Top Reasons Why Brian’s Skyline (Nissan R34 GT-R) is a Supercar

You know, it’s wild to think about, but the iconic 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R that Paul Walker drove in the 2009 Fast and Furious movie just went up for auction and sold for a staggering $1,357,000. That car is a total JDM legend. Brian O’Conner picked it up from a used car dealership after his Dodge Stealth was trashed, and he customized it extensively. He gave it that good-looking blue paint job, the GT-R badge, and some performance upgrades. We’re talking a C-West body kit, HRE rims, and even a nitrous system.

Under the hood, it had a 2.6-liter RB26DETT twin-turbo engine that put out about 330 hp stock, but with the right mods, it was pushing 420-450 hp. With 165mph top speed, it isn’t the fastest car by today’s standards, but it was quick by then. Brian really put it through its paces—he won that big Miami street race and even pulled off that crazy bridge jump. Unfortunately, the car got impounded after a police chase. With its advanced all-wheel-drive, Ohlins suspension, and that high-end Clarion audio system, the R34 was just a perfect blend of serious performance and pure movie magic.

For a lot of us car enthusiasts, this whole journey started back in 2003 with 2 Fast 2 Furious, a film that really cemented its place as a cornerstone of the car movie genre.

Nissan Brian’s Skyline is an Important Part of Paul Walker’s Legacy

The second movie from the Fast and Furious franchise did not leave a mark like some of the others in terms of cinematography.

However, it cemented the relationship between Paul Walker, car enthusiasts, and the iconic character he played in the popular franchise, Brian O’Conner.

Walker’s death in November 2013 has added another emotional layer to the way fans of the series view the car. It is safe to say that Brian’s Nissan Skyline is an integral part of his character.

Brian favors Japanese coupés like the Toyota Supra from the first movie, while Dom (Dominic Toretto), portrayed by Vin Diesel, is more about American muscle cars like the 1970 Dodge Charger from the first movie. While it might be hard to find a 1970 Charger, you can definitely find some used Chargers for under 20K.

Interestingly, the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R had a solid following even before the franchise was launched. However, it was only recently that it became possible to import the car legally in the US. Japan and Europe never had such restrictions in place.

The 5th generation of the Skyline range was launched in January 1999. While some models take time to find their audience, that was not the case here.

In terms of specs, the 2-door coupé has a front engine. Moreover, thanks to the 276 HP engine, the sports car can go from 0 to 60 in barely 4 seconds. While this in itself is quite impressive, Nissan still wanted more and kept improving the model over the years. One of the best street racing car versions like the GT-R Series 2 and Nismo Z-Tune have added to this innovation lineage.

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R: A Modern Car

The legacy of Brian’s Skyline is about more than a feature in a popular movie franchise or specs that will please sports car enthusiasts.

Read Also: 10 Cheap Sports Cars Under $45K

It is also the story of a car that always had its eyes turned towards the future. Some automobile aficionados even call it avant-gardiste for introducing different technologies to the market. Features like the processing system and data capture were easily accessible thanks to the digital display.

These pluses cannot be neglected because they help track the overall performance of the car. Being forward-looking has a lot to do with efficiency, and the dynamic engine management system is a great illustration of that concept.

Japanese designer and engineer Kozo Watanabe marked a real turning point for sports cars in the country. The Nismo Z-Tune, which came out in 2003, sought to improve on most aspects of the 2 fast 2 furious skyline specs.

Marketing was also a key element of the car’s success. Nissan did not hesitate to release special versions. This clever tactic always kept the brand in the spotlight. The different versions that were put out over the years helped Nissan reach different markets in a smarter way.

Why is Brian’s Nissan Skyline legendary?

One component cannot make up the legacy of a supercar. It is the alignment of certain elements that put the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R where it is with supporters around the globe. The ban in the United States played in its favor. The illegal angle was appealing to many people for a while.

• The engine (a 2.6-liter inline six-cylinder) is next-level in terms of power. The force of the engine was a factor in the ban.
• It appeals to the masses thanks to the fact that it is a cultural powerhouse. Fast and Furious and other franchises like Need for Speed have put the model front and center. If you truly love to have the GT-R R34 car, you can get a LEGO set of it. Based on the same GT-R Brian was driving, this Lego car offers a drift feature and NOS bottles.
• With Brian’s Nissan Skyline, modding is not a theory; it is a concept that is even accessible to beginners. Experts say that mapping is easier here than with other cars.
• The driving experience also gets a decent amount of credit. Getting behind the wheels of a vehicle of such caliber is a really special experience.

The Skyline delivers at every turn. Driving is agile, and even shifting gears is smooth and fluid. Moreover, it is very fast. However, it could not be one of the fastest cars under 10K because this iconic car is highly sought after and tend to hold its value.

Brian’s Nissan Skyline: 4 Things that You Should Know

2 fast 2 furious Brian car and John Wick’s cars are part of some of the best car movies of all time. The Skyline stands out for some of the behind-the-scenes developments.

1. Producer Craig Lieberman owned the Skyline from 2 Fast 2 Furious

For many years, fans of the iconic franchise believed that the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R belonged to actor Paul Walker in real life. Well, this was not the case.

Lieberman, the technical advisor on the movie, loves to have the best of the best. So he invested his money accordingly. The craig lieberman skyline was bought $78,000 for the Skyline in 2001. Interestingly, he made a huge investment even before the movie studio gave the green light for the sequel.

2. Four Skylines were used in 2 Fast 2 Furious

There were no cheap replicas for the stunts in the movie. Lieberman pushed the envelope in order to deliver the best result possible for the supporters of the series. The four cars came directly from Japan.

3. Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R driven by Paul Walker sold

The 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R driven by Paul Walker in Fast and Furious 4 in 2009 was put up for sale earlier this year. The price went up quickly and finally settled at $1,357,000.

The auction touted the fact that the car was part of cinematic history. It also reminded people that the franchise had reached $6 billion. Moreover, the car contained specifications that were requested by Walker himself.

4. The Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R is part of a great story

The supercar has a fantastic story to tell anyone who will listen. As Nissan continues to focus on the release of the 2024 Nissan GT-R, it is important to keep in mind the great models that came before.

The first Nissan Skyline was “officially” released in 1966. However, that is not totally accurate because the model was initially launched in 1957 by Prince Motor Company before the merger with Nissan.

It was a 4-door sedan or 5-door station wagon and featured a 1.5-liter GA-30 engine. The racing component of the Skyline was introduced in 1964. With the 1969 GT-R version of the Skyline, the transformation in that department was complete.

The C110-generation Skyline (1973-1977) put owners Ken and Mary in the promotional campaign. This version became known as “Kenmari.” From R30 to R34, Nissan continued to claim its spot as a leader and innovator. The R34, in particular, is often praised as one of the best drift cars, loved by professionals and enthusiasts alike for its agility and engine responsiveness.

Bottom line

Brian’s Skyline is a car that touches a nerve. If you are looking for greatness, the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R is at your fingertips.

The supercar comes with a hefty price tag of $149,381, but it is hard to say that it is not worth it even after all these years. The car was originally introduced as a luxury car and is also sold under Infiniti division in some markets, but you won’t find it in our list of best used luxury cars. The reason is the present GT-R occupies a spot between a luxury car and a sports car.

Interestingly, it is still getting new fans every day, thanks to the fact that it has become a real cultural phenomenon. Fans gladly say that its story is still being written, and it is still being told. Brian O’Conner was right to bet on this piece of history.

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