1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34

The Story

To enthusiasts who grew up on video games and JDM legend, no car carries quite the mystique of the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R. Launched in January 1999, it was the final, most refined evolution of the Skyline GT-R bloodline before the nameplate went on hiatus, and its boxy, purposeful silhouette became instantly iconic.

Under the hood sat the famous 2.6-liter twin-turbo RB26DETT inline-six. Officially Nissan quoted just 276 horsepower, the ceiling agreed among Japanese manufacturers, but everyone knew the real figure was higher and that the engine could swallow far more boost. Power reached all four wheels through the ATTESA E-TS Pro all-wheel-drive system and the Super-HICAS four-wheel steering, technology that made the heavy coupe astonishingly agile.

A dash-mounted multifunction display showed boost, oil temperature and g-forces in real time, a futuristic touch that delighted a generation raised on Gran Turismo. The hotter V-Spec models added stiffer suspension and aerodynamic tweaks for serious track work.

Because it was never officially sold new in the United States, the R34 GT-R took on forbidden-fruit status for American fans. As examples cross the 25-year import threshold, values have soared into six figures, cementing the R34 as one of the most coveted Japanese performance cars ever built.