The 168th production unit has been preserved as it was at the time

CREWCH, a classic car shop in Mie Prefecture, runs the CREWCH Museum, which houses a collection of rare and valuable models. This white Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R, also known as Kenmeri GT-R, is one of the cars in their collection. It has only been repainted on the body but remains in fully original condition, and the details of the car, as it was in 1973, can be seen.

Kenmeri represents the Japanese social conditions of the 70s

While its predecessor had a hardcore racing image, this model adopted a softer sales strategy, and the song used in the television advertisement was also a big hit. The town of Biei-cho in Hokkaido, where the adverts were filmed, is still a popular tourist destination.

For longtime Nissan fans, the Kenmeri Skyline 2000 GT-R (KPGC110, introduced in 1973) with its inline 6-cylinder DOHC 24-valve S20 engine (maximum power: 160hp at 7,000 rpm), is as special as the previous-generation Skyline 2000 GT-R aka Hako. 

The Love Skyline (Ai-no-Skyline) was used in the previous model of advertisement was continued on this Kenmeri generation, and a sporty 2000 GT-R model was offered, although the marketing strategy was softer.

Keep it original without further repairs in the future.

The Kenmeri GT-R was fitted with front and rear over-fenders, a special radiator grille, and a rear spoiler. Enthusiasts call it the “Phantom GT-R”. The reason for this is that only 197 units of the KPGC110 Skyline 2000 GT-R were produced. The race car version, which was expected at the time of launch, was only a concept car and was never marketed.

The reason it is called the Phantom GT-R is said to be because the S20 engine no longer met the 1973 emissions regulations; a rumor has it that only 197 S20 engines were in stock, which is why it was produced in such small numbers.

Another opinion is that there were only 197 Solex carbs left for the S20 engine. Stringent emission regulations led to the discontinuation of Japanese sports cars one by one. The Kenmeri GT-R was another unfortunate model that appeared at the wrong time.

CREWCH’s Kenmeri GT-R has a rusted steel grille and damaged emblem paint, but the car was left as has been without repair. The exhaust manifold and airbox also retain their original parts, too. CREWCH’s goal is to preserve as many of the original parts as possible and to keep each part in its original condition.