1996 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R Coupe

The Nissan Skyline GT-R was introduced in 1989 and was built specifically to contest Group A. It dominated the Australian racing scene, earning the nickname 'Godzilla' and, ultimately, banishment from the ATCC. The R32 made its debut in June 1990 at Mallala and although it showed early potential, it wasn't until 1991 that everything came together for the team and drivers Jim Richards and Mark Skaife, winning the Bathurst enduro.

For 1992, race regulations reduced boost bar and increased minimum weight, but the R32 was able to overcome and continued its winning ways, including a repeat victory at Bathurst.

In road-going guise, the R32 came equipped with a twin-turbo RB26DETT in-line six engine paired with a 4WD system and HICAS all-wheel steering. Production began in 1989 and continued with the advent of the R33 evolution of the Skyline series, debuting in August 1993. The styling of the R33 was penned by Kozo Watanabe and production ran 1993 to 1998.

In 1995, Motoharu Kurosawa drove the R32 GT-R around the Nürburgring's Nordschleife circuit and claimed its fastest road-legal production car title, a record broken in 1996 by a R33 GT-R V-Spec model, driven by Dirk Schoysman.

Tommykaira
Founded in 1968 as Tomita Auto, it would eventually become Tommykaira, earning a reputation for its tuning car prowess. Tommykaira was launched in 1986 by its founders Tomita Yume Koujou and Kikuo Kaira, which is where the moniker Tommykaira came to fruition.

With the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Tommykaira offered 3 stages of treatment, the entry-level being the 'Look' package, followed by the medium 'Basic' package and the top-of-the-line variant called the 'Full Spec R.'

This particular 1996 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R 'Tommykaira' R is finished in Sonic Silver (KR4). It is believed that sixteen examples of the 'Full Spec R' models were built. This package consists of a bespoke aero kit including front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and a rear spoiler with a carbon fiber center section. It rides on TK branded multi-piece 18-inch alloy wheels, has a sports exhaust system, and its engine delivers an impressive 400 horsepower (up from the standard 276 horsepower). The interior houses a TK custom steering wheel, shift knob and special gauge cluster and sports meters. Exclusive options made available to the 'Full Spec R' package and included in this example include the optional Tommykaira Sport seats, quick connect club harnesses, enhanced braking option (Brembo ARB), sports radiator, and carbon fiber taillight garnish.

This Skyline R33 GT-R currently has 65,730 kilometers (40,842 miles) on its odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023