Why the R34 Skyline GT-R is one of the world’s greats During the 90s, Japan was the definitive place in creating the ultimate performance cars. Sure Italian cars had more passion, German Cars were better engineered and Britain had launched the game-changing McLaren F1, but bang for buck performance in the 90s, Japan was simply unbeatable. Many legendary Japanese-built cars, like the Honda NSX, Toyota Supra, Subaru Impreza, and Mitsubishi Evo, came from the 90s. But sitting comfortably atop the rest was the technological tour-de-force, the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This all-wheel drive 2.6L RB26DETT 276hp twin-turbo straight six monster was originally conceived to smash Fords and Holdens at the Australian Bathurst series. But when it was imported, most were shocked to discover that round a track and on a back road it left Europe’s finest in the dust. The Skyline GT-R was built from 1989-2002 in three iterations: the R32, the R33, and what most consider the peak, the R34. The R34 introduced a limited-slip differential and an updated HICAS system to give drivers a real feel of power and grip. Though Nissan claimed it was producing no more power than its predecessors, in reality, it produced 320hp. The result was 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph. Small wonder this car eventually became an icon for the Fast and Furious franchise. It was because of the peaks set by the R34 that eventually, 6 years after its withdrawal, Nissan would once again return to benchmark performance with the R35 GT-R. The Skyline GT-R defined the word benchmark performance, and very few cars since have ever been able to truly define that world. Who are Built by Legends: The Ultimate Skyline Restorers Built by Legends is a Japanese automotive company that specializes in high-end restomods of iconic JDM legends. In particular, they are known for enhancing performance, luxury and handling of classic Skyline GT-Rs. To build such bespoke masterpieces they collaborate with top Japanese tuning firms like Mine's and Garage Yoshida. Their builds are specially tailored for JDM enthusiasts and collectors as a reminder of Japan’s peak in the 90s. In particular, the R34 restomod you see above. Retro-Design: Both inside and out To start with, the owner will supply “Built By Legends” with a Skyline R34 GT-R. They then do a full 3D scan of the body and create a digital blueprint that guides the entire process. The car is then taken apart, the chassis stripped down, and wet blasted before being handed to Garage Yoshida. They then add extra strength and reinforcements with new strut towers and hundreds of spot welds. This gives the R34 proper modern structural integrity. Finally, five layers of “Bayside Blue” or equivalent paint are added to complete the exterior restoration. But equally as impressive as the exterior is the interior. BBL fit a two-tone Ultrasuede upholstery in black and navy, as well as a new D-Shape steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara and Nappa leather. In addition, aluminium pedals are milled to create a sleek high-performance look and the cabin is fitted with many modern luxuries such as sat-nav, sound and heat insulation and even climate control so the car can be used on a daily basis or on long drives. But this car is not just all show and no go. Performance and Handling of a true GT-R Under the bonnet, BBL have replaced the R34’s 2.6l RB26DETT twin-turbo straight-six with a brand new MINE’s MB7 2.8-liter twin-turbo straight-six. BBL also integrated a carbon fibre intake and advanced ECU to boost airflow and improve efficiency. The result is a power increase from 320 horsepower to a whopping 650 horsepower. Paired with a Getrag six-speed manual transmission, this car will now go from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 200mph. That doesn’t just make it faster than the R34, but faster than any R35 variant of GT-R. But as we know, Skyline GT-Rs aren’t about straight-line speed but immense grip in the corners. So in addition to the extra power, BBL have upgraded the braking and suspension systems with six-piston callipers up front and four pistons at the rear. With 356mm rotors on both sets of brakes. In addition, the suspension features new bushings, bearings and a Type S sport suspension setup from Aragosta. Custom 18-inch ray wheels with high Bridgestone Potenza tyres complete the recipe. Couple all this together and this car grips with even more force and ferociousness than its predecessor. Cost for a Legend Now you’d imagine all these upgrades would come at a cost and they do. To purchase a BBL GT-R you’ll have to set aside a whopping $450,000. That doesn’t include the base car’s cost, which today is around $130,000. That’s $680,000 in total for a 90s Nissan. Sounds like a rip-off on the face of it, but look at what your purchasing. Not only the most powerful GT-R ever built but also a tribute to the JDM legends of the 90s. Sometimes you can’t put a price on true engineering marvels. And the BBL R34 Skyline GT-R is a key example of that. A 90s legend is truly reborn. Source: TopGear
