The Rising Collectors’ Market for Japanese Cars of The 1990s - Iconic Auctioneers Supercar Fest Sale on May 18th Features a Selection of Japanese Gems from Nissan, Mitsubishi & Subaru

Some people don’t understand the excitement and rising values of the best Japanese cars, especially those JDM – made for the Japanese domestic market. But the reasons for the market turning the spotlight on modern Japanese classics are multiple; The 1990s was the golden age of the Japanese performance car, their popularity was boosted by video games such as Gran Turismo, and the Fast and Furious movie franchise and now motoring enthusiasts in their 30s and 40s have reached an age where they can splurge on cars that made up their teenage fantasies.
The first of the cars showcased in the forthcoming Iconic Auctioneers sale on May 18th is this 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec I. This is a perfect example of why we are seeing rising prices for the best Japanese classics. Simply put, this R34 is JDM royalty. Possibly the most iconic car from the modern classic era, immortalised in film franchises and rightfully adored by all. With mechanical upgrades and JDM goodies galore, this R34 is running c.550bhp. Estimated at £120,000 - £150,000, it is offered directly from ‘The Well Timed' Collection.

With the way that R34 GT-R prices have skyrocketed comfortably into the six-figure department in recent years, this cherished, uprated, Bayside Blue example is surely the last chance to acquire such a desirable car for reasonable money, especially considering the 25-year import rule has now legalised the import of this car into the USA. Sympathetically upgraded to OEM+ specification, this GT-R looks, drives and is exactly what you’d wish a GT-R to be. They say don’t meet your heroes, but if you’re going to, you’d struggle to find a better R34 GT-R hero than this one.

The Skyline R34 GT-R is highly revered by all, whether a JDM aficionado or not, one cannot deny their presence and popularity in the car world. Standing as arguably the most iconic Japanese performance car in history. Whilst many of the PlayStation generation may have first experienced the drama of the R34 GT-R V-Spec through Gran Turismo, it was its appearance in the Fast and Furious franchise that led to an explosion in global popularity for the R34 GT-R, with the late Paul Walker driving one in 2 Fast 2 Furious, enhancing its almost cult status.

But it was in the 'real' world where the R34 GT-R V-Spec 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 the McLaren F1, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari F40 and Bugatti Veyron, the GT-R’s reputation as a class act remained intact. While the R34 may not be able to claim the original 'Godzilla' title, as that remains with the R32 GT-R, the newcomer certainly carried the torch, and arguably the R34 GT-R has become the most iconic and most recognised car ever to emerge from Japan, especially in their late 1990s golden era. The R33 GT-R was a very 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.

This R34 GT-R V-Spec I presents in simply exceptional condition and has been maintained religiously throughout its eight-year UK ownership. Within the history file there is every MOT since its 2015 import and a whole host of Japanese paperwork including the original service pack, featuring an abundance of rarely kept Japanese maintenance paperwork, original Skyline instruction manual and three sets of keys. Additionally, there is paperwork documenting its upgrades whilst in Japan including the ¥915,000 (c.£5,000) sheet of fitted JDM upgrades including HKS, NISMO and Apexi parts amongst others, as well as their accompanying sales sheets. The bulk of the UK servicing has been undertaken by J A Kit & Customs, as well as by our enthusiast vendor.

The vendor wanted the car to be the best of the best, whilst retaining OEM/OEM+ aesthetics and fitted a host of upgrades including bronze Rays CE28 wheels, electronically adjustable Tein coil-over suspension, NISMO sway bars, an HKS turbo timer, new turbos, a Link G4 ECU and a host of undetectable mechanical upgrades (summary sheet provided in history file), which allowed marque specialist tuner, Martin Battye, to extract well over 500bhp from the wonderful RB26.

The last of the Skylines on offer is this Right-hand drive JDM Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R. Finished in Motorsport White with a grey interior, this superb R33 GT-R has been sympathetically modified but remains largely unmolested throughout with an impressive cockpit area enhanced by a carbon fibre pack and a well detailed engine bay should the show arena beckon. Mechanically, it still wears the original turbos on factory settings running through equal-length downpipes supplied by RHD Japan, fitted in 2020 with unspent gases exiting through a Blitz Nur Spec exhaust system. Recently serviced, the Skyline is running and performing well, and it is clear to see that it has been maintained as required over the years by its fastidious custodians including general services and cam belt changes being adhered to as and when required.

