Keep in mind these things are expensive. I've seen some priced at $80,000 and that came with the original engine, transmission, and was owned by one person. I found another one in fair condition for $15,000. These people know what they have when they own one of these. The good thing about this car is that you can bring them here without having any smog problems. I've stopped at least four different people from trying to steal my wheels in Japan because they're the original magnesium version that includes the lug nuts and everything!
I didn't go through any loopholes. I did everything the right way when it came to importing this over. I kept up with all of the requirements so I knew I was right. Since I've had the car here, I've thought about putting an RB26 into it, which basically drops right in. However, that conversion requires a slight modification of the front bumper to accept an intercooler, which I'm not sure I want to do yet. For now, I'm going to keep it a 2.8L, but I want to use a '82-'83 280ZX turbocharger on it. I couldn't even change the color of the car while I was living in Japan. Body shops would tell me to go somewhere else if I wanted to paint it any color other than the original color. That's how respected these Skylines are.
Fast FactsOwner Wayne Rockhold
Home Town Pace, Florida
Ride '71 Nissan Skyline GT-R
Daily Grind Owner of Wayne's Performance
Under The Hood HKS camshafts, custom flat top pistons, N42 cylinder head with custom headwork by Tuning Spirits, Bozz Speed intake manifold, triple 44mm Mikuni carburetors, polished air horns, 3-inch exhaust with HKS Super Drager muffler, 6-2-1 custom header, Kameari ignition and distributor, Ultra 8mm spark plug wires, billet aluminum pulleys, Motorsports Auto fuel pump block off plate, Clutch Masters dual friction clutch, TC 200 limited-slip differential, 75-shot NOS Sneaky Pete nitrous kit
Stiff Stuff Gab shocks, Tanabe antisway bars and bushings
Rollers 14-inch Watanabe 7J (front) and 15-inch Watanabe 10J (rear) wheels; Dunlop SP8000 195/55R14 (front) and Nitto 555R 275/50R15 (rear) tires
Stoppers Endless brake pads
Outside All original, factory condition
Inside Custom panel for nitrous switch and air/fuel monitor, Autometer Monster Tach with shift light, head temperature, exhaust temperature, and oil temperature gauges; Omori oil temperature, oil pressure, and water temperature gauges; Kameari fuel pressure gauge, Edelbrock air/fuel monitor, Rzo pedals, RCI racing harnesses
Props Magic Machine Shop, B and B Construction Company, Shinji Shinzato, Donald Robieds, Toshio, Tony Barela, Ryu Wayne Jr., a big thanks to Javier Tirado of SpeedzoneFL.com, Hiroko, Elizabeth, Sly, and the staff of Wayne's Performance
"They even threatened to kill me, especially because an American had taken such a precious car out of their country."
"This Skyline is very nostalgic and is a huge part of the Japanese heritage."
"These were originally made during the early '70s for the emperor of Japan."