Nissan Skyline GT-R R33
Import a Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1995–1998
- Engine
- RB26DETT 2.6 L twin-turbo inline-six, all-wheel drive
About the R33
The R33 GT-R launched in January 1995 with the RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-six, rated at 280 PS and 368 Nm, and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive. A four-door Autech Version followed in 1998 and shares the BCNR33 code.
Often called the overlooked middle child, it is the cheapest RB26 GT-R relative to its rarity. Sources put production at between about 16,400 and 16,700 cars.
Nissan took the R33 to Le Mans. In 1995 NISMO entered the race in place of Nissan's works team, and the No. 22 NISMO GT-R LM of H. Fukuyama and S. Kasuya finished 10th overall and fifth in class. That car ran a Group N specification RB26DETT. Back home, the 1996 line-up added LM Limited versions of the standard car and the V-Spec, alongside the 2.8 L NISMO 400R at ¥12 million before tax.
- Engine
- RB26DETT 2,568 cc twin-turbo I6
- Power
- 280 PS
- Torque
- 37.5 kgm at 4,400 rpm
- Weight
- 1,540 kg (1995 V-Spec)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Drive
- All-wheel drive (ATTESA E-TS)
Can an R33 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on an R33
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Suspension turrets
They corrode from the inside because water is trapped between layers. Look for bulging, not just surface rust.
Boot and jacking points
Check for a damp boot floor from tired seals, and for crushed jacking points.
Body corrosion
Look at the rear arches, bonnet and boot lid.
Engine and gearbox
Listen for cold-start knocks and turbo bearing noise, and feel for synchro crunch on the test drive.
Turbos and AWD
Worth checking the ceramic turbos and the ATTESA pump, as on the R32.
What we check on every R33
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What an R33 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| R33 GT-R, CLASSIC.com market value range West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Sep 2026 | US$56,000–120,000 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Sep 2026 |
| 1995 R33 GT-R V-Spec, US auction sale West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Aug 2026 | US$62,000 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Aug 2026 |
| 1996 R33 GT-R V-Spec, US auction sale West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Aug–Sep 2026 | US$49,000 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Aug–Sep 2026 |
| R33 GT-R, Japan used-car average asking price, whole generation Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥12.18 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
| R33 GT-R built Feb 1997–Dec 1998, Japan used-car average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥13.7 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
R33 buyer questions
Is the R33 GT-R eligible for import?
Yes. Carsensor lists R33 GT-R production from January 1995 to December 1998, so every car has passed both Canada's 15-year rule and the US 25-year rule. Check the build month on the plate anyway, since both rules count from it.
Standard, V-Spec or LM Limited?
The V-Spec cost about ¥0.5 million more than the standard car when new and is the usual enthusiast choice. LM Limited cars were a 1996 run marking the Le Mans entry. The 400R is a rare 2.8 L NISMO car, so insist on documentation for any claimed special.
What does an R33 GT-R cost in Japan?
Carsensor's average asking price was about ¥12.2 million in October 2026, and about ¥13.7 million for the 1997–1998 facelift cars. Sample listings ran from about ¥8.4 million to ¥13.9 million. Freight, duty and compliance costs are extra.
Want an R33?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.