1997 Nissan Skyline, GTS25-t R33

shed in Sonic Silver (KR4) the exterior is off by refreshed Series II bodywork, late-model Cima alloys, and a sleek factory rear spoiler. Showing only a few dings, chips, and spots of paint fade from daily use, there’s little to complain about cosmetically, and discerning purchasers will appreciate the 79k miles on the clock. The turbocharged, rear wheel drive layout is tough to beat, and the platform is well supported here stateside. This Japanese Classic feels right at home on stateside streets, now all it needs is an eager new owner! The R33’s interior has always been a highlight of the chassis, and to this day it’s remained one of Nissan’s most spacious designs. The materials and amenities are quality, from the soft-touch vinyl dash to the durable patterned cloth seats, which have resisted any unwanted wear and tear over the years. Dual SRS airbags are up front too, to give you and your passengers some peace of mind behind the wheel. Additional comfort items include a tilt adjustable steering column for the driver, and a digital automatic climate control unit that pumps cold A/C and hot heat into the cabin with haste. Adjacent to the HVAC, period-correct Panasonic audio works like a charm and fits right in with the 90’s aesthetic. As you’d expect, the power windows, locks, and mirrors are operable, down to their power folding function. A grey suede material reflects in the door cards, and the headliner and carpets are in good nick to boot. We think the 33’s interior design has aged quite gracefully, and we’ve even retained the original owner’s manual and some maintenance booklets to preserve the history of this lovely Skyline. Aside from some extremely minor bolster wear and a sticky tachometer, there’s little to complain about overall. Under the hood is one of our favorite powerplants, the RB25DET. Beloved for its ease of service, abundant parts availability, and jaw dropping performance, these inline sixes are true powerhouses, and ours is fresh off a comprehensive recent service. To start, a new timing belt and water pump were dropped in to get you on track for future maintenance schedules, and we replaced the thermostat and radiator to regulate engine temps. After an oil and filter service and coolant flush, it was ready for its next round of maintenance, care of new valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, and a fresh 12v battery to aid ignition. A new engine air filter and fuel filter assist combustion, and with the work performed it really flies up to highway speeds. The automatic gearbox makes good use of the RB’s prodigious power and torque, and the transmission benefits from a fluid flush. The coilover suspension gobbles up road imperfections with ease, and we bolstered things with new front shocks, sway bar links, and a fresh alignment. The steering rack was removed and rebuilt with new seals, tie rods, and boost here, and the ABS brakes are shored up with new front brake pads and rotors. Capping off the laundry list of maintenance are four new tires, which should last you for a good while to go. Keep it stock or modify it to high heaven, this R33 is a perfect base, and one of the cleanest examples we’ve seen this year!