseracer]

Honeywell said:

I had a red 1990 309 GTi when I was 21. Such an epic car. Amazing steering, throttle response and chassis. I could wring every last ounce out of that car and at the time I had regular access to my own airfield with a perimeter track that I used to arrive an hour early to use as a free ‘trac day’ before anyone else turned up. Happy days.

Were it not for CV19 related dents to my personal finances I could well see me dropping £20k on that car. Show me another?

I had a red 3 door 309gti back in the nineties. I still say to this day it is THE best car I've had for driving on the roads of the South West. The chassis was phenomenal and it had the kind of throttle response that just does not exist these days.

[cerb4.5lee]

emperorburger said:

Looking at the 309 with fresh eyes, I think it looks spot on and is a testament to how much Peugeot got right when they launched the 309.

I passed my driving test in a nearly new 1990 309 1.9d so I have fond memories of them. I also had a next door neighbour who had a 309 GTi that I used to enjoy going out in as well. I've always liked the shape of them.

[samoht]

Augustus Windsock said:

I may sound an idiot, and yes I’ve read the full description about it not being modified, but can anyone confirm that the rear arches on the GT-R should look like that, to a non-officienado they look like they have been cut back, and way to high at that?

I think that's factory for the GT-R

It sat 5mm (0.2 inches) lower than a Skyline 2000GT, and had full rear wheel arches cutting into the surf line of the standard cars. Of course, it came with steel wheels so that racers could quickly ditch them to fit larger aftermarket wheel and tire packages of their choosing.
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/50-year-club-nissa...

The arches look oversized here because it's ready to be lowered and fitted with wide wheels for the track.

But yeah, a museum piece and valued accordingly.

[s m]

Hamo86 said:

I’m a fair JDM nutter but 200k for that GTR is jus ridiculous

So many more classic/better cars can be had for that money.

What other better Hakosukas are there for sale? Could you expand on why they are better? Don’t know much on the JDM scene but I guess they are equivalent to the Merc EVO 2, BMW Sport Evo and RS500 from the late 80s/early 90s?

Is this one a poor example? Haven’t other examples sold for substantially more? Interested to know why this particular one is a ridiculous price?

[jason61c]

s m said:

What other better Hakosukas are there for sale? Could you expand on why they are better? Don’t know much on the JDM scene but I guess they are equivalent to the Merc EVO 2, BMW Sport Evo and RS500 from the late 80s/early 90s?

Is this one a poor example? Haven’t other examples sold for substantially more? Interested to know why this particular one is a ridiculous price?

He just doesn't know what hes talking about.

The GT-R is from the 70's it was quite ahead of those you posted.

[jason61c]

728 days later said:

Wow, the 309 looks as good as new, worth every penny. Maserati looks handsome and cheap. The Nissan I struggle with, to most folk it’s just an old Datsun that’s been done up and it’s hard to disagree..

Erm, its a Nissan. "to most folk", just shows that you care more about what the people living next door think. Modern Porsche it is for you.

[s m]

jason61c said:

s m said:

What other better Hakosukas are there for sale? Could you expand on why they are better? Don’t know much on the JDM scene but I guess they are equivalent to the Merc EVO 2, BMW Sport Evo and RS500 from the late 80s/early 90s?

Is this one a poor example? Haven’t other examples sold for substantially more? Interested to know why this particular one is a ridiculous price?

He just doesn't know what hes talking about.

The GT-R is from the 70's it was quite ahead of those you posted.

Ah ok

Yes, I realised the GT-R was from an earlier time - the price didn’t seem a surprise to me as I can see other examples have gone for a lot more. I was comparing them to the later Euro cars as I imagined they enjoyed a similar reputation and value at their point in time