Spotted: Godzilla
I spotted this rare bird while out over the memorial day weekend with my friend Paul. In order to protect the location of this exceedingly rare car, I’m going to refrain from providing any specific location. Suffice to say, it’s somewhere in Raleigh.
For those not in the know, (although if you’re reading this website, I doubt it’s the case) this is an R32-chassis Nissan Skyline GT-R. The R32 GT-R was introduced in 1989 as Nissan’s “Halo Car” in Japan. The spec sheet was impressive: 2.6L DOHC 24v I6 with twin turbos, a 5-speed manual, ATTESA All Wheel Drive, four-wheel-steering, etc etc. The RB26DETT motor cranked out “276″ horsepower. The qoutation marks are mainly due to the fact that all Japanese cars were, up until recently, restricted to 276 horsepower in a “gentleman’s agreement.” This was neverly really followed in practice, and conservative estimates of the original GT-R put it at somewhere around 300 crank horsepower.
While this is hardly impressive when compared to today’s 480 (yeah, right) horsepower GT-R, the R32 was a revolution when it came out in 1989. Performance was simply blistering. The all-wheel-traction of the GT-R combined with the close-ratio gearbox, 8000rpm rev limit, and copious power added up to a 4.8 second 0-60 sprint as well as amazing grippy yet forgiving handling.
Why the name Godzilla? Well, it’s clearly a racially-tinged nickname, but an apt one. The original GT-R was famous for being an absolute murderer on the racetrack.
When it debuted in the JTCC (Japanese Touring Car Championship) in 1989, it took 29 wins from 29 starts. It eventually lead to the break-up of traditional JTCC racing and the formation of the JTCC and Supertouring (later GT500) classes. It also kicked ass and took names abroad. It was famous for pissing off racers in foreign countries. The first year it participated in the 1,000km Mount Panorama endurance race in Bathurst, Australia, it took the podium. The next year they ladened it with 220lbs of ballast and fitted a boost-restricting pop-off valve. It still took the podium. In 1990 it led the Macau Grand Prix Guia race from start to finish, which caused authorities to laden it down with 309 lbs of ballast to even out the competition - to make it fair for the Europeans who previously dominated the event. So, like Godzilla - it’s Japanese, comes to your town, f*cks your sh*t up, then leaves. Perfect.
This particular GT-R looks like it’d been ridden hard and put up wet, but the body is in good shape. Obviously the engine is not in it, but apparently the motor is being stored elsewhere on the premises during a rebuild. Here’s hoping some rich enthusiast out there has the dedication to keep this car running and terrorizing the locals! I’m sure that right-hand-drive is a hoot, too.
And of course, me and the GT-R.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:10 am
You honestly might not believe it, but (that’s your fault) I saw a brand new Nissan GT-R on I-40 today on my way to Wilmington with some friends. I almost crashed because i turned completely around to soak in as much of its beauty as i could. It’s a real shame that it was going the other way. If it had been going the same way as me, I would have been more than happy to have my @$$ handed to me by this magnificent (yet WAYY too heavy) piece of artwork they call an automobile.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:54 am
in many ways, though, seeing a new GT-R isn’t nearly as special. These cars simply never existed in this country; it’s like a five-leaf clover. The new GT-R will be rare, but not this rare. I doubt I’ll see another one of these within the next 3 years.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
so the beast was abandoned or was it owned by someone ?
September 4th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
it’s owned by someone, although i’m not sure who’s it is. Apparently the engine was being built and was stored elsewhere on the premises.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Lucky for me I saw and sat in a mint condition R-34 V-Spec this year, an R-34 GT-R last year, and I’ll probably see a few more this year. I want one though. :3
Maybe i’ll give up and lean in on a new GT-R, I was impressed after riding in it.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
[...] were previously based on the old-fashioned Skyline chassis. For an example of an early GT-R, read this post. The new GT-R, which drops the Skyline prefix, is significant for many reasons. Most [...]
September 27th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Dude, try to get me the owner’s contact info, If he;s just gonna leave it abandoned, i’ll add another RHD Nissan to my stable.