1999 NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R BNR34

Considered to represent the peak of the famed Japanese 1990s turbo era, Nissan’s BNR34-series Skyline GT-R has become an icon of a time when analogue performance cars ruled the world. This amuses some, given many pundits called the twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive two-door the “digital supercar” thanks to its advanced drive systems and sci-fi details like the on-board G-meter.

While the factory rated the 2.6-litre, twin-turbocharged, DOHC RB26DETT engine at just 206kW (thanks to a gentleman’s agreement among Japanese manufacturers) right through the BN-series GT-R’s 1988-2002 life-span, the reality is more than 375kW could be produced with little more than bolt-on external parts. The BN-series GT-Rs are famed world-over for their ability to be built into outright race cars with fundamentally simple modifications. The 1999-2002 fifth-generation R34 range featured significant mechanical and styling upgrades over the prior R32 “Godzilla” and R33-series Skyline GT-Rs, with more aggressive wide wheel-arches and squared-off body styling. They were sold in varying trim levels, including base, V-Spec, lightweight N1, as well as the M-spec, Nur-spec and Z-tune limited editions.

With the newest examples almost 20 years of age, finding solid, clean and lightly-modified examples of the ultimate BNR-series GT-Rs is increasingly difficult. As the American market snaps up these late-model collectables values for RB26-powered GT-R Skylines is increasing weekly.

This 1999 example presents in classic white-with-black-interior colour scheme, and shows sympathetic, period modifications. These include an A’PEXi Power FC ECU (with hand-controller), mild BC Racing 264-degree camshafts, cold-air intake, HKS pod filters, Nismo twin-plate clutch, HKS coilovers, A’PEXi AVCR boost controller, SR JASMA muffler, GRT exhaust system, and desirable TE37SL wheels.

Showing 123,000km and tuned to run a very conservative 1bar (14.5psi) boost pressure (standard is 1.2bar), it has undergone a recent mechanical check, including dyno and compression test, which it passed with flying colours. One castor rod, the front undertray and the steering rack boots have been replaced with new Nissan pieces, while the Getrag six-speed gearbox mount has been upgraded with a factory Nismo item.

Inside the well-appointed cabin is a Viper alarm, Nismo mats and gauge cluster, plus an Auto Meter boost gauge. A dry carbon R34 GT-R V-spec diffuser has been mounted under the stock rear bar, while Xenon headlights and factory R34 GT-R Brembo brakes complement other cosmetic upgrades.