Class: Sports Compact
Rivals: Mitsubishi Evo 6, Subaru Impreza S5, Audi S4 MKI, BMW M3 E36
Engines: Petrol, 2.0, 2.5, 2.5Turbo, 2.6 Turbo (GT-R), 2.8 (400bhp)
Gearbox: 4 Speed Auto, 5 Speed Auto, 5 Speed Manual
Awards: A R33 GT-R Lapped Nordschleife in 7 mins and 59seconds!! That's Award Enough!!
OK the keen eyed blogger may have noticed that the video is actually of the R34 around the Nurburgring but its still very cool and gives a very good idea of the challenge of the Nordschleife!
The R33 Skyline was launched in 1993 as successor to the very popular R32 and although heavier, did come with 6 cylinder engines from 2liter up and there was also a 4pot 1.8liter available!
The very 1st Skyline rolled off the production line of the Prince Motor Company in 1957 which went on to become Datsun and then Nissan. It wasn't until the 1980s that the Skyline legacy really took off with the introduction of the R31!! A 2 liter turbo, rear wheel drive beast!
The R33 was seen as the every day sports car, it was the 1st in its class to have airbags fitted (post 1996). Parts are interchangeable and very affordable and easy to source!
The Straight 2 liter model boasts 130bhp standard and its not unheard of to hear of a R33 tuned to over 1000bhp!!!
The 130bhp R33 will not set the world alight, but it is enough fun and has enough power to light the rear tyres when required and you will not be left short on over taking. A bit more torque would be nice but you can always fit a 2.5 turbo engine for less than €1000!!!
They are easy to source cars 2nd hand and if your brave enough to import directly from Japan yourself, you can save a small fortune, but you will have the hassle of paying VAT (because your importing from outside the EU), VRT, NCT and if you can put up with all that, not exactly knowing what you are getting! If you have the patience to do it, we would recommend it, but if you don't there are plenty of specialised importers of Japanese cars along the Ports in Dublin or in the UK.
The Skyline has always been the boy racers wet dream, and we would reckon tongue in cheek that there are a disproportionate amount of middle aged women down as owning several Skylines around the country!!
There isn't a petrol head on the planet that will not raise more than a passing glance as one of these cars pass!
Take time to watch the video because its is serious driving and remember, the speedometer is in MPH, not KPH!!
Here at Allparts.ie, we will be adding one of these to our ever expanding virtual car collection!
Gary
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