While film buffs are looking forward to the release of the action blockbuster Fast and Furious 10, one of the franchise’s most famous cars, the 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R driven by the late Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 4 will have another starring role next month, featuring in a dedicated stand-alone online auction hosted by Bonhams from 28 April.
One of the most famous modern-day movie cars, this is the ‘one and only’ authentic R34 GT-R appearing on screen in the movie, which featured in the hero shots with Paul Walker, including one of the late actor sitting on its hood.
Provided to Universal Film Studios in 2008, the 2nd generation 2000 GT-R was uniquely customised by Daryl Alison of Kaizo Industries to Paul Walker’s personal specification, which is how the car is offered.
The conversion work included the installation of a custom roll cage, a bespoke dashboard-mounted PC and OMP custom racing bucket seats – which remain in Paul Walker’s seating position today. A Turbonetics intercooler was added to the 2.6-litre twin-turbo straight six engine, twinned with a six-speed manual transmission.
Externally, the GT-R was enhanced with 19 x 11 Volk Racing RE30 wheels and a Nismo NE-1 exhaust. The actor also personally expressed his wish not to drive a ‘Sticker Bomber’ and so the car’s vinyls and other decorations were removed, highlighting the clean, classic lines of the Bayside Blue Skyline.
The GT-R featured extensively in the motion picture: tearing through Los Angeles in a high-stakes street race and being used for smuggling over the Mexican border. The action sequences, including the car being blown up in a fireball, were carried out by six replica Skyline stunt cars, of which four were GT-T rear wheel drive non-turbo models. The body of another was mounted onto an off-road dune buggy for a jump shot and a cut-out body ‘buck’ car mounted on a trailer was used for in-car shots – all dressed to resemble this original GT-R.
Bonhams said: “In its iconic Bayside Blue colour, this scene-stealing modern classic is unquestionably one of the most notable and covetable vehicles from the most celebrated automotive film franchise of all time.
“What’s more, the timeless Nissan GT-R has seen an exponential rise in global interest and this is one of, if not the most significant example of the ‘Godzilla’ in the world, with an unmatched provenance.
“It is an instantly recognisable example of a timeless design, built to the precise personal specification of a most celebrated (and now sadly missed) true enthusiast. This is surely a don’t miss opportunity for any Skyline enthusiast or a Fast & Furious fan.”
The film star GT-R will be offered as a functional car, offered from long-term museum display, complete with a copy of the Universal Pictures rental contract. Estimate on request.
The dedicated auction will go live on Friday 28 April closing a week later on Friday 5 May, 17.00 BST.
Meanwhile the GT-R can be viewed at Motorworld, Munich until 26 April.
