You could dream about owning an original Nissan GT-R, or you could go for the next next thing, at a fraction of the price.
This pristine low-mile 1972 Skyline 2000 GT-X Coupe was artfully massaged into a 2000 GT-R clone in Japan, and brought to the United States by Los Angeles-based Bulletproof Automotive, a specialist in premium rare imports. It’s listed on eBay with a $75,000 Buy It Now price. Seem pricey? For comparison, an authentic 1972 Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R ‘Hakosuka’ sold last August at the Monterey Auction for a gavel-thumping $242,000.
Classic Skylines are among the most sought-after imported vehicles among American JDM enthusiasts. The Skyline’s roots date back to the mid-1950s and the Prince Motor Company; it became the Nissan Skyline after the 1966 merger of Nissan and Prince. In 1972, Nissan produced a Skyline GT-R for a single year, after which the GT-R became a separate entity.
The engine is the most significant difference between the GT-X and GT-R, along with aesthetic pieces, like badging. “All the custom modification and restoration was done by a prominent Hakosuka tuner in the Kanto area of Japan,” explained Jonny Grunwald, automotive project manager at Bulletproof Automotive. “This particular vehicle has been fitted with all of the GT-R upgrades, and is only missing the S20 engine.”
While the engine’s clean, it’s not a barn burner. The GT-X’s original 1998 cc single overhead cam L20 straight six is factory-rated at a modest (by today’s standards) 120 horsepower. By comparison, the GT-R’s S20 engine is rated at 160 hp, but is extremely pricey and hard to find. The fuel system in this car has been serviced with a new fuel pump and lines, as well as gaskets in the dual Solex carburetors and a tank cleaning.
“We imported the vehicle in perfect condition for a car of its age,” said Grunwald. “Bulletproof just did minor reliability service to make sure that this classic car is long term and road ready for California, or wherever the road takes her.”
This silver beauty rolls with a lowered suspension and bronze Watanabe deep-dish wheels wrapped with Bridgestone Potenzas. A “works type” front splitter, a rear deck lid spoiler, front over fenders, and GT-R badging complete the look.
