How to Buy a 1957 to 2002 Nissan Skyline : Buyers Guide
KPG10(clone), R32, R33, R33 GT-R's |
The Nissan Skyline GT-R is one of those iconic cars, because it was never really(other than in limited numbers) sold outside of Japan. Its something that a lot of people have seen on videos, played in video games, and seen in magazines. Now that the "modern" Nissan Skyline GT-R, the 1989 R32 turned 25 years old in 2014, there are more than a few out there on the roads of the USA.
These JDM or Japanese domestic market cars are becoming more and more popular in the USA. Every year new and cool cars turn 25 years old. In 2020, the R33 GT-R will turn 25 years old, and be legal to import to the US. In 2024 the R34 GT-R version will turn 25 years old. From finding one at a Japanese car auction, to storing it overseas, Toprank International Vehicle Importers can help to get your dream car.
Check out a little bit of Nissan Skyline history and information about them.
1957 ALSID-1 Prince Skyline |
The first "Skyline" was actually a Prince Skyline the ALSID-1 that debuted in April 1957. Nissan and Prince merged in 1966, with the first Nissan Skyline GT-R debuting in 1969.
PGC10 aka Hakosuka
Its much more likely that you will come across a "GT-R clone"
KPGC10
KPGC10 Clone in the US |
Driving the Legend from Edmunds.
Paint Codes
While doing some research I came across this chart. Not sure if its complete, or even correct.
#905 - Red
#831 - White
#920 - Gold
#970 - Metallic Lavendar(?)
#913 - Metallic Brown
#700 - Silver
Some Z- Car Color codes.
1972 Nissan Touch Up Color Codes
KPGC110 aka Ken and Mary or Kenmeri
The final year of the Nissan Skyline GT-R was 1973. Only 197 cars were made. Here is one that was for sale for 9.9 million yen, or almost $100,000. The last one we saw at auction (May 2015 was offered at nearly $280,000) The last of the Nissan Skyline GT-R until the 1989 R32 GT-R.
R32
Group A R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R |
Buy-R.com for Nissan Skyline GT-R and GT-R parts.
Car
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R32 GT-R (early)
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R33 GT-R (normal)
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R34 GT-R (normal)
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R35 GT-R (early)
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Length
|
4545 mm (178.9 in)
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4675 mm (184.1 in)
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4600 mm (181.1 in)
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4650 mm (183.1 in)
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Width
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1755 mm (69.1 in)
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1780 mm (70.1 in)
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1785 mm (70.3)
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1900 mm (74.9 in)
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Height
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1340 mm (52.8 in)
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1360 mm (53.5 in)
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1360 mm (53.5 in)
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1370 mm (54 in)
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Weight
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1480 kg (3265 lbs)
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1530 kg (3373 lbs)
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1540 kg (3395 lbs)
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1737 kg (3829 lbs)
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Wheelbase
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2615 mm (103 in)
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2720 mm (107.1 in)
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2665 mm(104.9 in)
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2780 mm (109.4 in)
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Front track
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1480 mm (58.3 in)
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1480 mm (58.3 in)
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1480 mm (58.3 in)
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1590 mm (62.9 in)
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Rear track
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1480 mm (58.3 in)
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1480 mm (58.3 in)
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1490 mm (58.7 in)
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1600 mm (63 in)
|
R32
R32 GT-R covered by GT Channel |
The R32 GT-R debuted in August 1989 and was sold though 1994. A new version of Nissan's RB inline 6 cylinder engine powered the car. Iron block, aluminum dual overhead cam head. Sodium filled exhaust valves. Solid lifters. Six throttle bodies. Twin turbo. Oil cooled pistons. 73mm stroke with an 86 mm piston giving the RB26 2568cc of displacement. Fitting right into the Group A formula for forced induction. Short stroke, low torque, high revving. Stock most of the engines had ceramic exhaust wheels on the turbochargers, and saw about 0.7 bar of boost(500 mmHG, 10psi).
On track at Willow Springs around 1999. |
Behind the RB26DETT sat a 5 speed transmission, with internals shared with the Fairlady(300ZX). On the back of the transmission was the ATTESA transfercase, or the all wheel drive magic that made the R32 GT-R into the track monster it was. On the track for Group A, the RB26 was tuned to 550 horsepower, making it unbeatable in 29 of 29 races in Japan.
There were a total of 4555 cars sold in 1989 and 43934 cars over its whole production run.
Some areas of concern on a 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R, if you are looking to import it to the US. First off, its a 25 year old car. Not everything is going to be in as new condition, unless you pay a ton of money for the car.
Update: GT-R Registry has a full breakdown of colors and types. Check it out. They managed to get lots of the missing FAST info.
- Color Codes or Paint Codes for Nissan Skyline GT-R 1989 to 1994
- Some of these codes I haves seen in other years than listed. Have not seen an original white in an early car, but it might have been possible. the blue plate under the hood tells you the color code.
