One of a kind, special, and rare model in the world
We visited shops across Japan that specialize in the GT-R, and asked users with a high concentration of R to share their love for the GT-R to the fullest. This time we visited CREWCH in Mie Prefecture, which has been increasing its presence in the GT-R market in recent years. This time we introduce Shinji Okuda, who drives one of the rarest R35 GT-Rs, a car that R35 fans would envy and enthusiasts would drool over!
“I want to continue to drive it carefully without modifying it”
At first glance, it appears to be just a 2013 model in Aurora Flare Blue Pearl, the image color of the mid-term models (2011-2016), but in fact, the car owned by Mr Okuda is quite rare in the R35 history.
The key points are the air ducts on either side of the front lip and the wheels with thick six spokes that fasten stiffly to the rims. Those who saw this and expected a high-performance Spec V model …… were unfortunately mistaken. The GT-R presented here is the Pure Edition for Track Pack, which was only available as a set option for the 2012 and 2013 Pure Edition models.
This is an appealing version of the Spec V, a special model designed for sports driving on circuits, with the same engine and brakes as the standard model, but with specially developed suspension and wheels, a front spoiler with carbon air ducts, and the removal of the rear seats. The seats also have the same shape as the standard model, but the use of non-slip upholstery and the blue lines on both sides of the seats assert that this is a special model.
It was not until April 2023 that Mr Okuda acquired this rare grade, which was only available for two years. Before that, he had owned a 2008 R35, but it began to have minor problems, such as cracks in the dashboard, which are characteristic of early models.
He first visited CREWCH for a maintenance consultation, but fell in love at first sight with an Aurora Flare Blue Pearl R35 he saw at the stockyard. He was told that in addition to being a rare track pack, it was also a development and demonstration car owned by Toshio Suzuki of NordRing (one of the legendary drivers of the past and a development driver of the R35 GT-R), and he decided to switch almost without hesitation. President Kuruuchi gave it to him with the promise that he would take good care of it and keep driving it.
“I originally liked the mid-term model, but I wanted to give it a bit of character, so I asked President Kurunouchi about it, and he showed me ‘this one’, which is my current car. It looks stock at a glance, but it has a rear bumper with large ducts, and circuit-spec dampers known as ‘red legs’, and the interior is full of Nord-Link parts, including carbon panels. It also has a NISMO titanium muffler, Project μ brake rotors and pads, and a roll cage in the rear.”
Sitting in the cockpit and holding the center-marked D-shaped steering wheel, Okuda says his mood naturally lifts. He says there are still many details about the car that are unknown to him, but despite being an amateur, he is very satisfied that the car has excellent total balance and does not need any modifications at all.
This track pack was finished by the R35 GT-R development driver. It is not an exaggeration to say that they have acquired a true treasure, as it is one of the rarest and most authentic cars of its kind.
translated by DeepL
