---
title: 'Why Japan Didn''t Want Us to Have These: Nissan Skyline GT-R Legend | Jay Leno''s Garage'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=MC58pruuzn8'
video_id: 'MC58pruuzn8'
date: 2026-07-23
duration_sec: 3670
channel: 'Jay Leno''s Garage'
---

# Why Japan Didn't Want Us to Have These: Nissan Skyline GT-R Legend | Jay Leno's Garage

> Source: [Why Japan Didn't Want Us to Have These: Nissan Skyline GT-R Legend | Jay Leno's Garage](https://youtube.com/watch?v=MC58pruuzn8)

## Summary

In this episode of Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno and photographer Larry Chen explore seven generations of the Nissan Skyline at Nissan Motors Skyline Day. They discuss the history, engineering, and cultural significance of these iconic Japanese cars, which were never officially sold in the US, and the passion of enthusiasts who import and restore them.

### Key Points

- **Preserving Heritage** [00:08] — Importing Skylines to the US preserves them; many were unloved and left outside in Japan.
- **Seven Generations of Skyline** [01:06] — The event features all seven generations of the Nissan Skyline, a car that has become iconic over decades.
- **Desire for the Unattainable** [02:00] — Skylines were never meant for the US market, adding to their allure for American enthusiasts.
- **Nissan's US Market Strategy** [02:40] — Nissan used the Datsun brand initially due to concerns about reliability and name recognition.
- **First GTR: Hakosuka** [05:27] — The 1971 Hakosuka GTR is a rare, bone-stock example with a 2.0L S20 engine producing 160 hp.
- **Modified Four-Door Hakosuka** [07:09] — A heavily modified four-door version with a 2.7L RB engine making 460 hp to the wheels.
- **Ken Mary: A Unique Build** [09:42] — A 1973 Ken Mary, not a GTR, restored from a rusted shell with a modern RB engine.
- **DR30 RS** [12:50] — The DR30 RS features a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, upgraded with a SR20DET from a 240SX.
- **R31 GTS** [19:29] — The R31 GTS is an unloved generation with a 2.0L RB20DET engine and a unique active front lip.
- **R32 GTR: The Icon** [23:57] — The R32 GTR is lightweight, all-wheel drive, and highly tunable, with a 2.6L twin-turbo RB26DETT.
- **R33 GTR: The Middle Child** [29:51] — The R33 GTR is heavier but more technologically advanced, with a stock 330 hp.
- **R34 GTR: Larry Chen's Car** [33:05] — Larry Chen's 1999 Bayside Blue R34 GTR was fully restored in Japan by Mr. Yoshida.
- **Controversy Over Imports** [56:20] — Some Japanese enthusiasts feel cars should stay in Japan, but owners argue they preserve them.

### Conclusion

The Nissan Skyline GTR, especially the R34, represents a pinnacle of Japanese automotive engineering and culture. Enthusiasts like Larry Chen go to great lengths to import and restore these cars, preserving their legacy for future generations.

## Transcript

car like this get imported to the US, there's a lot of people that are upset >> right? >> You're we're taking away the heritage." But we're actually really not. What we're doing is we're preserving it
>> this was unloved. This was sitting outside its entire lifetime until I bought it. All of us went through so much just to get these cars here in the US, to drive them in the US >> because they were just never intended to
>> Right. Right. Right. >> And it's a novelty for us and it's so for normal people, they look at it and they're like, why would you do that? >> Like it's it's like a torture or it's it's not fun for them, you know? It's
like awkward. But for us, it's the best. It just feels special and that's what I >> One more episode of Jay Lynn's Garage. Today here at Nissan Motors Skyline Day. Yes, everyone must go. Ladies and
gentlemen, we have seven generations of the Nissan Skyline. One of the most know, this is exciting to me because when I was a little kid, the big thing heritage. They hadn't been around long. You know, MG, Triumph, Bentley, these
all had 30, 40, 50 years of history. And the Japanese cars were sort of brand new, but I'm really old now. We've seen them have amazing cars. The Toyota GT,
them have amazing cars. The Toyota GT, uh certainly uh I had a Datson 1600. That was one of my first. Uh the 240Z, but probably I think the one that everyone seems to like the most is the Nissan Skyline. I want to bring in a
gentleman here who is probably a fanatic, as fanatic as anybody know come in. You know him, the legendary photographer. Shoots every car from every manufacturer, but this is his uh these are the ones you love, isn't it?
