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Jun 8, 2013

Left Hand Drive R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R

Left hand drive R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R

Ever seen a left hand drive Nissan Skyline GT-R?  There are a few around in the world. Nissan never made one, but people bound by local laws have done conversions. From Finland, to the Middle East, and the Philippines, I have seen a few.  I have even driven a couple of left hand drive cars.

RB26 in LHD R33

There are some recent guys that have been doing R33 left steer conversions in the UK, but way back around 2000, a guy named Alexander Gorodji did a couple of conversions on an R33, and R34 GT-R. He mistakenly thought that there would be a big market for a left hand drive Nissan Skyline GT-R, but he was wrong.  In real life next to no one really wanted a left hand drive Nissan Skyline. Most that could afford the car, didn't want to spend another huge amount converting it over to left hand drive.  Since its not a requirement in the US, I think only only one or two people actually asked to get it done. As far as I know only two cars were successfully completed.  One R33, and one R34.



I drove both cars, and I will admit they felt a little strange. Overall dynamics were fine, but I thought that the pedal placement was a little off. I didn't like where the throttle was placed in comparison to the right hand drive car. Everything else felt ok, but was it worth $20k? Not in my opinion. What do you think?

Interior left hand drive Nissan Skyline GT-R

Brake master on the hot side of an R33 GT-R

Hot side LHD R33 GT-R
LHD R33 GT-R hot side master cylinder
LHD R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R


Left hand drive R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R



5 comments:

Anonymous said...

So the Mr. Alex Gorodji you've mentioned is actually the same Alex the author?
By the way, you are 100% correct on the LHD conversions. Only those countries that prohibit driving RHD can benefit to this. Other than that its not really practical. Its a hassle! On the parts problem alone, like customizing Nissan oem parts, cannot use some oem parts, etc. I have a buddy who has LHD GT-R that's why I know. I remember him searching for a longer speedo cable since the s.wheel is on the left now. Its still an amazing car but if he had a choice, RHD would be the way (besides its more JDM), but our domestic law wouldn't allow it.

Sean Morris said...

Same Alexander. First he started trying to make left hand drive Nissan Skyline GT-R's.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mr. Sean! Recently got the GT-R book from author Alex Gorodji here in Osaka Japan. All I can say is this guy is really into the "blacksheep" of the GT-R family, the GT-R BCNR33! xD

You can obviously say he tries hard to make it look good while doing quite... the opposite on the BNR32. ;) He keeps on saying "R32 Fans" on the later part of the book, and says its the slowest. How can he forget to note the R32 GT-R holds the fastest AWD record, and how about the infamous records it has done in motor sports. Maybe he should be reminded that the BNR32 was the reason the GT-R is called Godzilla. And how it was even banned to compete, even resulting to change of race rules!

I know he is into BCNR33, he even made one in LHD. And plans to sell more (w/c I think flopped). But he can't change facts. He can even visit here in Japan and talk to top GT-R gurus here. All I can say is Mr. Gorodji should not be an author of books like these. The book by Andy Butler, Skyline GT-R: The Ultimate Japanese Supercar is sooo much better.

Sean Morris said...

Hello Annonymous. I knew Alexander - Alex Gorodji pretty well. I didn't always get along with him. I may have tried to punch him once at Motorex one day. We had some disagreements about what and who he would send along to help me convert a speedo.

Anyway, he is a huge R33 fan, and I am a big R32 fan. We have had many discussions about the cars, and I would always tell him that the R32 is the car. Like the previous speedo issue, he is a bit hard headed.

More recently I helped him out a bit when he was having a rough section of life, but I haven't seen him in a couple of years.

Anonymous said...

LoL. :D So I was right abut the guy! He is one huge GT-R BCNR33 fanboy! That explains why the 33's @ss of all GT-Rs would be pictured behind the book! 8)
Well I have no problem with 33 R, but earthly facts will show the 33 is the LEAST liked of the blood line. What I don't like about the book is him trying to convince reader how nice the 33 is, while obviously (although in a stealth way) tell people the 32GTR is not as good. He purposely skipped the unblemished feats the 32 R did in motor sports. Every TRUE enthusiast know why the 33 isn't a popular choice among the R badge. Heck in the exclusive GT-R meets here, you can only see a few 33s, while the GT-R32 and 34 are the opposite.
LOL on you trying to punch him. haha. Maybe someday its your turn to make a book. I know your like the 32GTR, but as I read on your posts on forums etc. I know you aren't bias like Mr. Alexander here. :)
But I wish him well though after what you've said about him having a rough time. Oh and the LHD conversion of GT-Rs in countries that don't require LHD is indeed a bad idea. I wish I hadn't bought the book now. (Sorry Alex :)) Japanese GT-R books here are the real deal! Hard to comprehend sometimes though since I'm not good a Japanese yet. Is Alex the same guy behind elite tech U.K?