Built at Subaru's Fuji Heavy Industries plant in Japan and honed by rally royalty, Prodrive, the Impreza P1 was always destined to become the hugely desirable modern classic that we rightfully see it as today. Built in a limited run of 1,000 examples, all were painted in Sonic Blue and using the WRX STi Type R as a base. Prodrive engineers installed the anti-roll bars from the European-specification Impreza Turbo, along with firmer springs and shock absorbers, to deliver a suspension set up better suited to continental roads. They were powered by a revised version of the rally engine with re-calibrated electronics and developing no less than 280bhp, 69bhp more than the standard Impreza Turbo. The cars also featured ABS, as well as the Peter Stevens-designed anthracite OZ racing wheels, front spoiler, and rear wing.

On offer here is a very exciting and perhaps unrepeatable find. This P1 is a UK-supplied, right-hand drive example sold new by Keith Price Garages Ltd of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire in March 2001 to its one and only registered keeper, a lady who lived locally. It was enjoyed sparingly with less and less use as the years went on and as a result, the odometer read just 14,975 miles at the time of cataloguing. She kept the car for 22 years until it then came into the possession of our vendor, who enjoys a significant private Collection. He has not registered or used the car under his ownership and a change in direction for the Collection means that the P1 is now available for its next lucky owner.

A second UK-supplied P1 (#0961/1000) is also on offer in the auction, this example has recently been mechanically refreshed and has clearly led a cherished and much cared-for life, presenting superbly, and estimated at £50,000 - £60,000.

Mitsubishi vs. Subaru is arguably one of the longest standing friendly rivalries in the motoring world and has been going on as long as the two companies have been involved in competitive motorsport. With Subaru producing the 'Version' cars, the P1, and the 22B alongside Prodrive, Mitsubishi responded with the Tommi Mäkinen and the Evo range.

A second UK-supplied P1 (#0961/1000) is also on offer in the auction, this example has recently been mechanically refreshed and has clearly led a cherished and much cared-for life, presenting superbly, and estimated at £50,000 - £60,000.

Mitsubishi vs. Subaru is arguably one of the longest standing friendly rivalries in the motoring world and has been going on as long as the two companies have been involved in competitive motorsport. With Subaru producing the 'Version' cars, the P1, and the 22B alongside Prodrive, Mitsubishi responded with the Tommi Mäkinen and the Evo range.

By 1997, rallying had captured the imagination of petrolheads all over the world and Mitsubishi sold 6,000 Evolution IVs in the first three days of its launch! In quick succession, the Lancer Evolution VI came to be, and in the latter-half of 1999, Mitsubishi unleashed a special edition to celebrate its favourite son’s four consecutive WRC drivers' titles from 1996-1999 - the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI 'Tommi Mäkinen Edition' (TME).

Widely regarded as the finest Lancer to wear the Evolution badge, it was now available in five colours, with Passion Red and Canal Blue joining Scotia White, Pyrenean Black and Satellite Silver. Only 250 TMEs (across the five colours) were officially imported into the UK, with 100 examples going to Australia, and the rest sold domestically in the Japanese market. Official figures show that of the UK's allocation, only 50 examples were in Canal Blue, perhaps the more discreet colour for a TME.

The car presented here is one of those in Canal Blue, so not only is it a genuine Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition (CP9A / SNGF2) car, but it is also an official UK-market example. This means it was officially imported by Mitsubishi-affiliated Ralliart UK and consequently it would have been professionally SVA'd. Presented from 20-years ownership this fastidiously maintained, subtly enhanced example has just 17,500 miles and is estimated at £50,000 - £60,000.

The last of the Evo’s on offer is this 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400, perhaps the most accomplished Evo ever, one of only 35 examples specially enhanced by Mitsubishi to be a UK-market only model; 403bhp, 387lb/ft, 0-62mph in 3.8sec, just a single owner, only 7,600 miles and estimated at £50,000 - £60,000.

More details and images about these collectible Japanese classics along with the other cars entered in the Supercar Fest Sale can be found on the Iconic Auctioneers website iconicauctioneers.com. In person viewing of all the lots will be available on Friday the 17th May 10am to 4pm at the auction venue, Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton (no show ticket required) or on the morning of Saturday 18th from 9.30am. Show tickets can be purchased at supercarfest.co.uk. Registration for bidding is now open, bidding is available in person, online, on the telephone or via a commission bid. The Auction will also be live streamed on the Iconic Auctioneers website.

For more information please contact:
Rob Hubbard
Managing Director
+ 44 (0) 7775 511 825
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