>> Yeah. And for me, the skyline is something that I think you can relate to. You just want what you can't have, >> And the beauty about these Skylines, none of them were meant for the US
market, >> right? Every owner, every person that owns all of these cars, including my car that we'll see later, we went out of our way to get it to the US or somehow obtain it and drive it and enjoy it in
correct? >> Yeah. So, this is the first generation of Skyline under the Nissan badge. It was Prince before, but this is >> Oh, that's right. It was Prince. That's right. We we should explain because when
Nissan came to America, they came here with the Datson. They weren't sure it would make it in the American market. And Nissan, although a hallowed name in >> Yeah. I I kind of feel like they were maybe worried that the Nissan name would
be something that's more difficult to pronounce or something that's not recognized. Well, initially when they came with the first generation Japanese cars, they weren't used to going 70 miles an hour on a freeway and there
were reliability issues and the parent company did not want to hurt the world >> So they they named it Datson which which was a nice pleasant sounding name. And
then when the Datson 240Z came along then by that time they realized okay we have a sports car. Americans love us. There's a guy. Then they became Nissan. There was no other change other than the name. But they were just afraid that if
Datson did not make it or became a because don't remember Subaru had that that early one that was really unreliable. Japanese stuff did not have the durability of American stuff yet at least at that point you know and that's
they changed the name. I was honored to have Mr. K come here. Do you know Mr. K? Mr. K was a Japanese gentleman who loved America. He loved hamburgers and hot dogs and music and he had just the American lifestyle. And when Nissan had
like the Lilock and all these other car he thought no Americans want names like Z X you know Americans like he was a very I think he lived to be 106. He was 100 when he came here and although in a wheelchair he was very all look he's all
excited about every car you know. I mean it was really it was really fun to meet somebody at that age that still had such enthusiasm and excitement for a product you know especially a car you know and it was it was really a true honor and
when he passed away it was a very sad day but it was a true honor to have him here because he understood the American market. I think he was Japanese to his soul, but he just liked the freedom and the just the huggeeness of America and
how big the drinks were and all this kind of stuff, you know. So, it was really interesting to see how much heritage there is here. And I must say, like almost every other vehicle, the first generation is always the purest to
me. This one, of all these cars, these are all lovely and nice. We have four more later. You'll see in a minute. This one appeals to me the most cuz it it just likes looks like the first attempt. It the clean lines, the look of it, the
black wall tires. I love those Japanese fender mirrors. They really look cool. Those are on my uh Cosmo. Let's start with this one. >> Yeah. So, this one pretty much started it all for the GTR brand. The first GTR
was actually a four-door, but for whatever reason, there's not many of them in the US. Uh there's rumors that maybe there's five or so here. I one point, >> but the one that you see most often and
the one that people refer to when they think about the first GTR is the Hakoska and this is a very very good example pretty much 100% bone stock 1971 Hakoska GTR
motor >> six-cylinder 2 L >> uh it's called a S20 engine something that's super coveted one of the main reasons Why unfortunately this never made it to US shores is because of the
engine. This was double the price of a Nissan Z. And as you've mentioned before around that time the stigma around Japanese cars. Why would I pay this much Japanese cars. Why would I pay this much for a Japanese luxury sports GT car?
>> So I'll show you the engine. >> And 2 L was huge in Japan, right? That's a big that's a big motor even by European standards. Well, at that time European standards. Well, at that time the 240Z, you know, 2.4 L24
>> was I wouldn't say more reliable, but easier to deal with. Right. >> Right. This for them to make a 160 horsepower out of an inline 62 L uh triple Mucuni Solex carbs. It was difficult to keep running in tip-top
>> Boy, this is about a cleanest example as I've ever seen. Those beautiful headers. Boy, those are just lovely. And that's factory pretty much. Yeah, this is 100% factory. I wanted to bring a couple variety of cars for you to see. So,
variety of cars for you to see. So, while this is a 100% bone stock version of the Hokoska Skyline GTR that is the four-door version of a Hokoska, it's not a GTR, but this is the owner's interpretation of what a modern, I
like. >> It's safe to say this is heavily modified. >> Yeah. So, the owner did have a chance to drive a twodoor version, but he prefers a four-door version. It's more his
personality and it fits him better. Uh, and this is pretty much one of the most wild builds. >> It is pretty wild. I like the thinking here. Your bumper is also your oil cooler. So, this is kind of like a Kaido
cooler. So, this is kind of like a Kaido racer uh style, which a lot of the Japanese tuners around that time, what they did was they saw what the race cars were doing uh on the track. You want to cover your headlights so you don't get
glass all over if you actually get hit. >> So, this is something that the street tuners brought over to the street. So, they block the headlights, kind of gives it a different look, and then they exaggerate the oil cooler. This is
>> All right. Now, do these pop off at night time or is that just take them off. >> Oh, just take them right off. Okay. All right. Very good. >> You know, I like the Q ship sort of look
of Q ship is a term the British use for a vehicle that looks unassuming and stock but will blow the doors off of just about anything around. You the the Mercedes 6.3 was a Q ship. uh certain Jaguars and that's a perfect example of
>> So, there's got to be a drinking and driving joke here somewhere. I don't shift knob. >> Oh, look. It's the beer. Oh, yeah. The >> Oh, look. It's the beer. Oh, yeah. The cops would love that here.
>> So, this this is Oh, good heavens. inline 6 2.7 L RB engine out of inline 6 2.7 L RB engine out of essentially like a R33 like a 1995 to uh
>> So that's twin cam two valve >> instead of a twin turbo setup. This is a >> Okay. >> So the way it sits right now it makes like 460 horsepower to the wheels. >> Okay. So this is a four valve engine
>> Yes, this is a four- valve engine. >> All right. Great. Wow. makes a lot of noises. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's great. >> Uh, next up is a 1973
what we call Ken Mary. And while this was not a GTR, this is again the owner's this car. >> And what' you call it? A Ken Mary.
>> It's called a Ken Mary. And in the advertisements in Japan, they had like two characters. There had a Ken, which was a male person, and then they had a Mary, and it's like they would drive around, have fun in this. It was just
>> Yeah. >> But this was something. >> The styling is kind of interesting. It almost looks like an American car. >> Uh they didn't make many of these in a real GTR form. They made under 200. To
have a real GTR and modify it, you're kind of crazy. You're destroying the value of it. So, this owner found this car like trees, like a plant was going through it. It was completely rusted, but he cut it up and he made it his own.
but he cut it up and he made it his own. And now, this has a modern RB engine. >> Yeah. >> Out of a R33 Skyline that that's capable >> Now, let me ask, well, here in America, the hot rod rebels kind of style was
sort of popular movies culture. In Japan, it seems a more refined culture. I know they had a restriction of, oh, nothing more than 276 horsepower. That was as far as you could go. So, was it tolerated? Was the uh sort of rebel
thing admired by young people in in Japan? Or was it was it like here or was it different? Was the culture such that this is not what we're about? a lot of loud noise and tires screeching and you
know that type of thing. >> There is a divide, but honestly the tuning culture in Japan is something that you just cannot hold back. Just like here in California, we're so restrictive. But I mean, you see every
>> right >> to the nines, everything chrome, everything polished, making a 1000 horsepower. You'd be surprised in Japan, horsepower. You'd be surprised in Japan, even now in 2025, when you go there,
going to the rest stops, going to the car meets, the cars that you see blow me away. They're so >> There may be certain things in terms of rules like ride height or the way the body needs to be or how big of a wing
>> but realistically, most of the engine is pretty like in Germany, if you make a modification, if you put a tire on that's not a factory approved tire when it came out, boom, you're off the road.
