For us, this R32 Skyline GT-R a very significant vehicle. Why? Well, of
course there’s the who-could-miss-it chameleon paint job, the tasty rims and the
fully-tuned RB26 under the hood. But there’s one other real clincher...
... and you’re gonna have to read through to the end to find out what it
is!
This 1992 Japanese-market GT-R has been imported to Australia by Sydney’s
Auto Style Performance Cars. When it arrived on local shores, it was discovered
that the car had already been fitted with Ziel adjustable coil-overs, a front
suspension tower bar and an aftermarket exhaust. A few bonuses!
Domenic of Auto Style has his finger on the proverbial pulse of the modified
car scene and he nutted out a plan of attack to transform the Skyline’s aging
stock appearance into something that’d jump out at potential customers.
Phase One involved stripping back the factory paint and applying a custom
chameleon paint job. Domenic says he has records of the exact paint mix, just in
case a panel ever needs to be repainted. You can never tell when side-swipe
Sally is driving in the lane next to you...
The GT-R body flaunts a custom Auto Style body kit comprising an aggressive
front bar, side skirts and Euro-style mirrors. And note the clean-look rear.
Domenic makes the point that the standard boot lid has not merely had its wing
holes filled in - it’s a completely standard lid from a more mundane version of
the R32.
Of course, fashionable boots were deemed essential. Eighteen by ten
five-spoke 5-Zigen alloys give more than enough cred, as do the big 265/35
Falken tyres.
You can imagine that sinking feeling of the interested party when they pop
the bonnet only to find the standard engine. No worries - Domenic has that
department covered as well.
Although standard internally, the 2.6-litre DOHC six has been enhanced with
an M’s twin air filter arrangement and a locally fabricated 3-inch exhaust with
MagnaFlow mufflers. The exhaust note is deep yet sophisticated.
A bit of boost is a sure-fire way to wake up the GT-R, so Domenic has
switched to a pair of high-flow steel-wheel versions of the standard snails.
With an electronic HKS boost controller set for up to 1.5 Bar, a 6-inch thick
custom intercooler maintains sane intake air temps and a Trust blow-off valve
ensures maximum overall efficiency. Oil temperature is quelled by a Trust oil
cooler and oil filter relocation kit. An oil breather is also fitted.
The engine management system has been chipped and is working with the
standard twin hot-wire airflow meters. A Bosch 044 fuel pump and an adjustable
Malpassi fuel pressure reg ensure the right quantity of fuel fires through the
standard injectors. Adjustable cam sprockets have also aided in the search for
torque and top-end power.
So how much power are we talkin’ ere? Try about three times the output
of the average family sedan - or, to be more precise, 323kW at all four wheels
on a Dyno Dynamics chassis dyno. On a one-time-only quarter mile pass, the car
has run an 11.8 but - with the right technique and ideal conditions - Domenic is
confident of significantly better.
The standard gearbox is holding up fine even though a no-slip twin-plate
clutch does it no favours. The Ziel suspension remains in place and the brakes
are stock except for a set of Endless pads.
Domenic also realises the importance of getting the interior right - it is,
after all, where the driver has the most touchy-feely interaction with the car.
(In most cases, anyway!) Domenic has an in-house interior trim specialist who
was put to work leather-lining the standard GT-R seats along with the door trim
centres. The leather quality is top-notch and would be a credit to even the most
exotic new car. Other interior mods include an upgrade sound system, A-pillar
gauges for water temp and AFR, an in-glovebox boost gauge and a 320 km/h speedo
(the Japanese-spec 180 km/h speedo is a joke on a car like this!)
Okay, so now for the bit that you’ve been waiting for. The bit that really
makes this Skyline significant.
To recap, this Skyline GT-R runs 323kW at the wheels, features a distinctive
chameleon paint job and custom body kit, top-notch rims and a full leather
luxury trim. Sound like something exotic? It is! But – amazingly - the price tag
is lower than you’ll pay for a run-of-the-mill new Subie WRX...
Consider the price of a typical GT-R and the worth of all these added goodies
and Auto Style’s AUD$43,900 asking price is incredible value. Not so long ago,
any Skyline GT-R would’ve set you back 50k – and one with this
level of mods would’ve fetched more than 70k...
Just over 40 grand for a killer vehicle like this? Could things get any
better?!
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