Legacy of Nissan Skyline GTR R34 – JDM FEATURETTE
The Skyline Culture:
The roots of the Nissan Skyline GT-R go back to 1969, when Nissan introduced the Skyline 2000 as the "2000 GT-R" sports version. At the time, the Japanese car, which was powered by an in-line six-cylinder, had 160 hp and weighed only 1,100 kilograms, was Nissan's reaction to American muscle cars. The attempt failed to some extent, the GT-R sold rather sluggishly due to the oil crisis in the 1970s and was discontinued in 1973.
(Today, however, the so-called "shoe boxes", Hakosuka, are traded in good condition for well over 200,000 Euros). It was not until 1989 that project manager Kozo Watanabe decided to offer a GT-R series of the Skyline Type R32 again. In contrast to its ancestor with rear-wheel drive, the "new" GT-R transfers its power to the road via all-wheel drive.
Film star and tuning legend:
An interesting detail is that all GT-R models of the type R32, R33 and R34 (1989-2002) officially produce exactly 280 horsepower in their original version. The power limit goes back to a voluntary self-restriction by the Japanese carmakers. But the Nissan GT-R scene would not be the Nissan GT-R scene if it did not burn black marks on the asphalt with production cars. Modified GT-Rs are the rule and not the exception. The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 was produced from 1999 to 2002, with a total of 11,000 units leaving the factory halls (compared to just under 44,000 units of the R32 GTR).
The unique Godzillas:
Finding unmodified vehicles in their original condition in this day and age is nothing short of a miracle! Nissan's in-house tuner Nismo took on the GT-R R34 to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary. The twin-turbocharged RB26DETT 2.6-litre inline-six engine has been blown up to over 500bhp through extensive modifications. Called the Nismo GT-R Z-Tune and limited to 20 cars, it packs a punch of sumo power. The Z-Tune is available from Tomica at a bargain price compared to the $500,000 paid at auction in the US in 2016.
Part of the GT-R legend are the special models built in low double-digit production numbers. There were countless editions of the R34 series in particular, which today fetch unheard-of prices among collectors. The specially made Skyline R34 GT-R driven by Paul Walker in the film "Fast & Furious 4" is an absolute one-off and virtually unsaleable. The "Nür" (for Nürburgring), V-Spec and V-Spec II editions are also in great demand.
The manufacturers MiniGT, as well as Time Micro, Inno64 and Error404 are constantly supplying the collector community with new delicacies for model car lovers. For example, fans of the snappier-looking V-Spec variant will be happy with Time Micro. MiniGT, on the other hand, offers the R34 in various colour combinations: In Bayside Blue as V-Spec II, in the colour "Silica Brass" even as M-Spec with special accents in gold (on the original at least).
Allegedly, only 366 M-Spec were built, 131 of them in this colour. With the lifelike variants, we are quickly talking over 300,000 euros for a well-preserved example. Even rarer is the third MiniGT variant, the V-Spec N1 with only 38 built in the original. These were the final editions of the R34 GTR series!
If you are looking for something even rarer, Inno64 offers the V-Spec N1 Mine's. As the name implies, the Japanese tuning company Mine's had a hand in the final R34 GTR series. Stance Hunters offers the perfect addition to the unique R34 range in 1/64th scale: The V-Spec II Nür in "Millennium Jade". This is also a very rare livery that was only available 156 times on the original vehicle.
Last but not least, the most famous of all R33 and R34 colours should not be missing: Inno64's "Mindnight Purple" and Error404. While the Error404 variant has a lighter chameleon look, the Inno64 variant is richer and darker. The Error404 Skyline GTR R34 has additional aerodynamic components and carbon applications.
In race mode:
From 2001 to 2005, the R34 in the "Falken Tires Look" also competed in VLN circuit races. The best finish at the 24h race was 5th place in 2002 and 2004. The JGTC version of the Japanese racing series was also impressive: from 1999 to 2003, the Japanese racers competed with the Nismo Skyline and were also able to celebrate success there.
Which version of the R34 is your favourite? Feel free to leave a comment in this blog post and watch the video on our Youtube channel:
Thanks for reading!
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You can find more articles from the same model car manufacturer below.
You can find more articles from the same model car manufacturer below.
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2 Comments
Luka
can i buy any of those cars
admin
Cheers buddy!
Yep, in case of R34 models you can get an overview here:
https://doramas.ch/search?q=r34
“Auf Lager” means available for sale.