I mean, of course, you've got unlimited speed and all that kind of thing. But Japan is not that strict, is it? No. >> Just like California, you can get away with certain things, right? >> To a limit. I guess
>> pretty much. >> Yeah. Okay. Next, we we're skipping a >> right? >> But this one is something that is super >> But this one is something that is super special. This one is the DR30. So, now
we're getting into like the R chassis. Kind of like how in the next room we have the R31, R32, R33,34. This is the DR30. And while they didn't have a GTR version, they had something called the RS. And this is like the top-of-the-line
RS. And this is like the top-of-the-line version. It came with a FJ20 ET, which is a 2 L 4-cylinder turbo engine, but the owner upgraded it with a more modern uh out of like a 240 SX. I don't know if you remember those.
>> Yeah. >> But in Japan, those came with a 2 L turbo engine, dual overhead cam, right? >> So, we'll take a look at that.
There's just not many of these in the US at all. So, the way this is set up right >> Wow. >> Pretty good. Yeah. >> So, this is a black top SR20 DT out of a
S13. And it's just kind of like a more updated version of what would have come from the factory with this car. >> Would it be fair to say the Skyline is the Japanese version of the American Mustang? A car that came along that you
could raise a family in it. You could it would sort of dual purpose with the >> That's really the difference between the Skyline and the Z, right? The Z is a coupe. You could only carry one other person, right? It's that's more of a
sports car, a pure sports car, lighter weight. These were about touring, about GT. You could carry your family. I carry my family in my car all the time. It's also about pushing the limit of what's possible with technology.
>> And it's amazing how far Nissan was ahead of American manu. You've got dual overhead cam, four valves per cylinder going back to the 80s almost, right? Early 90s. I mean, it took us a long time, you know, the big old American V8.
>> Well, I mean, I think the theme you'll see like starting especially with this generation is using force induction to make more power, to be more efficient. reasons why we love these cars so much because of the fact that they're so
tunable and you can make them your own. And you've got government restrictions. You know, for example, in England, they judge you by the bore. So you have a you got a lot of torque. Then you go to France. Anything over 2.7 liter is
considered excessive and is taxed literally out of oblivion. So you've got know. And the same thing with Japan. They weren't allowed to build. Were there any three liter engines in Japan at this time? Anybody doing anything
that big? 3 liter even 5 liter. >> The really famous engine from Toyota actually that was built by Yamaha was the 2J for the Supra. Right. >> And that came in the early 90s >> and that was for the the American market
primarily. Right. >> Yes. Not as many sold in Japan, just kind of like the 240Z, right? The majority of the 240Z's and Z's in general sold in the US and outside of Japan. From what I remember, like the
240Z, I think 80% of them sold outside of Japan. >> Well, this is a wonderful L. Now, we have the next generation in the other >> Yes. >> All right. So this takes us from what 71
>> Yeah, this this is a 1983 and then uh the next room will pick it up in 1987. >> Now in Japan when a car gets to be more than 5 years old, is it taken off the don't know if there's any truth. I hear two sides.
>> Yeah, this is a common misconception when it comes to older Japanese cars. Uh I think around the time when a lot of people were bringing bringing in just front clips of cars and engines, the thought was okay, yeah, these are taken
off the road because they reached mileage or whatever. That's actually not true. I think the actual reason is because they don't have much space, >> In order for you to register a car, you have to prove that you have a parking
>> right? >> You can't just have one garage and park all your cars on the street, >> right? Right. You have to prove, okay, I this many cars. >> Yeah. When I was in Japan, I remember
seeing a number of people had this thing where lift the car up and it puts it on the roof. It would be the car would hover over the house. You know, I right there. >> It's interesting because you look at a
>> It's interesting because you look at a car like my R34 GTR. It sat outside its entire life for 25 years before I brought it to the US. And now it's never it, >> but I'm never going to park it outside
overnight. You know, it's something that >> I cherish so much. >> Exactly. >> It's something that's near and dear to my heart. >> Um but that's something that, you know,
we've even had a chance to talk about before. A lot of these cars were just everyday pedestrian cars that don't mean anything in Japan, >> If you had a DR30, if you had a
four-door Hakoska, people wouldn't bat an eye. But here, >> And here, >> these individuals that brought them in or imported them and take care of them. They jump through hoops to keep them on
>> It's really hard to get parts for this, as you can understand, with all the different cars from all over the world here. And in Japan, the older car is, the more you pay registration. Here, the longer you have it, the registration on
a yearly basis goes down till eventually goes away. But in Japan, it's the old cars on the road. So, it's more expensive to have a 30-y old car than a >> I'm not exactly sure about that, but I know so much of it is just comes down to
the cost of keeping them on the road, >> right? Yeah. just a normal person registering them, ensuring them, keeping them clean. You know, it's so much about
making sure they're safe to drive. Also, it's interesting even going to Japan and shopping for used parts. It's really difficult a lot of times to find things >> Yeah. >> Um, and part of it is because, you know,
a lot of these cars have left Japan and a lot of parts have left Japan, too. All right, let's go into the other room and see the next generation of Nissan. >> Well, here are four more of the seven generations of of Nissan. So, where are
we here? >> So, now we're getting into, I would say, more my era in the '90s, >> but this one is a 1987. This is a R31. This one, there's a a GTSR version, which they only made about a 800. That's
closer to the GTR. is not exactly a GTR, but that's like the high performance but that's like the high performance version. This one is a GTS. Now, the R31 version. This one is a GTS. Now, the R31 is kind of unloved. It's not something
that a lot of people modify for whatever reason. Maybe it's because it's boxy, maybe because it's the way it looks, but I love them. Uh they're really really coveted because of the racing heritage in group A in Japan, right? And that's
kind of why this owner put like inspiration livery as if uh boss coffee like Santoi right >> raced at that time period. What would have it looked like and this >> the bro cars from their exactly
>> and what is wild cards? I noticed a couple of cars had these the wild cards. >> So wild cards is a car club that I'm a part of. >> Oh I see. Okay. >> So all of us are into Japanese JDM cars.
