• First time three Australian R32 GT-R models offered at same auction
• Choice of three factory colours
• All offered at ‘no reserve’
Three time-warp 1991 Australian-delivered Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 ‘Godzilla’ coupes – one in each of the factory metallic colours of Jet Silver, Black Pearl and Red Pearl – offer collectors a unique opportunity when they face the gavel at Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction on July 16.
Adding to their desirability, each of the Nissans from the 100 GT-R-R32 coupes that were factory-delivered in Australia in 1991 is being offered with ‘no reserve’.
The GT-R-R32 is already regarded as an all-time ‘great’ by enthusiasts and collectors, as on its introduction in 1989 it was the most sophisticated performance car to come out of Japan.
Combining all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering with the output of its DOHC 24-valve, turbocharged 2.6-litre in-line six-cylinder engine quoted conservatively at 191kW/276HP - but in reality, nearer to 224kW/300 HP, the R32 was capable of being tuned to achieve more like 373kW (500HP) in full race trim.
Thanks to its dominance in the Australian Touring Car Championships, with three successive titles from 1990-1992 and victories at Bathurst in 1991 and 1992, the Skyline earned the nickname ‘Godzilla’.
Coming from the same well-known collection, the GT-R R32s being auctioned are the 22nd (Silver), 46th (Black) and 76th (Red) of the 100 factory-delivered Australian coupes. The local cars were distinguished from their Japanese-delivered counterparts by a number of details including their local Design Rule compliance, unique badges, outer tail lamp lenses, Maxima stereo units and Bosch roof-mounted aerials.
Following their first Bathurst success, each was sold new to a willing local market by selected Nissan dealers at a price of nearly $110,000 – a figure they are expected to approach 17 years later, with Shannons quoting the same conservative guiding range for each of $70,000-$85,000.
As #22/100, the Jet Silver coupe delivered in May, 1991 is the earliest of the three cars and was believed to be owned originally by Nissan’s factory race team, Gibson Motorsport.
It presents today in excellent condition throughout, commensurate with its indicated 82,000 kilometres.
The Black Pearl Metallic GT-R R32 (#46/100) was delivered to its first owner on the Gold Coast in June 1992 and remains in original factory specification, other than its larger sports exhaust system.
Shannons say the car comes with its original delivery books and is in good overall condition but would really sparkle with some extra elbow grease.
The Red Pearl Metallic GT-R R32 (#76/100) offered in well-maintained, factory original condition, came from long-term ownership before joining the Nissan collection with approximately 190,000km on its odometer and comes with its delivery books, a large receipts file and an original GT-R key.
Australian-delivered Nissan GT-R R32s in factory original condition are now rare and highly sought-after among enthusiasts, ensuring values remain strong today.
View all Shannons July 16 Melbourne Winter Classic Auction Lots
For more information on the auction contact Christophe Boribon on (03) 8588 0809, or 13 4646 (Option 5) or email auctions@shannons.com.au.
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