A trio of Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 ‘Godzilla’ coupes are set to go under the hammer in Melbourne next month, with the collection valued at up to $272,000.
All three GT-Rs come from the a single 'well-known' collector, who is selling one in each of the factory original colours - Jet Silver, Black Pearl and Red Pearl - and each expected to fetch between A$70,000 to $85,000 (NZ$74,800 to $90,800) when they're offered with no reserve in Shannons Winter Classic Auction on July 16.
Adding to their desirability, the collection of GT-R R32s are three of 100 models factory-delivered to Australia in the early 1990s.
Australian models were distinguished from Japanese-delivered models by slight specification changes to comply with Australian Design Rule compliance, their national standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions. These included unique badging ('S' logos swapped for Nissan badges on the bonnet), outer tail lamp lenses, Maxima stereo and Bosch roof-mounted aerials.
But all models were fitted with the same all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering system, and powered by the same turbocharged RB26 engine. The 2.6-litre in-line six-cylinder engine was quoted conservatively at 191kW in the early 1990s - but in reality output was closer to 224kW, all the while R32 GT-Rs could easily be tuned to achieve 373kW in full race trim.
Thanks to the GTR's dominance in the Australian Touring Car Championships, with three successive titles from 1990-1992 and victories at Bathurst in 1991 and 1992, the Skyline earned the nickname ‘Godzilla’.
Following their first Bathurst success, each was sold new by selected Nissan dealers at a price of nearly A$110,000.
This Australian-spec Jet Silver Nissan GT-R R32 (#22/100) is believed to have been delivered originally to Nissan’s factory racing team.
It's said to be in 'excellent condition throughout', with just 82,000-km showing on its odometer.
The Black Pearl Metallic GT-R R32 (#46/100) was delivered to its first owner on the Gold Coast in June 1992 and remains in original factory specification, other than its larger sports exhaust system.
Shannons say the car comes with its original delivery books and is in good overall condition but would really sparkle with some extra elbow grease.
The Red Pearl Metallic GT-R R32 (#76/100) is described as in well-maintained, factory original condition. After long-term ownership it joining the Nissan collection with approximately 190,000km on its odometer and comes with its delivery books, a large receipts file and an original GT-R key.
Australian-delivered Nissan GT-R R32s in factory original condition are now very rare and highly sought-after among enthusiasts. Production of the R32 GT-R Skyline ceased in November 1994, with 43,937 cars built between 1989 and 1994.