Most of them are right-hand drive and most of them came from Japan. Some of most of them came from Japan. Some of them are USDM cars. Uh but we all modify our cars and enjoy them. >> What? Now this
thing. Yeah. >> Uh you know how >> in the US a lot of car shows we have Carl's Jr. in the US and they put the number >> and then it's like if you have a 1969
car you have order number 69 you put it on your dash. >> Like there's certain things that Japanese tuners love to do and that's a subway handle I see >> from the Japanese subway. But this
>> from the Japanese subway. But this >> So this is a inline 6 2 L RB20 DT engine. So it's turbo. Uh makes about 180 horsepower. But I want to show you >> Yes. >> If you want to go really fast in this
car, it has a really neat trick. Now, if you look at the front end you look at the front end >> Mhm.
>> So, you can make it more or less aerodynamic. >> Depending on what you need. Isn't that funny? Back in 1987. >> So, all >> That's an aftermarket piece.
>> Oh, that is stock. >> Yeah, that came from Nissan that way. are you going fast enough that that makes any sort of difference really. >> I don't know. Maybe it was gimmicky, but in the TV commercials back then, they
oval, >> right? >> And the lip was retracting and and and uh extending. And that was a selling point for this car. >> Oh, interesting. Now, were all Nissan
Skylines manual transmissions? Did they make automatics for these? They did make make automatics for these? They did make automatic versions of uh the just the >> the family model. >> Yeah, the family model. This is the GTS
and they had automatic versions, but this one is a 5-speed manual. I'll show this one is a 5-speed manual. I'll show you the engine here. times. >> A lot more stock. Like I said, RB, this
is pretty much like the first generation of the RB engine, and that evolved into the RB26 is, which is the legendary engine that, you know, people love to >> Wow. This >> And what is that? Is this a clear
plastic? That's a plate plastic cover. So, you can see the belt. >> Yeah, this is just the belt. >> No, just timing belt cover. Yeah. So, this one is rear wheel drive. The GTRS after this were all all-wheel
>> But this one did have a really interesting trick. It's the first >> Oh, all right. >> Yeah. So, this is hydraulically activated rear steer. Just so it's almost like it gets you around the
>> Well, there were there any front-wheel drive Skylines? No. >> Right. Okay. So, you had rear wheel or all wheel, but no front wheel. Okay. >> Right. Right. after this generation with the R32, which is what we have here.
This is the one that they made the most of in terms of GTRS. And this one is the first one kind of I would say of my era. This they made this This they made this >> from 1989 to 1994. This one is a very
>> from 1989 to 1994. This one is a very heavily modified example. The owner had the vision, learned about this car, grew up in the US wanting this car eventually. And once this turned 25 years old, it was finally able to come
>> It almost looks like an American version or something built for the American market. The wheels are bigger. It has almost Mustangike proportions, American car, midsize car proportions. But it was never imported here. Correct.
that's kind of >> not even this this body style with a different engine. not this body style. At this time, there was the 300ZX twin turbo in the US. And there was a couple different uh rumors and a couple
different stories in terms of why Nissan never brought this to the US. One big one has to do with the RB26DT engine. Because the turbos are on that side and they're twin turbos, it's physically almost physically impossible to have the
steering box. Yeah. Yeah. >> That's not to say people don't convert them, right? So, you'll see some of these in the Middle East, in Dubai, in the Philippines where they spend the time to convert them, but it's I think
>> It is dangerous cuz your steering box gets so hot. Exactly. You boil you boil locks up on you. Yeah. >> So, this one here, I'll I'll open this >> So, this one here, I'll I'll open this one up.
This one's interesting in that the owner had a vision for the build even before >> So, he already got the wheels, he already got parts for it, and then once he got the car, he built it in period
>> okay? >> You know, it's not using new wheels. It's It's not using a lot of new dress up parts. The point is that he wanted to build it as if this was [snorts] a car that he had when it was a new car.
>> Now, I know all of them have this brace. Are these fac They all appear to be here? >> Yeah, there was no factory brace here >> ever. That's interesting because with this much power,
>> you'd think you would need this. >> So, some of the uh special models like the Nismo version, >> right? And I think the Ztune and the 400R version of the R33 did have a brace and you wouldn't believe how much it
Yeah. >> When I bought one for my car, >> it didn't fit. >> I bought it from Nismo Orari in Japan, took it as my carry-on when I flew home from Japan.
