1992 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR

First registered in Japan in January 1992, this Skyline R32 GT-R was imported to the UK and re-registered here in October 2015. We understand that its Japanese owner came over to the UK to study and couldn’t bear to be without his pride and joy. When he returned to Japan in 2016, however, the GT-R stayed behind.

Around the same time, our vendor was looking to build up a collection of cars that, first and foremost, he liked but that also might prove a worthy investment. After reading an article in Modern Classics he started searching for an R32 GT-R and discovered this one at supercar dealer R&W Motors near Slough. As it was a pristine, low mileage car, the dealer was tempted to keep it for himself but eventually sold it in February 2017. After driving it home, it went straight into professional storage where it remained for the next five years.

Coming out of storage earlier this year, the R32 has had a full, belt-change service and MOT and the owner has enjoyed some spirited driving since.

“I now understand why they have the great reputation that they do,” he says.

Having owned quite a few nice cars he reckons that none received the kind of admiration that the R32 generates. He gets smiles, waves and thumbs up when driving and excited approaches when parked up.

The vendor is keen to stress that this is an extremely reluctant sale, which is only necessary to fund a house-building project where costs are spiralling.

Finished in Black Pearl Metallic over dark grey alloys, this R32 GT-R cuts an impressive and slightly menacing figure - albeit one that is perhaps rather restrained by today’s standards of pumped up road cars.

Fresh from paint correction and detailing, the exterior is in a superb condition, with few discernible marks or blemishes to the paint and no obvious bodywork damage.

The only body parts not believed to be original, standard fit are the Nismo front bumper and the additional upstand under the rear spoiler.

The car sits on its original 16-inch Nissan 5-spoke forged alloy wheels, which are understood to have been refurbished before current ownership and remain largely blemish free. All have matching Yokohama tyres fitted, dating from 2015 but with good tread and little sign of deterioration.

The interior is a pleasant combination of black vinyl trim and grey alcantara upholstery and is very clean and in good order. The black dash and instrument panel is quite shallow giving the illusion of more cabin space and the soft seats are very comfortable.

In terms of equipment, the air conditioning blows icy cold but there are a few niggles elsewhere. Nothing is major nor insurmountable to someone with a bit of knowledge and patience.

• The Pioneer Carrozzeria stereo powers up but no sound can be heard through the speakers - the vendor believes that a previously fitted amplifier has been removed.
• The passenger window works well up or down from the passenger side switch but will only go up using the switch on the driver’s side.
• The passenger seat recline adjustment is a bit reluctant.
• The rear view mirror is starting to delaminate around the edges.

The grey carpets look good and there are Skyline badged diagonal-stitched overmats front and back.

Just to prove its origins, there is a petrol receipt from a Japanese Shell garage hiding in the glove box.

Having been recently detailed by hand, avoiding pressure washers or harsh detergents, the engine bay looks clean whilst still showing the patina of age on the engine and major ancillaries. The air filters and intake hoses are upgraded from the standard kit but don’t look out of place in the front nearside of the engine bay.

The undersides too are pretty clean and appear undamaged with just surface corrosion that you’d expect to see on steering and suspension parts. There are upgrades to the standard suspension having Ohlins adjustable dampers fitted and brake lines have been replaced with braided hoses. The stainless steel exhaust system is a big unit but isn’t overly loud or booming, although it does give a nice low rumble.

The rear boot isn’t especially deep but more than adequate for the kind of use such a car will get. The boot lid itself looks immaculate underneath and the carpet and linings are lightly stained in places but intact. Under the floor is a spare wheel with unused Bridgestone rubber. Beneath the spare, the floor of the wheel well looks free of any nasties.

The GT-R has a current MOT valid until February 2023 - with advisories on pitted brake discs - and although there is little in the way of history there are a couple of invoices for almost £2.5k of work this year by The Horsepower Factory (THF), near the Williams F1 HQ in Grove.

• Aug 22 - CV boots & power windows - £600
• Feb 22 - full service including timing belt - £1,894

Mark Harrison of THF has given the car a thorough inspection and appraises it in writing as a genuine low mileage and largely unmolested example with no evidence of accident repair and only minor bodywork modifications.

Prior to consigning the car for sale, it was also given a full paint correction treatment by Pinnacle Detailing in Witney followed by a polish and wax. Their paint thickness readings suggest that the car has had some paintwork in the past but visually there is no discernible difference in the panels.

Having recently detected a faint whiff of fuel when driving, the owner has removed the fuel tank and replaced any hoses or clips that looked to have deteriorated, which seems to have resolved the issue.

He has deliberately left the brake discs untouched as he thought he’d leave it open to the new owner to decide on like-for-like replacement or an upgraded setup.

Nissan Skyline R32 GT-Rs are something of a rarity in the UK - outside of Playstation-land at least. So to find one that is in a great, largely original condition, with just minor body enhancements and showing fewer than 27,000 km (or around 16,500 miles) on the clock is like stepping in rocking horse poo!

The vendor tells us,“It drives almost like a new car, the four-wheel steering gives such sharp handling and the gearbox feels nice and tight. It really doesn’t feel 30 years old."

This slice of Gran Turismo history is the real deal and whoever buys it will be able to enjoy a full-sensory GT-R experience, as pure and analogue as Nissan intended 30 years ago. We think that to be that lucky person will need a bid between £45,000 and £55,000.

Even if you’re not a gamer, the JDM scene is immensely popular and active so you’re bound to find others who share a passion for such an awesome car.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.