For many of us of a particular era, the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R is the car. Whether it was because of video games or tuner magazines, the Skyline holds a special affinity. I don’t know about where you live, but for a lot of us, seeing a proper GT-R is a rare enough sight. In the last 15 years here in Ireland, I’ve probably seen only two at the most on the streets.
My only real window into the GT-R world was following Dino’s J-Style blog back in the pre-Speedhunters era.
As the years passed, the R34 has held its status, but Japan has been kind enough to share some examples with the rest of the world. It was at Gatebil last weekend where I came across this GT-R time attack car, driven by Norwegian Pål Gjervan.
As with all things Gatebil, the first time you see something impressive is on track. Then, you have to explore the extraordinarily busy paddock to find it. Sometimes you don’t ever find the car you’re looking for, but I got lucky with this one. Sat just behind the main pit building, the R34 was parked up in the shade, waiting for its next outing. But it was only when I got close that I discovered its true significance.
This wasn’t just any R34 GT-R – rather it was a former Endless Japan demo car which had been imported to Norway several years ago. The history of this Skyline is impressive and Pål was very enthusiastic to talk about the car with me.
But first, a video from just before the car was exported to Norway. The noise you need to hear starts around the 4:25 mark…
The shell was originally prepared by Nismo – one of 11 competition-spec and fully seam-welded chassis. For the the anaroks, this was chassis number #9 of the 11.
Composite panels – again by Nismo – adorn the car, with only the subtlest of clues giving away this fact – such as the exposed carbon fibre bands along the bottoms of the doors.
The fuelling system in the rear left me speechless if I’m honest. The pair of dry breaks in the rear boot lid were an indicator, but I wasn’t expecting such a beautiful and elaborate setup. It’s these kind of details that can be found throughout the car, despite its street look.
Street look that is, until you get to the interior…
Or the massive Brembo 6-piston brakes with Öhlins suspension lurking in the shadows. Needless to say, it’s a complete build with no corners cut.
The RB26 has of course been substantially modified by Endless themselves too. It’s a Stage R stroker (2,700cc) engine, running a Trust T88 single turbocharger which is good for around 700hp. There’s a nitrous system as well, which isn’t currently in use but adds around another 50hp. Pål told me that the engine makes full power from 4,000rpm so it’s incredibly drivable. It was quite refreshing to hear him talk about getting the most out of the current setup, rather than just throwing more power at it.
Pål has big ambitions for the R34 and is aiming for a podium finish in Gatebil’s Extreme class once he is comfortable with the car. We’re hoping to see more of this and its 350Z stablemate at Rudskogen next month.
Paddy McGrath
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paddy@speedhunters.com