>> And you know, I got home to my car. I'm like, "All right, time to put on my like, "All right, time to put on my brace. It's titanium." And I put it on. >> I was like, "What the heck?" >> Turns out I have to jack up the car to
>> the weight. >> Gotcha. See, it's a millimeter. >> It's so close. And then as soon as I jacked it up, it dropped on. Perfect. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, that's how I know that brace
>> Right. Right. >> Yeah. This one 2.7 L. >> Uh, big motor. >> Yeah. So, this makes about 487 horsepower to the wheels, >> and it's all-wheel drive, 5-speed
transmission. This thing is an absolute riot. This still has twin turbos. >> Did they sell this in Europe? Because I mentioned that because 2.7 is the max in France. You can't go higher than that without paying the tax. So, did they
America didn't get it? >> I They did export it to Australia. I'm not exactly sure if they exported this to Europe. I know they exported my car,
to Europe. I know they exported my car, the R34, to England. Not sure about >> Okay. >> I have seen some like brand new Australia import cars where they change a couple things to make it legal for
Australia. >> Now, this clear plastic cover for the uh timing belts there, I guess that that must be a popular option in Japan, is Yeah. >> Yeah. That's just kind of like a dress
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, in terms of like popular for tuning, >> So, in terms of like popular for tuning, I would say this generation, >> right? >> Part of it is because it's the most
affordable. It's the first version of this. It's lightweight compared to uh the other three versions. Like this is kind of like the modern era, right? 32, kind of like the modern era, right? 32, 33, 34. Uh, this weighed 3,100 some odd
pounds, all-wheel drive. >> Uh, it had this, uh, rear steering as well, but it was hydraulic. Most of the people who have this car delete the rear >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It actually kind of feels a little
>> It's better for parking, right? >> Well, no, not even that. It It's supposed to get you around the corner. Um, and it doesn't slide out, but it it g almost gives you like an uneasy feeling when the rear is moving, but
>> Yeah. >> So, the the rear steer is deleted on this. And uh I have one of these, too. It's also deleted on my car because it just makes it easier to drive. >> Is that a software delete or do you have
>> No, you actually have to take out that whole hydraulic unit. >> Oh, wow. And then you have to replace it with arms, right? Like uh like control >> Okay. All right. Let's go to the next one.
>> So, this is the R33. And this is kind of like the middle child. Uh it's somewhat unloved when it first came out because it was such a drastic jump in terms of
weight. It's 300 lb more >> than this one, but it also increased with a lot of technology. So, it does make a little more power. Um, in terms
of gentleman's agreement, you mentioned everyone is supposed to make about 267 >> Is it 76? >> 376. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, this one made about 320
horsepower. This one made about 330ish depending on the fuel and the elevation, depending on the fuel and the elevation, all that. This one has a lot more uh all that. This one has a lot more uh arrow and it's just uh more modern car.
>> Yeah, this one I'll show you the engine bay. This is pretty much bay. This is pretty much 100% bone stock. It is a very good 100% bone stock. It is a very good example of the R33 GTR.
This one's a first year 1995 >> and this is factory. No, this is not. This is exactly like the one that I bought, okay, in Japan. It's kind of a
>> fun thing, I think, for a lot of the US owners to go to Japan, buy parts, and uh >> It's just so odd that the factory would not have had that stock. Unless the >> Well, >> but you do need it.
>> Yes. And I'll tell you right now, because this is titanium, this is so soughta and it's so expensive. It's about $1,500 just for that part. >> Yeah. While this was unloved because it's heavier and a lot of people aren't
really in love with the looks, this has gone up in price quite a bit recently kind of forgotten and then now people are taking a second look at it, expensive. >> The I wouldn't say they settled for
this, but this is a great car to tune and enjoy. looks like a remote oil filter. That's not stock, is it? now, >> for the RB26 engine, for you to be able
designed. >> I have permanent scars on my arm from changing my own oil on my knee. >> Those are badges of honor. [laughter] >> Like the Viper owners have the burn from the outside. So you show people, you go
to the Viper, you show your badge of honor. It's like the H Highleberg scar soldiers, they'd cut the cheek of the guy, you know, so you had the H Highleberg scar, the Viper ankle, and you have, of course, the Nissan elbow.
>> exactly. The Nissan elbow. >> Nissan elbow. But it's a But boy, it it looks like something the factory should do. That is so nice. So easy. With the exception of just dripping oil all over >> Yes.
the the thing off. But it's just so easy. That's very nice. I like it. bone stock except for this and this and all the and these other things. >> These are the things that you do to make it easier to work on to to drive and
also to enjoy. >> Well, let's get to Pesta Resistance. This is uh your car. >> Yes, this is my car. This is a 1999 >> Yes, this is my car. This is a 1999 Bayside Blue R34 GTR. It is a pretty
Bayside Blue R34 GTR. It is a pretty early version of it. And yeah, this is my car. I've always wanted this car. I dreamed about this car growing up in learning about it, >> right?
>> I just never had a chance to see this in the on the showroom floor in Japan. It was something that I just wanted. Not because it was the fastest car, not because it was the prettiest car. It was just because it had this aura. It had
have. >> Right. Right. And come 2024, a flood of these came into the US because they aged to 25 years old, which made them legal >> So, did did you buy it here in the States or in Japan?
States or in Japan? >> I bought it in Japan 2 years before it became legal. Okay. >> With the intent of enjoying it in Japan where it was intended to be enjoyed. I drove all over the main island. I put
maybe 5,000 kilometers on it in Japan with my family using it as my daily driver. You know, I shoot so much in Japan for Nissan, for Toyota, for Honda. >> I had my own car. >> Oh, that's great.
jump in my own car. >> But the problem was, as I mentioned before, this is a 25-year-old car that was left outside, >> right? >> Because to them, it's just a normal car.
