One of the truest tests of a vehicle’s greatness is the legacy it leaves behind. The Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 is not only a fantastically capable and exciting sports car, it also established a template still followed by Nissan more than three decades later.
The R32 was launched in 1989, primarily to dominate the Group A class of motorsport. And dominate it did. It won the Japanese Touring Car Championship four times in a row and finished first in two consecutive Australian Touring Car Championships.
Along with trophies, the R32 picked up something else Down Under: its ‘Godzilla’ nickname. It has stuck with the GT-R ever since.
Fast and furious
Four-wheel-drive and four-wheel-steering systems are key to the Skyline’s legendary handling prowess, but the main source of its blistering pace is an extremely adaptable engine. The 2.8-litre turbocharged straight-six in this example produces around 600hp – on par with the Group A racing version.
As you’d expect for a Skyline, the car has been extensively modified. High quality branded parts include a Tomei stroker kit, HKS engine control unit, Denso injectors and Tein coilover suspension.
Care has been taken to create a balanced and usable road car. For example, the R32’s increased turbo boost is matched by appropriate fuelling upgrades, while its greater performance is reined in by bigger brakes.
Gauge your interest
There are also some official ‘OEM’ tweaks on the car, such as a rare Nismo gauge cluster from the early 1990s.
This example spent 30 years on the grit-free roads of Japan before being imported to the UK in 2021, and has been carefully maintained throughout its life. It comes with a full Japanese service history and plenty of paperwork covering its many modifications, plus an advisory-free MOT until next February.
Car & Classic’s auction for the 1991 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, in association with Retro Motor, goes live
today and runs until 22 September 2023. The car is expected to sell for between £30,000 and £35,000.
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