The “S54B Skyline 2000GT-B”, the origin of the legend of the Skyline GT-R
The legend of Nissan’s Skyline GT-R, which began with the Hakoska, is essential for those who love touring car racing based on production cars. 197 Kemmeri GT-Rs were produced, and the second generation R32 models with the RB26 engine-R34 type. The ancestor of the “red GT” emblem common to all these cars is the Prince “S54B Skyline 2000GT-B”.
Non-restored body with a surviving style
On May 5, 2024, Children’s Day, many old cars gathered at the “Senomoto Grand Prix 2024” held at Senomoto Highlands in Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture, and among them, we found a Prince “Skyline 2000GT-B” with what appeared to be a non-restored body that still had the appearance of those days. We approached the owner, who was enjoying the event with his wife, and to our surprise, he turned out to be Hideki Matsuzaki, the director of “The Sepia Collection” in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, which is well-known in the vintage car community.
“I was planning to participate in the event in a Mazda Cosmo Sport. However, an acquaintance asked me if we could all participate in the same car model. I was invited to participate in the event, so I came here in a hurry with this Skyline 2000GT. I got it about 41 years ago. I went to the previous owner’s house and finally got the car.
Matsuzaki drove a Toyota “Celica” and a Nissan “Hakosuka” when he was 20 years old. After driving these vehicles, which were already used even back then, he realized the appeal of old cars. In an era when cars were constantly evolving, it was normal for car enthusiasts to focus on the latest models, but Mr. Matsuzaki, going against the trend, was captivated by older cars. One of the cars he gradually added to his collection was the Skyline 2000GT-B.
“Of course, there are some parts that have been reworked since we got it, but the body is non-restored and left in the same condition as it was at the time. Instead, the engine was overhauled using new parts, including parts from outside the car, whenever possible.”
“Because it is a non-restoration, it is not a restoration of the car.
Because it is a non-restoration, it is by no means in a state of disrepair. Rather, it was a surprise that the car’s body condition was maintained in excellent condition.
translated by DeepL