To us, it's something so special. So, it was very faded. Even though it's called Bayside Blue and the paint code is TV2, the joke was a lot of friends called it fadeside blue because it was so faded. >> It was more of like a baby blue,
>> right? >> So, then what I did was I got it fully 100% restored all the way down. >> Well, I saw that video. You had it done >> Well, I saw that video. You had it done in Japan by a fanatical husband and wife
team. Just It's just so funny. Uh it just made me laugh that the wife's right in there, you know, she's involved with >> Exactly. So the crazy thing is Mr. >> Exactly. So the crazy thing is Mr. Yoshida, uh he's in N Japan and that's
his specialty. He just restores these cars. He wanted to try to break a record with my car by disassembling it in six hours. New York and they'll break that record. They'll disassemble it in like two and a
everything will be gone. Yeah. So yeah, that's not that hard to do. >> You know, it's so funny to me because when I take apart cars, I'm so careful, >> Like if if I'm just taking the seat out, it might take me two hours,
>> Just because I want to move every single bolt. This guy's just boom, boom, boom, >> right? >> And the best part is the no look >> Yeah. >> Cuz he's done it so many times. Could
you imagine if day in and day out you take apart these cars? He just handed >> to his wife. >> To his wife and she's there because >> I see my wife standing there and me just handing parts. Yeah, that's not going to
happen. >> So, I'll show this to you. Again, this is I wouldn't say 100% stock. It's mostly stock. >> Mostly stock except for this. Oh, and and that and a few other things. And of
stock because we know it's not. >> Yes, this is not stock. >> That is not stock. This is the one you carried back from Japan. Exactly. So, Mr. Yoshida, he went as far as to cut out the shock towers because there was a
really big inherent problem with these from the factory. >> Rust. >> Rust. And that's just from driving in >> Rust. And that's just from driving in the rain and then the water sticks to
the tire and it shoots up into the shock tower area. >> So, Nissan, they just couldn't figure out that part in terms of like the engineering or whatever. It could be the the liner wasn't right or the ceiling
wasn't right. I'm assuming so many other cars probably have this problem, >> But Nissan discontinued all this stuff. So, Mr. Yoshida, he makes them himself. So, Mr. Yoshida, he makes them himself. He gets them stamped in Japan and he cut
all this out and he welded it in and added extra spot welds. So, now it's better than new. And another thing is around that time, I don't know if you remember, Nissan was going through some crazy financial issues. So they tried to
save money as much as they could anywhere. And that includes every single R34. The engine bay was not painted. It was just like primerred black. body matched. >> Oh, nicely done. Yeah. Beautiful.
>> Well, after seeing the video and hearing your story, I'm anxious to drive this. >> Let's do it. >> Let's go for a drive.
And what's your horsepower on this one? So, this one is stock. Mostly stock. >> Uh, it made 330 to the wheels. Yeah. So, the goal was not to go all out because you can make a,000 with these easy, >> but that's putting so much boost through
>> Yeah. That's a hand grenade. >> Yeah. I just wanted to like like a new version of this car or as new as possible for the US roads.
>> I know. It's amazing how isolated you are from sounds as opposed to like the >> 60s Honda, you know? >> Yeah.
they used to put in cars in the 20s. It's called the jolt meter. You put it on the dashboard and it it just the needle bounces to how much jolt your car >> you know, for vibration and noise and hard harshness just to test those
>> Right. >> So if it's like in a Cadillac or something, >> it won't jolt that much. Got it. >> Now this new old stock steering wheel, all that. So I really push so hard to
get as much new old stock stuff as possible. So, like the center console, all the plastic pieces. Surprisingly, Nissan still has a lot of the stuff in Nissan still has a lot of the stuff in stock. And it's not that expensive. Uh,
is just new old stock. >> Now, Nissan made the Infiniti, too, didn't they? >> Yeah. So, they did eventually restart the Skyline uh line of cars after this. Yeah.
uh line of cars after this. Yeah. >> So, this is a 1999. They came out with the Skyline uh in the US as an Infiniti and that started as the G35. >> I remember Nissan got mad at me once cuz they had kind of a revolutionary ad for
the Infiniti. They never showed the car. They showed pastoral settings, rocks, They showed pastoral settings, rocks, trees, and played some music, you know, and it was not successful. And I met the joke I did in the Tonight Show is uh
commercial where they don't see the car. It just shows rocks and trees not doing well. Although uh landscape centers are part sales of rocks and trees have gone got a big laugh and got quoted in the New York Times and the advertising
agency got mad at me. >> It's tough because you know these cars and all the cars before it, especially the GTRS and the Z's so beloved. I know people love the brand, but they just they seem incapable of coming out with
they seem incapable of coming out with anything new. I mean, the new uh Z they >> Yeah, it was really good. >> It was adequate. It was Oh, this is good. But, you know, you I think we're so used to these cars knocking your
socks off. You know, when the GTR first come out, oh my god, people are amazed how fast it was and how reasonable it was. What was it? $45,000, something R35 in 2007? >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> So, or or sorry, 2009. Um >> Yeah. Now they've floated to what? Over $200,000, right? >> Yeah. I think it was around $70,000, but >> right? Exactly. >> I mean, the thing about Nissan was value
>> You know, oh, you could have the fancy European brand. >> Or you could win the race with X, you know, that type of thing, >> right? Uh, and they they just kind of rested on their laurels. I mean, every
new version of the GTR seemed just like the old one except for, you know, you know, just some >> Well, the the crazy thing about the R35 GTR, the last one that was available in the US, it ran for 15 years. They made
it for 15 years, >> which is crazy because this was only for sale for 3 years, >> right? 1999 to 2002, >> Or four years, sorry. Um cuz they sold it in 2000 also. 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002.
Four years for this model and they discontinued it. That's it. So, this does have upgraded brakes. I did take the latest and greatest >> R35 brakes, um biggest I could fit as possible just to update the car.
>> So, my goal wasn't to make allout horsepower. It was just to modernize it just so I can drive it. I drove it to Pebble Beach >> to Monterey this year and it was just so much fun to drive amongst supercars and
>> You know, but this is just my special car. You know, people of a certain age car. You know, people of a certain age and a certain era appreciate this car because they just don't see them in the US even though it's just a kind of a
US even though it's just a kind of a normal pedestrian car in Japan. you're sitting in traffic with a car like this in LA, most people look at it
>> right? >> They don't think it's anything special at all. >> But the average price of these now going for sale, it's about a4 million. >> I know. It's crazy, isn't it? Yeah.
