Paul Walker’s custom-spec R34 smashes records at auction for cult Nissan Skyline GT-R
The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R driven by Paul Walker in the ‘Fast and Furious’ movie franchise (2009) has sold for a record-breaking $US1.357 million ($A2m) at auction in Belgium.
By our reckoning, that makes it the most expensive Skyline GT-R on the planet.
Sold by Bonhams last weekend, the car was one of more than half a dozen Skylines used to make the film (the fourth instalment), but the only genuine GT-R involved in the production.
Built to Walker’s own personal specification by Kaizo Industries, the modifications were extensive, running to a Turbonetics front-mount intercooler, NISMO NE-1 exhaust system and elevated boost pressure.
The result was 410kW of power from the rebuilt RB26DETT.
Other mods included NISMO lowering springs, ARC titanium strut brace, custom roll cage, Rotora brakes and Volk Racing RE30 19-inch wheels.
There’s also a NISMO Version II bumper with side skirts, East Bear bonnet, rear seat delete, Momo Sport Alcantara steering wheel, NISMO V-Spec pedals, custom head-up display, MFD Xenarc display, Sony head unit and OMP custom racing seats with five-point belt system.
Imported and registered in the US via a loophole, the car was seized by Border Force immediately after the movie’s production wrapped up in 2008.
It wasn’t released until 2012 in the fallout from a lengthy legal battle.
The car was exported to Germany that same year and has been kept as a collector’s item ever since, with the OMP driver’s seat apparently still in Walker’s driving position from the film.
“The car has seen very little use in recent years and has been a very popular exhibit at the Munich Motorworld, with fans coming from far and wide to see this iconic car,” Bonhams said in the auction listing.
“In recent years, notably, it has been wrapped in a paint protection film. The GT-R is running but as with any car that has been on static display for some time, we advise servicing and recommissioning before it is used in anger.”
The winning bid for Walker’s Skyline beat the previous GT-R auction record by some $250,000, even before auction and transfer fees were factored in.
The R34 Skyline GT-R was deemed “the most iconic Japanese car ever” in 2016, ahead of the Toyota Supra and Subaru Impreza WRX.
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Keyword: ‘Fast and Furious’ Nissan Skyline GT-R sells for $2 million