1989 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R Story: A 400HP JDM Legend in France

TL;DR (Key Takeaways)

• Lucas’s 1989 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R was a dream purchase from England, nearly rust-free, and equipped with a VEILSIDE widebody.

• Upgrades include N1 turbos, Apexi PowerFC, TEIN suspension, Varis carbon bonnet, R33 GTR brakes, and more, creating a true JDM masterpiece.

• The car was a fun, mountain-driving companion, meticulously restored and maintained, blending heritage, performance, and passion.

Owner: Drouineau Lucas

Car Model: 1989 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR 

Country: France

Performance Stats:400Hp

A Dream Come True in France

My name is Lucas. I’m 44, and I live in France. I was lucky enough to buy this Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R at a time when they were still affordable.

It felt surreal when I decided to have my wife pick it up in England. She had only seen a dimly lit car warehouse, untouched by the harsh sea air, and yet she brought back a gem with almost no rust — a rare stroke of luck. This car represented my first and last JDM dream — a symbol of years of admiration for the Skyline lineage, now tangible and alive in my hands.

The VEILSIDE Widebody and First Impressions

The R32 arrived with a complete VEILSIDE widebody kit (e-IV or DTM C, depending on the model), already boasting several high-performance upgrades: a large FMIC, N1 turbos, an oil cooler, TEIN suspension, a complete Kakimoto exhaust, and an Apexi PowerFC Pro ECU.

The first time I turned the key, the Kakimoto dual exhaust let out a sweet, throaty purr — it was liberating, a voice of the car that immediately told me this wasn’t just a machine; it was a living, breathing companion.

I treated it like royalty. Every detail mattered: I changed all hoses, seals, and bellows; replaced the gearbox; drained and refreshed all fluids; removed old stickers; and gave it a fresh paint job reminiscent of the legendary grey R34 Z-TUNE. Even the forged magnesium rims received a facelift, returning them to showroom-level brilliance.

Nismo, Compliance, and Personal Touches

Next, I hunted down a complete Nismo line that met JASMA standards, ensuring my GT-R could be fully approved in France. The headlights were modified to meet French regulations, and after fine-tuning the chassis, installing an R33 GTR brake kit, and restoring small details that didn’t feel right, I added subtle stickers for a sleeker aesthetic.

The crowning touch was a Varis carbon bonnet with an integrated air intake — functional, yet sculptural — perfectly balancing heritage with performance.

Performance Upgrades and Mechanical Heartbeat

Every part was chosen to amplify driving pleasure and reliability:

• GReddy cambelt, HKS adjustable cam pulley, engine torque damper
• OEM manifold and Nismo throttle gaskets, N1 turbos
• Apexi PowerFC with hand controller, Tial 50mm blowoff valve
• Big FMIC, silicon radiator hoses, Circle Earth kit
• GReddy oil filter relocation, low-temp thermostat, neodymium oil drain bolt
• Nismo oil pump, 650cc upgraded fuel injectors, Apexi power intake, aluminium air inlet
• Full Nismo JASMA exhaust, Nismo Super Coppermix twin-plate clutch, R33 GTR gearbox
• Full R33 GTR OEM brake caliper kit, Project Mu slotted discs and pads, Teflon brake lines
• Cusco negative camber arms, strut brace, adjustable sway bars, Nismo rear arms, TEIN coilovers
• ABS deleted, Genova Autostrada magnesium 18-inch wheels, personal steering wheel

Every upgrade was about driving experience, not just a spec sheet — making it a car that rewards you in every twist of a mountain road.

A Car of Fun, Not Shows

There were no plans to make this a showpiece. This was a mountain car — pure driving joy. Sadly, one day there was a crash, and unlike me, she didn’t survive.

Take care of yourselves and your cars — these machines carry not just power, but memories and passion.

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