.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
There have been many JDM cars throughout automotive history, much to our delight. Although that makes it wonderfully challenging to pick a favorite, there is one ride that stands out from the others. If you were to ask gearheads to make lists of their dearest JDMs, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R would appear at the top of most of them.
Today, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is practically a legend. It comes from a lineup introduced in 1957 by Japan's Prince Motor Company. Skyline was in production until 1966, when Prince and Nissan merged and changed the badging for the same lineup, and though it had its stunning moments, gearheads mostly remember it as the base for the famous GT-R that arrived in 1999.
There are many reasons why the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R became so widely loved and praised. Since the beginning, this ride has had an outstanding performance and incredibly handsome looks. The company also built it in limited numbers, which further increased the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R's appeal to the public.
But what exactly made this sports car reach a six-number price tag more than 20 years after its introduction?
The Magnificent Predecessors Of The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R
As mentioned, the Nissan Skyline arrived in 1957 and was available as a four-door sedan or a five-door station wagon. After the merge in 1966, Nissan adjusted the nameplate to become racing oriented and added the famous GT-R badging. The sedan became a race car, and history was in the making.
The first generation Nissan Skyline boasted an inline-six engine producing 160 horsepower. It was an excellent touring car that won about 52 races during three years of competition in Japan's domestic touring races.
The next models that followed from 1973 to 1986 were the C110, the R30, and the R31. These three models gradually brought more body styles, better specs, and enhanced design, but it was the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R that truly announced the famous R34.
The R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R came with an inline-six engine producing 280 horsepower and an all-wheel drive. Although it wasn't available in America, everyone knew about it, especially because of the incredible racing success. The R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R won 29 races in a row over four seasons of the Japanese Touring Car Championship.
That amazing ride and the following R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R practically paved the way for the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R. The R33 was another star in a row with more capable specs, faster acceleration, better weight distribution, and more. But in the end, the R34 stole the show.
The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R In Detail: The Car That Made European Rides Sweat
But the R34 Nissan Skyline has not become so popular (and supercar expensive) just because of its rich history. With the famed RB26DETT twin-turbo I6 engine, a shorter wheelbase, and a more streamlined body, this sports car was very special itself.
The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R was able to produce an impressive 280 horsepower and had the latest tech on the market to compliment the power output. First and foremost, an intelligent all-wheel drive system with a limited slip rear differential (LSD) helped the car achieve greater speed in corners. Another one of the significant features was a multi-function display, which was quite advanced at the time and could show engine stats such as oil temperature and boost pressure.
Basically, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R stood as an excellent performer and a very handsome ride many wanted for themselves. However, the production numbers were low, and only the lucky ones got to drive this sports car. Today, that makes it even harder for fans to acquire the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R.
Does The Cult Behind The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R Justify The Six-Figure Price Tag?
With the impressive specs and performance, the rich history behind it, the handsome looks, and the limited production, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R's value only increased over time. It also helped that the car appeared in the famous Fast and Furious franchise and the Grand Turismo video game.
All of this brings us to the current price of the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R, which easily goes over $300,000. Yes, you read that right. This was the cost of two R34 rides sold on Bring a Trailer last year. The numbers don't go under $100,000 in any case, and the bidding can easily surpass $300,000.
So, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R comes at a price of a modern supercar. You can actually get the completely new Ferrari Roma for that price — as well as many other rides. Is the pricing right, then?
We're not the ones to judge, and it will mostly come down to everyone's personal preferences. Indeed, the six-figure price tag seems like too much, but on the other hand, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is a special ride. In the end, as the price continues to rise, that means many people think this sports car is worth it.