1990 R32 GTR NISMO
1990 R32 GTR NISMO
One of 560 built for Group A Homologation.
In exceptional condition.
NISMO bits everywhere.
Yes, they are genuine LM GT Magnesium wheels.
#100284
Come the mid 1980’s Japan was well and truly on the ascendancy to greatness. Toyota,Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Nissan all had some form of a competitive Group A and Group C Sports program, but Nissan was dominant in neither. Nissan also had lofty aspirations for a road going supercar and the most efficient and logical way to achieve this, was to make their homologation spec’ car something very special; enter the iconic R32 GTR, AKA Godzilla.
It’s a well-known fact that the GTR was very effective wherever it raced; An undefeated, 29 wins straight in the JTCC, winning 4 x Group 1 Championships, winning the 1991 Spa 24Hr by 19 laps and winning the 1991 and 1992 ATCC and Bathurst 1000, pays testimony to that fact.
Courtesy of Nissan wanting to kick some butt on the street and in the sales room, the road going variant was also quite the winner, with an astounding 43,937 of these twin-turbo, AWD, multi acronymed monsters, being sold from 1989 to 1994. Of that startling number, a few limited runs were produced with NISMO, N1, V-Spec, V-Spec II and the 106 that were officially sold outside of Japan, making their way down to Australia known as the ADM’s.
If you are going to park your money up in a high-volume sporting classic (Think E-type, Mustang, Corvette etc.) and your budget can stretch it, pick the best of the bunch (Think 1961 E-Type, 1965 – 66 Shelby Mustang, 1963 or 1965 “Fuellie” Corvette) and if that model served a sporting purpose (AKA Homologation) then all the better. Common sense says that the NISMO was probably going to be called the R32 GTR EVO, but Mitsubishi had that EVOcative title snookered away, so honouring Nissan’s Motorsport division (Nissan-Motorsport = NIS-MO) was a great 2nd best.
The NISMO was built to cater for the Group A Evolution homologation requirements of 500 units, as some upgraded aero, cooling and weight loss issues needed certification. In true Nissan form, 560 units were built, with the extra 60 likely to cover a few not being registered or getting turned into racers; In Japanese culture, more-so than anywhere else I have travelled, you follow the rules and if only 499 cars showed up on the Japanese registration books, that would be dis-honour!
So NISMO created 560 cars with the following specs’:
The VIN is unique, starting with a “1” then the sequential number up to 00560.
The Model designation was unique, titled an “RA”.
The aero changes were subtle, as managing heat was seemingly the imperative, on a heavy, powerful AWD car with a very generous tyre allowance:
A protruding lip on the leading edge of the bonnet, to minimise drag above it and manage airflow into the radiator below it.
A Gurney flap on the trailing edge of the bonnet, to minimise drag and perhaps manage airflow under the spoiler situated above it, complimenting its ability to act as a wing.
Twin ducts on the high-pressure area on the front bumper, forcing air into the radiator, intercooler and oil coolers.
Mesh removed from the air duct below the bumper, to maximise airflow into the radiator, intercooler and oil coolers.
Enlarged side skirts were used, to deflect air away from rear tyres.
Weight loss was also on the agenda;
The radio was removed, but could be retro-fitted as an option.
The rear wiper was removed and standard R32 glass fitted.
ABS was illegal in Group A, so was mostly removed.
AC was kept, as they needed to sell 500+ of these VERY quickly.
Some cool stuff was needed;
All cars were a stealthy KH2 Pearl Grey.
A nifty NISMO decal on the rear let people know you were in something a bit special.
NISMO decal gauges were an option.
NISMO engine strut brace was an option.
Finally, some power was needed;
The ceramic turbined Garrett T03 was removed and the slightly slower spooling, but much more robust T04, with steel turbines gave the car some more oomph and some fun 1980’s type turbo lag.
The NISMO we proudly have for sale #284 of 560 was restored in her mother country and the home of NISMO NOS parts, then imported to Melbourne, Australia in 2020. Like most Victorians, the car sensibly migrated to QLD, finding itself in the ownership of an individual who wanted a factory correct NISMO in excellent condition, to turn into a NISMO factory correct hot rod.
To quote the current owner; “I bought every single thing NISMO sold, that applied to the R32 GTR”. Sounds like fun right?! Anyway, It turned out to be a somewhat expensive exercise and marque experts like Brisbane’s GT Garage, were utilised to get the car fettled. Having driven the GTR, I must admit, it is very special and somewhat satisfying, being an all NISMO creation. The aesthetic is bang on too. Love those ultra-rare LM GT Magnesium wheels and opening the car up, gets every JDM guy nodding; This GTR is the right flavour of rice…
Don’t fret, factory correct types! All of the original 1989 parts come with the car and are sitting in the NISMO boxes, giving the new owner the option of taking off the NISMO hot-rod bits, selling them off in near pristine condition, if they wished to recoup some cash.
With only 96K K’s showing, #284 drives every bit as good as it looks and is perfect as a fast driver, loaded with correct NISMO parts, or can be converted back to NISMO 1990 correct, for those who like their rare cars factory correct.
Owner has had his fun and a new challenge beckons, so come check her out and then make this beautiful Godzilla yours.