Ever wanted to import a left hand drive Nissan Skyline GT-R? From Nissan, the R34 Skyline GT-R was only ever produced as a right hand drive model. . This car was a one off car, done in the US by a company that no longer exists. They did an R33 GTR and an R34 GTR. The R33 is somewhere in the US , although I have not heard of it in a while. The R34 went to Australia , got a big build , and then it was exported to the Philippines.
I drove this Bayside Blue (TV2) R34 Skyline GT-R briefly, and it was a little bit different. I am so used to driving GT-R's right hand drive , that sitting on the left hand side felt a bit funny. It had to have the rear turbo outlet tube modified to clear the steering shaft , and it had many other modifications to make it work , but it did work. However, it was not worth it for most people. They didn't want to pay a huge amount of money just to drive on the left side. Alexander passed away this year. March 9th. Pen in hand, working on his next project.
1999 R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R's turn 25 years old (and NHTSA exempt) in 2024. If you are looking to purchase and store an R34 GT-R in Japan, prior to them turning 25 years old, check out Toprank International Vehicle Importers
R34 GT-R for sale at Toprank Global. Buy and store until it turns 25 years old.
Way back in the 90's, the R34 GT-R was one of the first cars to get a color digital multi function display(MFD). While common place these days, in 1999 it was very cool. There were two different setups/displays, although it does actually get a little more complicated than that. There are two parts to the MFD the screen itself, and the boards that drive the screen. There are early and late screens. There is also a NISMO version of the MFD, that has boards, lap timer, RS232 connector, and shows G sensor readings. Also a 2 bar map sensor/display on the Version 2.
This is an R34 Vspec screen. Notice the EXH-TEMP and INT- TEMP. The non Vspecs didn't show these two rows. However, its possible to trick the MFD into showing these two rows. The intercooler temp sensor is on the early cars, but the EGT sensor is not.
Ground pin#45 or connect the 2 EGT sensor pins together (in engine compartment). The EGT sensor is normally located on the rear turbo outlet/ oxygen sensor housing.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 represents the final evolution of the legendary RB26-powered GT-R before the R35 took over. Built from 1999 to 2002, the R34 GT-R is one of the most sought-after Japanese performance cars in the world. Thanks to the 25-year import rule, more R34 GT-Rs are becoming fully legal for import to the U.S.—but buying one requires knowledge and caution. This guide covers everything you need to know before buying or importing an R34 GT-R.
Notice the early Bayside Blue cars have black engine compartments. They also have a factory aluminum radiator, and the fusebox cover is white letters vs yellow in the later cars.
RB26DETT (final revision): 2.6L twin-turbo, solid lifters (same as prior RB26), ball-bearing ceramic turbos (N1 models used steel wheels)
Getrag V160 6-speed transmission (exclusive to R34 GT-R)
ATTESA E-TS Pro AWD system with active rear differential
Multi-Function Display (MFD)
NATS immobilizer system
Common Issues To Watch For
Drivetrain & Engine
Getrag V160 rebuild cost ($10K–$15K)
Transfer case & diff leaks
Oil pump drive collar wear
Turbo failure (ceramic wheels)
Ignition coil pack failures
Electrical
MFD screen failures
ATTESA sensor failures
HVAC blend door motor failures
Climate control LCD failures
Airbag system issues
Body
Strut tower and underbody rust
Rear wheel arch corrosion
Cracked dashboards (UV exposure)
Seat wear
Compliance & Legal Issues (U.S. Buyers)
Verify 25-year eligibility (build date)
Proper NHTSA, EPA, DOT documentation
State registration issues
California CARB compliance is extremely strict
Aftermarket Modifications
Modification
Notes
Exhaust
Common aftermarket upgrade
Intake
Pod filters, upgraded intercoolers
ECU
Haltech, Link, Emtron, Nistune, etc.
Turbos
Upgraded twin or single turbos
Suspension
Coilovers (Tein, HKS, Ohlins)
Brakes
R35 Brembo swaps common
Wheels
Almost always changed from OEM
Note: Improper modifications and bad tuning increase risk. Mechanical condition is always priority #1.
Dealer consignments (fully vet compliance paperwork)
FAQ
Is the R34 GT-R legal in the U.S.? Yes, if imported under the 25-year rule with full documentation.
