At an event like the Essen Motor Show, packed with wildly modified cars, it’s hard for a subtle-looking build to stand out. But when I saw this white-on-white BNR32 Nissan Skyline GT-R at this year’s event, I couldn’t help but stop and stare.
At first glance it seems like just another Skyline, and in a way it is. But as I looked closer, the car’s story began to reveal itself. Fortunately, the owner of 14 years, Filip Berndtwas ready to walk me through the details as I snapped away.
The first thing I noticed about the Skyline is the fact that it has been restored by Markenstein Fahrzeugtechnik – a Porsche specialist based in Alsdorf, Germany – a rather unexpected choice.
Mechanically, it’s as fresh as the day it rolled off Nissan’s production line.
But it is more than just a restoration. The Skyline also features a powertrain upgrade with N1-spec turbos, an ARC Group A air filter, an HKS EVC5 boost controller and more. The result is a healthy 450 hp, a notable bump from the factory: 280 hp.
The exterior has been subtly enhanced with a carbon fiber Abflug front splitter, Group-A style carbon fiber front bumper vents, N1 headlamps and a Top Secret rear diffuser. Custom K-Sport airbag mounts paired with Air lift performance 3H management gives the R32 an ultra-low stance when parked.
To complete the look, the car sits on ultra-rare white Nismo LMGT1 wheels, chosen to match the Crystal White paint of the body.
As part of the restoration, every decal and sticker on the car has been replaced with new OEM parts, maintaining the factory-fresh feel.
There are a few extra details that I had to photograph: one was Akira Nakai’s signature on the spoiler and the other an original Nismo sticker on the Fujimura Auto missile cover.
At the end of the shoot, Phillip suggested I check out another of his cars at the show: a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII in Puma colour.
“They are completely different cars, but when you park them next to each other you realize they belong to the same owner,” Phillip told me, referring to the shared details of both cars. Sure enough, I noticed the R32-style Gurney flap on the Evo’s wing, adorned with a Ralliart badge in the same spot where the Nismo logo adorns the GT-R.
When Phillip said the Evo is fitted with Nismo LMGT4 wheels to match the R32’s LM GT1s, I was skeptical. But when I saw the car I was impressed. The 40th Anniversary Edition wheels, with their polished lips, match the Evo’s color scheme nicely. The only connection between the two cars that I couldn’t verify was the interior, where Phillip explained that both share similar carpets and chrome harness bars.
What I admire most about this R32 Skyline GT-R is the attention to detail. It exudes the clean, precise aesthetic often associated with the German tuning scene, but applied to a true JDM performance car icon.
Steve Edward
Instagram: stevedwrd
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