1972 Nissan Skyline 2000 'GT-R Replica' Coupe

Description

Spanning five generations, the history of Nissan’s legendary GT-R badge dates back more than fifty years, starting with the original four-door PGC10 model introduced in February 1969.  Based on Nissan’s third generation C10 Skyline family car, the GT-R followed on from earlier performance derivatives including the 2000 GT and triple carburettor 2000 GT-X.  In ultimate GT-R guise, the Skyline was powered by a race-bred DOHC in-line six-cylinder engine developing 162 horsepower, fed to the rear wheels through a five-speed transmission and kept in check with a limited-slip differential.  Braking was combination of discs up front and drums at the rear, while suspension was a semi-trailing arm set-up.  From March 1971 Nissan added a stylish coupe version, dubbed the KPGC10.  The stripped-out interior featured aluminium pedals, a triple-spoked steering wheel and simple competition-style bucket seats.  Built with motorsport in mind, the first-generation GT-R proved virtually unbeatable in Japan in the early 1970s, paving the way for the fabled “Godzillas” that dominated Group A racing in the 1990s.  Nicknamed ‘Hakosuka’, only 1,945 first-generation GT-Rs were ever made and values have exploded in recent years, as collectors both in Japan and the rest of the world fight over the few surviving examples.  In much the same way as Falcon GTs have been copied here in Australia, building a replica GT-R on a standard Skyline 2000 has for most of us become the only way to experience the old school thrills afforded by these iconic Japanese performance cars.