Why is the R34 GT-R so expensive? Limited production, global demand, strict U.S. import laws, and its iconic status.
Is financing available? Some specialty lenders offer financing for imported vehicles.
Is it a good investment? Excellent long-term collector value if properly documented and maintained.
Final Thoughts
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is one of the most iconic JDM cars ever made. Buying one isn’t simple — due diligence, trusted importers, and expert inspections make all the difference.
Why the R34 GT-R Wasn’t a Commercial Success: The Story Behind the Legend
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is one of the most beloved Japanese sports cars of all time. Yet, despite its legendary status today, the R34 GT-R was not a commercial success during its production run from 1999 to 2002. So what went wrong?
🇯🇵 1. Japan’s Lost Decade and the Asset Bubble Hangover
By the late 1990s, Japan was still recovering from the collapse of its 1980s economic bubble. The domestic market was shrinking, wages were stagnant, and consumer confidence was low. The R34, though highly engineered, was released into a market with little appetite for expensive performance cars.
💴 2. The Strong Yen and Export Limits
The R34 was never officially exported to the U.S. due to cost and compliance issues. A strong Japanese yen also made it less competitive globally. The car’s ¥5,000,000+ price tag limited buyers to Japan and a few RHD markets.
📉 3. Limited Sales Numbers and High Complexity
Only 11,578 R34 GT-Rs were produced. With complex tech like ATTESA Pro AWD and the MFD, it was costly to manufacture and maintain. For a company on the brink of collapse, it wasn’t sustainable.
🛠️ 4. Ghosn’s Restructuring at Nissan
In 1999, Carlos Ghosn stepped in to rescue Nissan from collapse. Under his leadership, non-core projects were cut. The R34, expensive and low-volume, was discontinued in 2002 as part of the survival plan.
🎮 5. Video Games & Fast & Furious Saved the Icon
Gran Turismo 2 introduced the R34 GT-R to gamers worldwide.
The R34 found new life in Gran Turismo, Need for Speed, and especially in 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) when Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner drove a silver-blue R34—sourced and legalized by MotoRex and championed by Craig Lieberman.
“Gran Turismo put the R34 in our hands. Fast & Furious put it in our hearts.”
🏎️ 6. R35 GT-R: The Global Reboot
In 2007, Nissan rebooted the GT-R as the R35—a standalone, LHD-friendly, emissions-compliant global product. It became a worldwide hit and proved that the GT-R formula could be commercially viable with the right strategy.
🔚 7. R34’s Legacy: A Legend Born Too Soon
Today, the R34 GT-R is a six-figure collectible. Its blend of technology, design, and mythos has secured its place in automotive history—too advanced and too expensive for its time, but cherished by enthusiasts everywhere.
Want to own one? Browse our R34 GT-R inventory here or explore more R34 content.
Its 2024, and the first R34 GT-R are legal to import to the US without restrictions as they turn 25 years old!. In addition to the R34 GT-R, the Nissan Silvia S15 also starts turning 25 years old. Toprank Importers is a leading Japanese car importer that specializes in storing R34 GT-Rs in Japan until they are 25 years old. Toprank Importers has a team of experienced professionals who will take care of your R34 GT-R while it is in storage.
Financing Available for vehicles in the United States or in our inventory in Japan. We can finance vehicles in our inventory in Japan as long as they are stored with us. This financing option is only available to US residents. . Nationwide Shipping Available Please contact us for details. 844-523-2233 or sales@importavehicle.com
1320 video and Jun Imai from Kaido House at Toprank in Japan
If you want to purchase a later R34 now- 2000,2001, or 2002, Toprank can store the vehicle for you in Japan until its legal to import to the States. We can also finance vehicles in Japan with qualifying credit. So if you don't want to wait for the inevitable increase in prices once the R34 turns 25 years old, this is your way to get a cheap Nissan Skyline. The further you look out, the less expensive of an R34 you will find. The cars were made until August of 2002, so some cars can't come into the country until 2027.
Buy USA Legal R32, R33, and R34 Skylines at Toprank Importers! When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network
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.jpg "1999 NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R FOR SALE IN CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA")
