Stop Pining Over The R34 And Go Buy This Gorgeous 1971 Skyline GT-R That You Can Drive Today

When it comes to unobtainium, the Nissan Skyline is right up there in America. The R32 and early versions of the R33 are just now legal here in the United States and the market is booming. Even though the R34 isn’t legal here yet, it’s seeing a bump as well. Still, for the money, this stunning 1971 GT-R with almost 200 wheel-horsepower might be the better buy, if you can live with the steering wheel on the opposite side.

For the unaware, the 1971 Skyline GT-R is widely credited as the first highly-desirable Skyline. It was the first two-door Skyline GT-R and used a 2.0-liter engine that made 169-ish horsepower when new. That isn’t much today (though it is more than a brand new Nissan Sentra) but back then, it was astonishing.

This car was, in many ways, the genesis for future classics like the R32, R33, R34, and R35 GT-R. What’s more, this example isn’t just a restored car that you need to keep in your garage. It’s a driver’s car. Under the hood is an L28 inline-six engine with a Kameari Engine Works 3.0-liter stroker kit. It produces 186 horsepower at the rear wheels. That’s a big boost over the stock figure.

Related: QOTD: What Should Nissan Do Next With the GT-R?

It also makes 200 ft-lbs of torque to the rear wheels and we know these things because included in the sale is a dyno sheet. Power is transferred to those tires through a five-speed manual transmission. Coilovers sit at the front while adjustable shocks keep things in line at the rear. This little GT-R sounds like a joy to drive.

In 2019, the car was torn down to a shell and completely restored. Photos from the work are also a part of the sale and show just how far the GT-R has come since its original rusted-out condition. The interior was crusty and dusty when the restoration began. Now it’s full of rich leather, functional switchgear, and new floor mats.

This might not be a twin-turbo six-cylinder M-Spec R34 in Midnight Purple but we think it’s just as cool. What’s even better is that there’s no waiting line or crazy paperwork to fill out to get it here. It’s available right now on BringATrailer with a current bid of $50,666.