If you close your eyes and think about a silver Nissan Skyline with blue stripes, you can probably hear the high-pitched whine of a turbocharger and the "psshhh" of a blow-off valve. That specific Fast and Furious GTR isn't just a car anymore. It’s a cultural landmark. It represents a shift in how an entire generation of kids—now adults with bank accounts—look at Japanese performance.
Honestly, before Paul Walker drove that R34 in 2 Fast 2 Furious, most Americans didn't even know what a Skyline was. It was forbidden fruit. You couldn't buy one at a dealership in Ohio. You couldn't even legally import one easily back then.
The R34 Skyline that Broke the Internet Before the Internet Was Ready
The silver and blue R34 GT-R from the second film is arguably the most recognizable of the bunch. But there's a weird bit of history here. Most people think it was just a movie prop, but the "hero car" was actually Paul Walker’s personal vehicle for a while. Craig Lieberman, the technical advisor for the early films, has talked extensively about how they sourced these cars. They weren't just looking for "cool" looks; they needed cars that felt authentic to the tuner scene that was exploding in Southern California at the time.
The car in the opening race of 2 Fast 2 Furious was a 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R. It wasn't stock. Far from it. Under that hood was the legendary RB26DETT engine, a 2.6-liter twin-turbo inline-six that could be tuned to produce astronomical horsepower.
Why the Fast and Furious GTR Mattered So Much
It’s about the "forbidden fruit" factor. In the early 2000s, the R34 was illegal in the United States due to the 25-year import rule. This created a mythic status. Seeing Brian O'Conner pilot this beast through the streets of Miami made it the ultimate underdog story against the domestic muscle cars usually featured in Hollywood.
The MotoRex Connection
You can't talk about the Fast and Furious GTR without mentioning MotoRex. This was the company that figured out a legal loophole to bring a handful of R34s into the States. The car used in the film was one of these rare, federally legalized imports.
Interestingly, the production team actually had several cars for filming.
- The "Hero 1" car: This was the real deal, fully tuned and used for close-ups.
- The stunt cars: These were often lesser models, like the GT-S, modified to look like GT-Rs.
- The "bridge jump" car: This was basically a shell with a remote control setup because, obviously, you aren't going to jump a $100,000 rare import over a bridge for real.
The Evolution to the R35 in Later Films
As the franchise grew from street racing to global heist movies, the Fast and Furious GTR evolved too. By the time we got to Fast & Furious (the fourth one), Brian was back in an R34, but it was a more "refined," clean version in Bayside Blue. No stickers. No neon. Just raw performance.
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Then came the R35.
When Nissan finally released the GT-R globally in 2008, the "forbidden" allure changed. Now, you could buy one at a local Nissan dealer. In Fast Five and Furious 6, the R35 became the new standard. It was faster, more technologically advanced, and suited the higher stakes of the later films.
But let's be real. It never quite captured the soul of the R34.
Technical Reality vs. Movie Magic
Hollywood loves to exaggerate. In the movies, the Fast and Furious GTR seems to have 18 gears and a nitrous button that defies the laws of physics. In reality, the RB26 engine is a masterpiece of engineering, but it’s not magic.
The R34 used an advanced All-Wheel Drive system called ATTESA E-TS. This system could split torque between the front and rear wheels almost instantly. It's what made the car handle like it was on rails. In the movies, however, you’ll notice Brian drifting it like a rear-wheel-drive car. To achieve this, the stunt coordinators often had to disconnect the front driveshafts.
It’s a bit of a trade-off. You lose the technical brilliance of the GT-R to get the cinematic "cool" factor of a sideways slide.
The 2009 "Clean" R34
In the fourth film, Paul Walker famously requested a "clean" GT-R. He was a genuine car enthusiast—a "petrolhead" in the truest sense. He hated the over-the-top graphics of the early 2000s. The Bayside Blue R34 he drove in that movie had no decals, a simple East Bear body kit, and Volk Racing RE30 wheels.
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That car recently sold at auction for over $1.3 million. That's not just "movie car" money; that's "historical artifact" money.
The Legacy of Brian O'Conner's GTR
We have to address the elephant in the room: the tragedy of Paul Walker. His real-life passion for the Nissan Skyline platform cemented the car's legacy. He wasn't just an actor reading lines; he was a guy who spent his weekends at the track.
When people see a Fast and Furious GTR today, they aren't just seeing a Nissan. They are seeing a tribute to a man who helped bring car culture into the mainstream.
Common Misconceptions About the Movie Cars
- They were all fast. Nope. Most were stunt buckets with barely enough power to get out of their own way.
- The R34 was the only one. Brian actually drove an R33 in the first movie (the "Big Bird" yellow one), but it gets overshadowed by the Supra and the later R34.
- The nitrous was real. Most of the time, those "purge" shots were just CO2 tanks rigged to nozzles.
How to Get the "Fast and Furious" Look Today
If you're looking to build a tribute or just want that vibe, the market has changed significantly.
Wait for the 25-Year Rule
The R34 is finally becoming legal to import into the US as of 2024. This has caused prices to skyrocket. A genuine GT-R will now set you back anywhere from $150,000 to $400,000 depending on the trim and condition.
The Parts List
If you want the 2 Fast 2 Furious look, you're looking for:
- C-West body kit
- HRE 446 wheels (good luck finding these)
- The "Silver with Blue Stripes" livery
- Blue underglow (very 2003, but necessary for the vibe)
The Modern Route
Many enthusiasts are opting for the R35 and applying tribute liveries. It's more reliable, easier to find, and significantly faster out of the box. But it lacks that nostalgic "clink-clink" of the R34's manual gearbox.
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The Impact on the Used Market
Because of the Fast and Furious GTR, the price of every Japanese sports car from the 90s has gone insane. It’s called the "Fast and Furious tax."
- Supras are $100k+.
- RX-7s are $60k+.
- Even the lowly 240SX, which used to be a $2,000 "drift missile," is now a "collector's item."
We can thank (or blame) Brian O'Conner for that.
Actionable Steps for Enthusiasts and Collectors
If you're serious about the Fast and Furious GTR legacy, here is what you need to do right now.
Check the Import Dates
The 1999 R34 GT-R became legal for US import in January 2024. If you are looking for a specific production month, use a Japanese VIN decoder to ensure you aren't trying to bring in a car that will be seized by Customs.
Research the "V-Spec" and "V-Spec II" Differences
Don't just buy the first Skyline you see. The V-Spec models come with better aero and a more advanced Pro version of the AWD system. If you're spending six figures, you need the documentation to prove it's the real deal.
Verify the Cinema History
If someone tries to sell you a "screen-used" Fast and Furious GTR, demand the Certificate of Authenticity and cross-reference the VIN with known production lists. Many "movie cars" are actually replicas built after the fact by fans.
Consider a GT-T if the GT-R is Too Expensive
The R34 GT-T is the rear-wheel-drive, single-turbo version. It looks very similar to the GT-R once you swap the fenders and bumpers, but it costs a fraction of the price. It's the most common way to build a Brian O'Conner tribute without taking out a second mortgage.
The Fast and Furious GTR changed the way the world looks at Japanese cars. It turned a niche hobby into a global phenomenon. Whether you love the flashy lights of the early films or the raw power of the later ones, there is no denying that the Skyline is the soul of the franchise.