The Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, affectionately known as ‘Godzilla’ among car enthusiasts, has been a performance icon since the late 80s and early 90s. Its legendary status has only grown over time, and today, it’s one of the most sought-after sports cars in the classic car market. With a starting price of $75,000, the GT-R R32 is a rare gem, and unfortunately, this has also made it a target for thieves.
In a recent unfortunate event, Nissan Australia reported the theft of one such R32 from their heritage collection. A spokesperson for the Japanese brand confirmed that the car was stolen from their headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.
The stolen vehicle is a dark red 1991 Nissan Skyline GT-R variant, registered in the state of Victoria, Australia, with the license plate GTR 091. This particular car is completely original and was one of the first of its kind sold in the Australian market. Nissan acquired the vehicle in 2015 and has since used it for promotional events. The red R32 is estimated to be worth around $170,000 today.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 is an extremely rare model in Australia, with only 100 units imported new between 1989 and 1994. The car also has a rich racing history in the country, having competed in the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) throughout the 1990s. Gibson Motorsport dominated the ATCC and Bathurst 1000 races in 1991 and 1992 with their R32s, further adding to the car’s legendary status.
Details about the theft and the perpetrators are still scarce, but Nissan Australia is working closely with the Victoria Police to recover the stolen heritage Skyline GT-R R32 and bring the culprits to justice.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, the first-generation model of the GT-R line, earned the nickname “Godzilla” for its impressive performance. Powered by a 2.6L twin-turbocharged RB26DETT engine, it produced 276 horsepower and 353 Nm of torque, which was exceptional for its time. The power was delivered to all four wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission, and its simple yet iconic design has inspired many sports car designs that followed.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, a true performance icon, continues to captivate car enthusiasts worldwide, even decades after its initial release.