>> Yeah. It's especially crazy because they definitely It definitely blew up after the shutdown. Before the shutdown, they were coveted. Yeah. But not like now. >> It's like beautiful women in LA. Nobody noticed them because there's so many of
them. >> So many blondes and you go, "Oh, yeah. But it's a timeless design like, you know, like the the F1 McLaren. It still looks modern. It's it it was designed 40 years ago because it's not overboard.
Good design is timeless. >> Yes. mentioned with the McLaren F1, I think about this all the time. Is it better
when the car was made in an era where there wasn't so much computer stuff, you know, when it was handdrawn? Maybe. >> Well, I think it is. I mean, there's a >> Well, I think it is. I mean, there's a reason for that. Sculptures done by hand
are more impressive than ones done by machines. I mean, I can tell the difference when you can see when you look at modern cars, it's all when you look at modern cars, it's all like, you know, slash lines here.
>> And then you look at like the Mure or Italian cars in the 60. Everything is handdrawn and the hand flows and you >> I just wonder what happened to Nissan. That's all. Yes. Well, they had all the
nightmare with uh the CEO going to prison and all that kind of stuff. >> Yes. Well, he escaped in a musical box, >> right? Then he escaping that he escaped. >> Yeah. And I think he's just stuck in
>> Well, it's better than being stuck in prison. [laughter] >> And he was in for a long time, right? >> No, I think he was just under house arrest and that's why he escaped. Or you mean at Nissan?
>> Yeah. He turned around Nissan. >> Yeah. Right. He he he tried to get a thing going with Renault and that didn't work out because it never works out with they have their own way of thinking and doing things. And I love French design.
I love you know it's funny when you go to France uh you go to anywhere else in Europe it's 6 millimeter 8 millime 10 millimeter. You go to France it's 5 millimeter 7 millimeter 9 millimeter. You know, they they just do. And French
cars, you pull the light switch out to turn it off. You push it in to turn it off. You know, I mean, they just have their own way of doing things. >> Well, it's got some real power. >> Yeah. It especially when the turbos kick
driving turbo cars. It kind of feels like I'm flooring it twice. kick in, >> well, you know, I've got that Corv Corsa with the 180 horsepower turbo on it. >> Yeah.
>> And you know, you get it up to about 3700 and then there's that little You feel that extra shove in the back. It's I I like I enjoy turbo lag. I like anticipating it. Here comes >> I like it. I I think it's endearing.
right? >> It's just something fun. it. Realistically, it's actually bad, right? Because you're slow, >> but >> who cares, you know? I like it.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think the best my favorite turbo cars that I've driven, especially '90s Porsches, aircooled Porsches, I love the turbo lag. I think it's so much fun. >> That's right. But if you're racing, you
>> You know, it's like I enjoy driving a manual and then I get in a 10-speed automatic. Of course, it's faster. It's not as much. >> Yes.
>> I mean, my GTD Mustang, I wish that was a stick. It's not. It's an 8-speed >> but it's just so fast. >> Yeah. Yeah.
slightly richer exhaust system. Maybe I feel like I'm It's strangling a little quiet, isn't it? >> Well, I'll tell you what. When I bought that was really loud. >> Yeah, too loud.
>> And it would wake the neighbors. Uh people would complain. >> So then I went >> with a all titanium system, >> right? all the way from the downpipe from HKS,
>> And it's even better flow. It's their >> right? >> But it actually quieted it down and it made way more power, >> right? It made 17 more horsepower or 17
>> really >> boost uh just from boost creep, but it's actually quieter because now when you buy these big aftermarket exhaust, especially when they're made out of titanium, it's kind of like a grownup
>> Yeah. >> It's like a more refined. You know, if you were to buy this car now, you have some wealth and you or you at least can afford to drive this car and afford to modify it. You don't want it to be so
>> Yeah. >> Where it's like annoying to drive. So Yes. >> And it's titanium and it's way lighter, >> That's progress. >> Yeah. So they they call it kind of like
the high power silent uh exhaust system. You can still get something that's just straight back and it's super loud, but then it's not really enjoyable to drive. That's why I love driving this so much.
I try to put a lot of miles on it. A lot of people saw that I restored it in Japan, but I tell people that I'm actively unrestoring it now after >> your kilometers still, not much. >> Yes.
who built the car for you? >> Yes. Well, after that episode has come out, now he's 4 years backed up. >> Oh, I would imagine. >> Yeah. In terms of restorations. And the beauty of it is it's not just Japanese
uh clients. It's people from all over the world who already imported this car. >> And now what they are doing is they're returning it back to Japan to get it >> Does he work alone or does he have other people with him?
>> So at this point in time at this point in time or at the point of me uh restoring the car with him, I asked him straight up. I was like, "Look, you're you're a young
was like, "Look, you're you're a young man, you know, you're um 40 years old. day." >> Oh, he's only 40. >> Yeah, I think he's 40 um or around that age. I asked him straight up, "How many
your lifetime?" Like, "How many do you have left?" And he gave me an honest answer. He said, "I have about a hundred more cars I can restore." >> That's pretty good. But after this video came out about this car,
>> he hired more staff and he said, "I actually bumped that number up." So, who knows how many he can restore, but it's interesting because interesting because what he does, he does every single day.
