The Nissan Skyline doesn’t need much in the way of an introduction if you’ve followed the import sports car scene with even just a passing interest. What’s talked about less frequently is the lineage that accompanies that namesake, as the Skyline was born decades earlier with the fanfare that can only come with besting (temporarily) the monstrous Porsche 904 on the Suzuka Circuit. The Skyline legend would only build from there, and today, finding an early production model will demand parting with close to six figures in order to buy a decent one. Here’s a far more affordable option: buy this battered Nissan Skyline Hakosuka listed here on Yahoo! Japan with an opening bid of 3,000,000 yen, or just under $29,000 US.
Of course, “battered” may be too generous of a description for what we’re looking at here. It’s total carnage, really, with not a single body panel left that hasn’t been ravaged by rust. The Skyline is located in the Fukuoka Prefecture of Japan, and over the years, there’s been plenty of evidence shared by urban explorers that show how cruel the local climate can be to vintage tin. Cars parked with any proximity to the ocean are certain goners, and if this Skyline weren’t a sports car of some significance, it almost certainly would have been scrapped eons ago.
Wow – that interior makes a big project downright gargantuan. There’s no interior to speak of, with door panels, carpeting, and most of the dash long gone. It makes you wonder if this Skyline – like a Camaro RS/SS or Mustang Mach 1 over here – was used as a parts rig for many years before someone realized prices were going up and it’d be worth saving for later on when an already-limited supply dried up even further. Now, I’m sure some of you are looking at this and wondering why an enthusiast would try and save such a rough specimen. Well, in addition to limited supply, there’s also this great article from Road and Track describing the Skyline’s on-track exploits involving a Porsche 904.
Oh, in case you were counting on finding a mill in this tired rust bucket, no dice – you are truly starting from scratch, and finding a date-coded engine that matches what this Skyline originally had under hood is going to be almost impossible. Skylines of this generation left the factory with a 2.8L inline-six engine (my displacement figure may be slightly off), a race-ready motor the likes of what you’ll see in the Road & Track video link I shared above. I’m truly curious what will happen with this car, as the listing notes that the right front pillar is broken due to rust and it’s basically being balanced in place with metal pipes and a pallet. It really defies common sense to restore it, but that’s rarely proven to be an obstacle for the truly committed.
Rejoice! Behold the winner of the “you’ve got to be kidding” award for February.
Is it April 1st already?
This is another example of the reason of law (known as Shaken Law) pertaining to vehicle ownership, in which very few cars are able to meet (or have their owners AFFORD to meet) registration requirements after 4 or 5 years..
Pretty obvious I have not followed the import sports car scene. I don’t think I missed anything though.
Pretty sure you along with everyone else haven’t followed the culture, Unless you have been living under a rock one would know if this car is featured that it deserves merit. Next time walking around at your local Walmart check the Hot Wheels. You will see one.
Think if it as anything Chrysler in the 60’s-70’s that has been found that came with a Hemi.
Understanding the Japanese and their culture they are like us. They are car people in a big way. This is their heritage and demands respect. As it may be. They do not sit around like all the old farts here do and disrespect the very things they do not understand. It’s a car and they are good with it. Where do you think all the square body Chevy trucks are going?
This car is NOT a joke. It is the Holy Grail of Japanese cars. Second only to maybe a Toyota 2000GT.
Not sure why your comment is directed at me. True, I do not understand the Japanese and their culture. Not sure I had to, did not see it in the membership notes. When I crawl out from under my rock this Spring I will check them out. A Nissan Skyline may be the Holy Grail of Japanese cars. But this car IS a joke. Just one of many I have seen here. I do enjoy learning from the commenters in Europe and Oz. Been here for many years and have yet to see a comment from Japan. Don’t bother looking for me at Wal-mart, you will not find me there. Take care, Mike.
