The Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) driven by the late Paul Walker in the 2009 film Fast & Furious can now be yours, with auction house Bonhams proudly presenting this wheeled movie star for sale.
Finished in iconic Bayside Blue paintwork, this particular example was Walker's car of choice in the franchise's fourth installment. Fans of the series will remember how it was expertly navigated through the traffic-dense streets of Los Angeles as it battled an E39 BMW M5 and a Nissan Silvia in an illegal street race.
Walker, a massive fan of the R34, played a big part in this particular Skyline's development and modifications, providing his input on even the smallest details and decisions. The JDM delight was imported from Japan (sans engine) by Kaizo Industries, which sourced the correct RB26DETT engine.
Cleverly imported as a kit car, the specialists set about bringing the car up to the stringent standards enforced by the US Department of Transport. With strengthened seat belt mounts and a reinforced shell, it was time to transform this neglected shell into a superstar.
With Walker's guidance, Kaizo modified the Nissan to his exact requests. The movie star's eye for detail even extended to the rear fog lights, requesting that the red lens be swopped out for a white one. Unusually, the Skyline is understated for an early Fast and Furious franchise film car; Walker is reported to have said that he wouldn't drive a "sticker bomber" resulting in the clean bodywork devoid of tacky decals.
The styling was subtly upgraded with the fitment of a Nismo Version II bumper and side skirts, along with an East Bear Hood and 19-inch Volk Racing RE30 wheels.
Naturally, Walker's input extended beyond cosmetic matters. As such, this Skyline features several performance upgrades, including a Turbonetics front-mounted intercooler, a Nismo NE-1 exhaust, a custom roll cage, and an ARC titanium strut brace. The boost pressure has been raised to 550 horsepower.
Handling was enhanced thanks to the fitment of Nismo lowering springs, and Rotora brakes with six-piston calipers up front and a four-piston setup at the rear. Inside, the stock steering wheel has been swapped out for a sportier Momo Alcantara-trimmed item, while the rear seats were disposed of in the name of weight-saving.
Now a two-seater, occupants have to strap themselves into the OMP custom racing seats with the five-point safety harnesses. It's not an entirely spartan affair, as the Skyline received a Sony head unit, a custom head-up display, and an MFD Xenarc Display unit programmed to work with the R34's ECU.
The fixed racing seat - positioned to Walker's ideal driving position - has not been moved since filming concluded.
Around this time, the Nissan's past came back to haunt it, with the US Border Force impounding the car. The vehicle became embroiled in a taxing legal battle owing to the fact that it was never officially sold in the USA. A few years later, in 2012, the car was finally released and sent to Germany, where it has lived ever since.
As such, Bonhams urges potential buyers to enquire whether the car can be registered in their respective regions but notes that several examples of the R34 have been imported into America on "Show or Display" titles. Unfortunately, the original mileage cannot be confirmed, as nothing is known about the time it spent in Japan.
Following a brief affair with the silver screen, the R34 went on to live out its days at Munich Motorworld, with fans of the franchise traveling to ogle at the exceptional exhibit.
While the vehicle is in running condition, Bonhams says the new owner should consider a thorough recommissioning before it is driven spiritedly.
Aside from the manufacturer-provided chassis stamping (BNR34-400109), the Skyline also wears a chassis tag from Kaizo Industries that contains various bits of information. This isn't the first time we've seen this particular car up for sale, as it was offered by a different vendor a little over six months ago.
Bonhams has not provided an estimate but judging by previous R34 Skyline GT-R sales, this example will sell for a princely sum - especially when you factor in its special background. The auction will occur between 28 April - 5 May 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.
The R34 was replaced by the Nissan GT-R in 2007 and, remarkably, this vehicle is still on sale today, receiving an update for MY2024 to keep it as fresh as possible.