1996 Nissan Skyline R33 GTST — My Story
I bought my R33 in 2021, not long after going through one of the hardest periods of my life. I wanted something I could put my time and energy into, and the Skyline quickly became that project.
When I bought it, it was a mostly stock RB25DET car. Not long into owning it, the engine failed and what should have been a good day ended with a 12-hour tow home.
Instead of walking away from it, I decided it was time to build the car properly.
The original RB25DET was eventually replaced with an RB25DET NEO, and from there the build kept growing. The NEO now runs a Garrett G30-660 turbo, 6Boost manifold, Kelford cams, upgraded fuel system, PRP ignition and Haltech management. The setup currently makes around 480whp, while still being a car I can actually get out and enjoy.
The exterior has gone through just as much of a transformation. It now wears a Pandem widebody, custom front bumper, carbon hood, BCL carbon wing and Weds Kranze Shoki 3-piece wheels, with the car currently finished in Hexis Wasabi Green Matte.
But the Skyline has become about a lot more than horsepower and parts.
After losing my wife in 2020, the car community became a big part of getting me back out into the world. Building the Skyline gave me something to focus on, while shows and events introduced me to people who have become an important part of my life.
Since then, the R33 has taken me to shows, earned Best Import, helped me connect with sponsors and opened doors to opportunities I never expected when I first brought it home.
The car has broken, been rebuilt and changed countless times — and every version of it represents a different point in the journey.
There will always be another part to change, another idea to try and another goal for the car.
The Skyline started as a project. Somewhere along the way, it became part of my story.