Seller must think he has a ’68 Charger…
Leinidude, The comment was not directed to you. It is to pretty much for everyone who has not a clue at what they are looking at. I will admit this is a poor example of a very rare car. The best place to see what it is all about go to Motor Trend TV JDM Legends. There is quite a sincere passion for these here in the US.
Seeing the left for dead body above illustrates the many American muscle cars found in this condition we see pop up. They too were worthless at one time.
Thanks for the reply. I, like you, most likely enjoy all motorsports. Just so many. And that is super. I will check out Motor Trend TV JDM Legends. Thanks for the heads up. New info is great. Take care, Mike.
Let JDM buy it, I don’t believe they will jump on this shell. All the good pieces are gone!
Seller must think he has a ’68 Charger…
This is the Japanese version of a Hemi Charger.
Maybe the buyer of the Swiss Porsche will add
this to their collection.
Yep, sistership to Das Boot.
I think you ment swish cheese
Oh my gosh! 30K for what? There is nothing left to this thing! Even if I had an extra 30K laying around, I still wouldn’t buy this rusted out hulk. I would give it to the food bank, women’s shelter, or any other charity before I would ever spend it on something like this.
I’m sure there was a translation mix-up, they must mean they will pay $29,000 for someone to take it.
Why hell would someone put that thing up for sale nothing left of the body
Because it is one of 113 produced and is Japan’s 1965 Shelby GT350R.
That’s joke
In JApan 29000 US dollars=100 Yen
😉
I guess that is a good deal in Japan 😜
Isn’t that where the nuke reactor had an issue??? Car must nave been close by.
Junk! Worst barn finds post ever!
In 2017, one of these sold at auction for $92,700 in what might be described as condition 3-/4+ with Bondo, modifications, and missing parts. This one would probably cost at least $300K to restore, but I suppose it might work out if Japan still cares about Nissans when you’re done.
Godzilla was going to stomp on whats left of this but he hasnt had his tetnus shot.
No low ballers, I know what I have.
No interior, no motor or trans and the body is a rusted heap. What is there to restore.
It’s not even good for a parts car
Looks like glass, door handles and tail lights… except the tail lights aren’t attached to the because the rear panel rusted off lol Oh and a steering box $30K well spent
I was trying to think of a North American equivalent to this.
Maybe if someone showed up with a documented factory hemi cuda ,(shell?)
Even that I think would be stretching it.
Just think of the Hemi Cuda that the rebuilt from what was left of the firewall! ;-)
Everybody b**chin’ about the price as if you’re trying to buy one. Please…
Don’t make me turn this car hauler-around and purchase this beast.
You know I’ll do it..,.
This is a future Barrett Jackson sale waiting to hapoen.
Great video from Road and Track!
I think it’s a fukuover…
Why would anyone think this pile of junk is worth buying, and why would Barnfinds think anyone would want to see this?
Worth buying? Not to me, but somebody might want some rusty wall art.
Why would Barnfinds thing anyone would want to see it? 25 comments so far, and I don’t know how many views. I think they were right. You and I clicked on the article didn’t we? I learned something from Jeff’s write-up and am glad I read it.
You looked.
I needed a good laugh.
Why would a “Barnfinds” reader like myself want to read about this?
Because I happen to LIKE old cars. Duh.
And I find stories like this interesting.
This particular specimen is in terrible shape, but if someone wants to put the time and money into it, that’s their business.
The asking price is ridiculous, but this very rare car is still worth SOMETHING.
Remember what happened with the only Studebaker woody in existence?
No, but I’m sure you’ll tell us.
That’s only slightly more 1971 Skyline than I have. :)
Ashes to ashes rust to rust!
If Craigslist don’t getcha than Barn Finds must!
Wow. Here in Nashville we have a branch of the largest JDM dealer in the country, so I went to their website and searched “Skyline”. Nothing came up from this era, either in their inventory or their private collection. That being said, this one is a pile of Bovine Scatology.