- Early 1989 to 1990 (NO white)
- #KH2 - Gun Grey Metallic
#KG1 - Jet Silver Metallic
#TH1 - Dark Blue Pearl
#AH3 - Red Pearl Metallic
#732 - Black Pearl Metallic
#KL0 - Spark Silver Metallic
#BL0 - Greyish Blue Pearl (special order)
#AN0 - Wine Red - Middle 1991 to 1992 (First white)
- #KH2 - Gun Grey Metallic
#KG1 - Jet Silver Metallic
#TH1 - Dark Blue Pearl
#AH3 - Red Pearl Metallic
#732 - Black Pearl Metallic
#326 - Cristal White
#KL0 - Spark Silver Metallic
#BL0 - Greyish Blue Pearl (special order)
#AN0 - Wine Red - Late 1993 to 1994
- #KH2 - Gun Grey Metallic
#KG1 - Jet Silver Metallic
#AH3 - Red Pearl Metallic
#732 - Black Pearl Metallic
#326 - Cristal White
#KL0 - Spark Silver Metallic
#AN0 - Wine Red
- Rust. Japan gets it
- Check around the rear fender area
- Check around the rear window
- Open the trunk look under the spare tire for any water collecting
- Fenders and hood are aluminum and a little fragile
- No matter what she says she weighs, you shouldn't let her "Whitesnake it"
- Windshields and glass are unique to the Skyline GT-R
- Does it have an aftermarket exhaust?
- How do the wheels/tires look?
- How do the brake rotors look?
- Original R32 brake rotors are cross drilled
- Later N1 rotors are solid
- The cars are all wheel drive, and the front driveshaft boots are often torn.
Interior
- Dash around the vents can lift and bubble
- Speedometer clusters
Stock 180 km/hr speedometer |
- The cars came with a 180 km/hr speedometer
- Lots of aftermarket speedometers exist. Always have to be suspect of mileage/km on an aftermarket speedo
- Always use your best judgement on mileage/km
- Look at shifter
- Look at pedals
- If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is
- Generally cars have low mileage, but 200k km cars are not unheard of
- Does it have a factory ECU?
- Its located behind the passenger side kick panel
- Does it have an aftermarket boost controller?
- Does it have an aftermarket boost gage?
- How about a huge monster tach?
Engine
- RB26DETT have oiling issues
- Check the oil level
- Look for signs of leaks
- Front main is often a cracked oil pump gear
- Half moons at the back of the engine can get brittle and leak
Half moon at the back of the engine. Hot side valve cover off |
- Turbos can leak
- Rough idle can be a sign of a vacuum leak
- 6 throttle bodies
- Injectors
- Check for a boost restrictor
- Does the car have a factory airbox?
- Does it have other aftermarket parts visible?
- Car should start easily and settle into around 1000 rpm idle
- Oil pressure at idle should be around the first hash mark, or about 30 psi
- If its not, 10 psi per 1000 rpm is generally accepted, but can be concerning
- Can be a sign of a bad sender, or leaky backing plate on the oil pump
- 4th gear often grinds. Its a straight back pull, so guys don't let the synchros do their job, and hurt them.
- An all wheel drive car can put a hurting on a transmission. A modified GT-R often breaks 3rd gear.
- The car should make about 10 psi, or about the first hash mark on the factory boost gage that reads in mmHG. If it buries the gage, then its running about 14 psi.
- If its running 14 psi or more, with the factory turbos, then their days are numbered. It might run for years, it might snap the exhaust wheel of next week. Detonate on the engine, or find the rev limiter a few too many times, and expect that life to greatly diminish.
Production/Chassis codes are below.
