From extensive experience of being the top source of Skyline GT-R’s since 1998, we began predicting that 32 GT-R's were destined to become prized classics as far back as 2009. At first, few believed us, despite our knowledge of the JDM market, but roll on a decade or so and by now all enthusiasts have witnessed the sharp decline in availability in Japan of the best Skyline GT-Rs and an accompanying steady but strong rising in values, especially for high spec. rust free examples that are destined to continue unabated.

With their increasing desirability and continuing strengthening of demand exceeding supply, we are seeing the best examples fetch ever higher prices in Japan. Even the Japanese are bewildered, as this is the first time they’d seen most of their cars of an era become modern classics and appreciate this rapidly. Nowadays, it’s a no-brainer. Japan built some of the world’s best driver’s cars in the ’90s. The secrets have been out for quite some time now...

It's become a no-brainer and generally accepted that prices in other countries will continue to rise for years to come, not only as the US market had long been wanting to import these cars legally, but because these are now firmly cars that are collectable.

As a sum of all parts, the prized best-modified examples are in some ways even more sought after, provided they’ve been tuned by the best (usually in Japan) with use of high-quality parts, as opposed to amateurs with shallow pockets and a penchant for eBay copied goods. The undesirable difference of a poorly looked after Skyline GT-R compared to a pampered one with a no expense spared attitude, is usually obvious at 20 paces to all but the least knowledgeable.

The R32 GT-R is today a PlayStation generation cult car which was originally built by Nissan to show off just what it was capable of during the Japanese ‘80’s – ‘90’s bubble economy. It was well ahead of its time, so much so that it was banned from racing, except in Japan, where it cleaned up against all Group A Also rans. The Skyline R32 is today a consummate legend.

Originally sold only in Japan with a sprinkling of examples officially supplied to Australia. Although just under a total of 44,000 were built, back from the days when these were cheap and plentiful and few realised what classics they’d become, the vast majority were already long dead from neglect, abuse and poor quality modifications, a decade ago. Such cars were abused, crashed, broken and sold for parts, so today there are few really nice examples left, even in Japan. Even Nissan has recognized these are Heritage cars and re-introduced some parts, at a large premium, sold by Nismo Japan, rather than Nissan nowadays.

We’d optimistically estimate that between 15-25% of production still exist as running cars in usable condition, but due to the prohibitive cost of restoration of those – the cars which are still complete & in the stunning condition is - optimistically speaking, less than 3,500 or so, in total - worldwide. Possibly even a lot less than this figure...

We’re rarely seeing any of the sort of spec & condition of this example for sale in Japan. Perhaps 20-30 per year, but most are fetching such high prices now, it’s likely they’ll be staying in Japan with no likelihood they'll be exported now, let alone in future as domestic Japanese prices continue to rise. The supply has all but dried up.