I agree that the price and condition of this hulk makes the whole situation crazy, but the incredibly negative comments are unnecessary. The Nissan skyline is one of the Asian car markets unicorns. It is a legend to those who like and collect vintage Japanese tin. It’s the same as the crazy prices people pay for the rotten remains of a Hemi Cuda, a Ford Bronco, a VW Microbus, or a Porsche 911. Just because it is not on most American car collectors radar does not mean there is no interest. There are those of us who frequent this page who tire of the endless posts of Corvettes, Mustangs, Corvettes, Mopars, Corvettes, Broncos and Corvettes. Don’t get me wrong, I like all those cars, but I really love the variety posted here. The focus car here is junk by any definition, but the bidding proves the cult following these cars have and the author did a good job introducing us to the legend behind the Skyline. We don’t need to be negative about that. If you are not interested, don’t read it….
In the words of your fearless leader,, “C’mon Man”
Ran when parked……
IMHO that is a high retail for some original glass….
Love the patina! Had to be said, I’ll take the bullet lol. Many years ago when the hobby was still affordable, I went to a car show and saw a binder of pictures that took a car nearly this bad to near concours condition by the owner. That was a labor of love worth the money, and this could be too. And I love seeing things like this on Barnfinds, something never to be seen again on BATQueen
An insult to the intelligence of the common man.
Seriously! This is a whole new level of stupid. I thought the Porsche at the bottom of the lake was the most ridiculous barn find ever. Of course someone would out do it.
1.) This is a GTX model, not a GTR.
2.) It DID NOT come with a 2.8L, this one came with a sohc 2.0 inline 6 (L20) and the GTR came with a dohc 2.0 inline six (S20).
3.) 2.8L was a popular upgrade when people were making GTR “replicas” in Japan.
3.) This is a terrible buy, you can by a built GTR replica for $40k.
29k for a pos?
And to have it shipped here?
I don’t think so Tim.
BEAM ME UP SCOTTY…….I just landed in crazy land !!!
“Thank God Americans don’t engage in crazy thoughts.”
Um…!
And the Loch Ness Monster’s very much over here, by the way.
The Nissan Hiroshima
I’ll give $29.00 for it if the seller agrees to pay shipping costs to the U.S.
Seriously, my son has a ‘93 Skyline GTR and I can’t believe the attention that thing gets. People literally stop in their tracks and point when they see it. Not my cup of tea, but they have a strong worldwide following. This one looks like a piece of junk
Remove the door handle and put a new car behind it.
Perhaps the seller thinks someone will want to transplant the VIN tag and other identifying pieces (if any are usable) into one of the “replicas”, so that it suddenly become a supposed “real” one. Not unlike a 69 ZL1 Camaro that a couple of 2″ x 6″ sections with the hidden VIN stamps are the only thing left of the real car, yet it still brings huge money every time it is auctioned … Fraud in my book, but it happens a lot more than people realize.
I wouldn’t pay 29 cents for this turd.
Because of its significance, I wouldn’t restore it and drive it as is.
Total junk. They were when new. Just a early Sentra. Who would fix this??????. Somebody would be really mad at their money.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I don’t care if it’s a combination of a Hemi ‘cuda convertible, a 500 window Combi and James Dean’s Porsche. It’s a rusted out, incomplete POS.
I wouldn’t count on this Skyline getting back on the road unless someone took it to a metal fabricator that could hand form new sheet metal. How could someone let this car deteriorate so badly?
Must be that Japanese salt air!
I fully get the beauty of the JDM stuff but this one need to be re-buried back where they found it.
“Just a [sic] early Sentra” – you guys crack me up.
Having said that, this example is WELL beyond too far gone to save…
This car proves the worse a car is, the more comment it gets!
Can’t we all just get along? Freedom of expression means saying what you think with anyone jumping down your throat. Some of you should remember that. ;-)
This generic design does not really excite me, & i thought i might be an old honda, toyota corona, celica or even an old Mazda.
Nice patina
Gullwing motor cars will buy it…