1989
August 1989 BNR32-000054
September 1989 BNR32-001089
October 1989 BNR32-002089
November 1989 BNR32-003027
December 1989 BNR32-004027
Variations of models
Standard-40390
Nismo-560
vspec-1453
vspecII-1303
R32 GT-R(43934 total) registration
1989-4555 1990-84261991-7081 1992-7961
1993-6204 1994-7465
Dates of Production and Prices 8-21-1989 to 2-14-1994
1st model 8-21-19894,445,000 yen Nismo 3-11-1990
4,441,000 yen
2nd model 8-20-1991
4,510,000 yen
3rd model 2-3-1993
4,545,000 yen
Vspec 2-3-1993
5,260,000 yen
Vspec II 2-14-1994
5,260,000 yen
First BNR32-000051
Last BNR32-314649
Last VSpec BNR32-313609 (10/13/94)
Last Vspec II BNR32-313930 (10/20/94)
Nismo BNR32-100000~100560
- 08/21/'89 BNR32 Shipped
- 02/22/'90 BNR32 NISMO Announced(03/11 Shipped)
- 07/19/'91 N1 BNR32 announced and shipped
- 08/20/'91 Minor change. Middle model
- 02/03/'93 Minor change Late model. V-spec added
- 02/14/'94 V-spec2 added
Finding, Buying, Exporting, Importing, Clearing, Titling, Insuring, and Registering your Nissan Skyline GT-R
Right Hand Drive -Is it legal to drive a right hand drive car in the US? The short answer is yes.The long answer is here. http://www.gtrusablog.com/2014/04/is-it-legal-to-drive-right-hand-drive.html
How to Title and Register A Nissan Skyline GT-R in the USA. - If you are looking to either import, or buy a Nissan Skyline there are a few things you should know about the title and registration process. In the United States vehicles over twenty five years old are Department of Transportation (DOT) exempt from meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards(FMVSS). At over twenty one years old cars are Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)exempt in original configuration. If the car is newer than 25 years old, it still might be possible to import it under the Show or Display exemption, but check out that page for more information.To meet California direct import requirements, the car must be older than 1975. To have a newer car meet California requirements, it is very expensive, and sometimes near impossible to comply. More information - http://www.gtrusablog.com/2014/04/how-to-title-and-register-1989-nissan.html
Why have one, when you can have two? |
NISMO R32 GT-R with NISMO option wheels. |
Not an R32 GT-R. |
R33
R33, R33, R33 |
Early R33 with 97 up headlights and Nismo Wheels |
First Date of Production
- 1st model 1-6-1995
- Vspec 1-6-1995
- 2nd model 1-22-1996
- LM Limited5-21-1996
- 3rd model 2-3-1997
- Autech 40th Anniversary12-8-1997
- Last regular R33 - BCNR33-043740 (QM1 ) 11-9-1998
- Last Vspec R33 - BCNR33-043743 (KH3) 11-9-1998
- Last Vspec R33 N1- BCNR33-043012 (QM1) 2-20-1998
Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 prices when new
- GT-R 4,7850,000 yen
- Vspec 5,290,000 yen
- N1 5,990,000 yen
- GT-R 4,825,000 yen
- Vspec 5,330,000 yen
- N1 5,990,000 yen
- LM Limited 4,998,000 yen
- Vspec LM Limited 5,503,000 yen
- GT-R 4,885,000 yen
- Vspec 5,390,000 yen
- N1 5,998,000 yen
- 4 door Sedan 4,985,000 yen
R34
Bayside Blue R34 GT-R |
A couple of the 56 R34 N1's. Automotiveforums.com |
These are registrations, and adds up to : 11577 cars
Normal(Series I and II) - 3977
Vspec - 4192
Vspec N1 - 38
GB - 80
NZ-5
HK-10
Singapore -10
Vspec II - 1855
Vspec II N1 - 18
NZ Vspec II - 2
M-Spec- 366
Vspec II Nur - 717
Mspec Nur - 285
BNR34 Color or Paint Codes
TV2- Bayside Blue |
The campaign color of the R34 Skyline GT-R was the popular TV2 - Bayside Blue. Its named Bayside, for the popular roads near the bayside of Tokyo.
EV1 - Lightning Yellow |
TV2 - Bayside Blue
QM1 - White
KR4 - Sonic Silver
KV2 - Athlete Silver
GV1 - Black Pearl
AR2 - Active Red
AR2- Active Red |
LV4 - Midnight Purple II(Only 300 produced)
LX0 - Midnight Purple III
- Why is the color called Midnight purple? Check the link out for the most likely answer.
WV2 - Sparkling Silver
QX1 - White Pearl
EY0 - Silica Breath
JWO- Millennium Jade |
JW0 - Millennium Jade
Last R34 Chassis numbers and colors
There were several different versions of the R34 Skyline GTR. From the early edition first produced in 1999, to the Z-Tune from Nismo in 2005, there were 10 different versions. There were 750 Vspec II Nur's produced, and 250 Mspec Nurs produced right at the end of the production run in 2002.
* Early
* Late
* Vspec
* Vspec N1
* Vspec II
* Vspec II N1
* Mspec
* Vspec II Nur
* Mspec Nur
* Z-Tune
Nissan Skyline GT-R prices when new
1-8-1999
* GT-R 4,998,000 yen
* Vspec 5,598,000 yen
* N1 5,998,000 yen
1-8-1999 Midnight purple II (300)
* GT-R 5,298,000 yen
* Vspec 5,898,000 yen
1-7-2000 Midnight purple III
* GT-R 5,148,000 yen
* Vspec 5,748,000 yen
8-28-2000
* GT-R 5,048,000 yen
* Vspec II 5,748,000 yen
* N1 6,098,000 yen
5-8-2001
* Mspec 5,950,000 yen
Suspension and Alignment settings for Nissan Skyline GT-R. R32, R33, and R34.
R32 GT-R Specifications and Production Information
R33 GT-R Specifications and Production Information
R34 GT-R Specifications and Production Information
RB26DETT Information
ATTESA Information