1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Series I

Whilst many of the PlayStation generation will have first experienced the drama of the R34 GT-R V-Spec through Gran Turismo, it was an appearance in The Fast and the Furious franchise that led to an explosion in global popularity for the R34 GT-R. Indeed, the late Paul Walker drove an R34 GT-R in 2 Fast 2 Furious, enhancing its almost cult status. But it was in the 'real' world where the R34 GT-R would cement its reputation. Described by Evo magazine as 'a warrior-class performer' in its 2007 road test, where a standard R34 GT-R was pitted against the likes of a McLaren F1, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari F40 and Bugatti Veyron, the GT-R's reputation as a class-act remained intact.

It may not be able to claim the original 'Godzilla' moniker as that remains with the R32 GT-R, but the newcomer definitely carried the torch and arguably the R34 GT-R has become the most recognised car ever to emerge from Japan in their late-1990s golden era. Synonymous with the late Paul Walker who had a true passion for the R34, managing to own two of the 14 examples to have been federalized in the early 2000s. As soon as the The Fast and The Furious franchise used the GT-R as the hero car in their series, the popularity of the R34 surged worldwide and continues to remain on that upward trajectory to this day.

The R33 GT-R was a good car, but many found it to be too bulky in design and too heavy to be a worthy successor to the R32 GT-R, which the R34 sought to rectify and did so with flying colours. Released with a shorter, sharper design and the performance to match, it’s safe to say the bite truly matches the bark. For a car released in 1999, the R34 came crammed full of technology including a 5.8" LCD multifunction display in the dashboard showing seven different live readings of engine and vehicle statistics such as boost pressure, oil/water temperature and throttle percentage among others.

It arrived with aggressive new styling, a stiffer bodyshell and a reworked version of the bulletproof and highly modifiable RB26DETT twin-turbo, inline-six mated to an all-new Getrag 6-speed gearbox and transfer case. The electronically controlled Super HICAS rear-wheel steering system was retained. Unlike some other performance cars of the 1990s, Nissan did not neglect the braking system and fitted Brembo brakes with 300mm vented discs.

This Bayside Blue (TV2) R34 GT-R Series I presents in good condition and with the exception of the larger exhaust system, remains in almost totally standard guise, seldom seen on these JDM machines. According to the R34 'bible', the GT-R Registry, the car was produced in May 1999 and spent the vast majority of its life in Japan until being imported to the UK in 2022. As a Series I JDM-delivered example, it's one of just 2,709 out of a production run of 11,578 cars. As is common with JDM imports, there is minimal Japanese history with the car but the history file does contain the original Skyline handbook and service book with the first two inspections completed, both housed in the original Nissan wallet.

Upon its arrival in the UK in 2022, the car was registered and MOT’d, showing 93,098km (57,848 miles) at the time and upon completion, it lived a pampered life seldom emerging from its garage-stored hibernation. In 2024, the car was sent to Nissan gurus, Litchfield Motors, for a full service and remedial works to sort a few minor issues and to bring it up to standard once again, at a cost of £4,244.67. It has subsequently been MOT’d and now displays 93,891km (58,341 miles), showing it has covered just 500 miles on UK roads. Crucially, being an early production car, it is now eligible for US-import, an itch that many will have to scratch, having surpassed the obligatory 25-year import rule.

With the way R34 GT-R prices have skyrocketed so easily into six-figures in recent years, this cherished example is surely the last chance to acquire such a desirable car for a reasonable outlay, especially considering the 25-year import rule legalising these cars in the US means that values may well move on even further.