And this car is not any more special than any of the other cars that he restored. The only difference is that I was there to document the restoration, >> right? And I kind of feel like maybe it's the same thing with a lot of the
cars that you're restoring. If your guys just put it all together and built this, rebuilt this brand new car, it's not as compelling of a story until
you actually show them >> handdoing it the pieces like Jimmy making the metal pieces. >> It's just so cool to see them actually actively putting it all together. And it's interesting because most people
have no idea how much work goes into restoring car. You have these stupid TV rebuild, you know. >> Yes. >> And when I talk to people who are not car people go, you know, but you know,
car mechanics were such crooks. No, they're not crooks. It just takes a long time to fix things. >> You know, in the old days, technology was expensive and labor was cheap. Now it's flipped. Now technology is nothing,
but to get the guy to put it together, that's that's Boy, this drives like a >> Yes. >> I mean, suspension, everything is >> I mean, suspension, everything is >> everything brand new or in good
condition or just rebuilt. The prices of these have been so insane. So, there's one that Nissan just restored. So, that sold for $750,000.
sold for $750,000. Yes. And the ultimate version of this, it's called the Ztune. Nissan >> bought back, >> Yeah. >> And rebuilt them as new cars
>> and infused carbon fiber into parts of the chassis and made basically made the Ultima version of this. >> That is the most expensive GTR. It's >> That is the most expensive GTR. It's estimated that it's worth $5 million.
you know that it's kind of sad we live in an era now where you have so many billionaires and so many poor people and if you're a billionaire I mean $100 bills are $10 bills and and and $10,000 is $100 so something's
$700 thou oh why not you know you can charge whatever you want for it you know and so it keeps out of the hands of the average I saw that with DB5 Aston Martins I always like them and but there was a guy in the Middle East that owns
116 of them. He's trying to buy them all. So he buys everyone he can find. So consequently, they're all 600,000 with the 450,000, you know, even the junky ones. Yeah. >> You just I I don't know if you saw a
McLaren F1 just sold for 25 million. >> I I know. Was it 25 or 22? >> 25 I think after auction fees. You bought it for 800, right? 800,000. >> Oh, yeah. People thought I was crazy. [laughter]
>> So, I mean, that's a car that is just the value. I can't even imagine that. I >> Well, what it is is it's a Ferrari GTO of the of this millennium. Ferrari GTO's
I think the last one it sold for 75 million. be disappointed. >> Really? 75? [laughter] >> I've ridden in one and I thought it was interesting. Um,
I don't I couldn't tell you if it felt really special, but I was just happy to be able to at least experience that. >> Yeah. Well, you have to figure that's the halfway point in the development of the automobile. 63 is just about
perfectly halfway to where we are now. So, you have all the technology up to that point, which is pretty amazing. And since 2000, cars have changed so much. >> Yeah. I mean, it it blows me away
>> Yeah. >> Um like they did it so right back then. >> And like this is a car that I would want to drive every single day.
>> Yeah. This thing it drives very good. When we were driving the uh your Honda S600 on my show, I think about the Japanese individual that drove that as a brand new car in 1964, but then now I think about the
Japanese individual that owned this as a brand new car in 1999. Uh like what kind of person was that? You know, was he a businessman? Was he >> they might even realize what they have? >> Maybe not. Maybe not. And that's the
thing is when a lot of people, especially Japanese people, when they get upset, and honestly, people from all over the world, when they see a car like this get imported to the US, there's a lot of people that are upset because
they say, "Hey, it needs to live in Japan. It needs to stay in Japan. >> You're we're taking away the heritage." But we're actually really not. What because >> this was unloved. This was sitting
outside its entire lifetime until I bought it. >> And then I put >> over $100,000 into restoring it. >> Yeah. >> And now it's a brand new car and now we
can show the world what this >> is. So that's kind of my thing is they >> Yeah. >> They were the caretaker, but now I'm the caretaker. And then same thing with a lot of the cars that you imported from
overseas. Now you're the caretaker for these cars.
enthusiasts, you know, like one of the things that I mentioned uh when we started this shoot was the fact that all of us all of the guys fact that all of us all of the guys together showing us your um showing you
our cars. The thing that we have in common is that all of us went through so much just to get these cars here in the US, >> to drive them in the US >> because they were just never intended to
>> Right. Right. Right. >> And it's a novelty for us and it's so for normal people, they look at it and they're like, "Why would you do that?" >> Yeah. like it's it's like a torture or it's it's not fun for them, you know?
It's like awkward, but for us, it's the best. It just feels special and that's what I love about it. Yeah. >> Now, uh thanks for the copy of your book. It looks terrific. Tell me, uh is that available? Can the public buy that?
>> Yeah, so my book is available for sale on my website, camerasandcarculture.com. Uh, you can pick up t-shirts, merch, um, diecast, stuff like that on that website >> But if you want to pick it up from Amazon, um, you can. The ones from my
website are all signed by me >> and I ship them from my place in the US. >> Right. >> 21 years of shooting cars. >> Right. Right. >> And, uh, there's even photos of my first
2015. >> Oh, that's funny. >> Yeah. Here's how old I am. 2015 seems like Thursday to me, [laughter] >> Well, listen, I appreciate being able to shoot with you. Um, all the stuff that
we get to do with your detailing product and Walmart, it's been awesome, you >> It's a lot of fun. And And >> it's interesting after all this time, you know, shooting photos, I've shot 5 million pictures in my lifetime.
>> Really? 5 million? Yeah. >> Yes. and I focused down to 3,000 for the >> So, it's just more of a snapshot of what I've done. And that's not to say I'm
single day >> as much as I can. >> But I figured 20 years is kind of a round number and it's a good time round number and it's a good time >> to at least have like a time stamp.
done for car culture. You know, you >> have fun. I have a good time. I enjoy it. >> You've inspired my generation. uh the current generation, future generations. That's kind of what we can all do really
>> Yeah. >> I I feel like I try my absolute best to do my part to inspire at least the creator generation to take pictures of these cars. >> Even though they're not wrenching,
>> driving, they're not they're not building, as good. You know, you're sharing the love that way. It's always an honor to have you here. Thank you, my friend. Pick up a copy of
the book, and we hope you enjoyed this little piece of history. If you like more of this where we focus on one car and show the generations of it, let us know. Maybe we'll do it again. But, uh, this is a special a special episode. So,
thanks for making it happen. It's all it's all yours. So, >> And we'll see you guys next week. See, I'm used to looking over there because I'm looking over here. So, we'll see you next week on this side, too. There you
go. Love it.