The road to purchasing my dream car
In the early 2000’s the import scene in Melbourne was massive. The roads were full of imported Japanese cars and business for importers was booming. My Dad and brother ran an import car business during this time bringing in low volumes of Japanese performance cars. This is where I got my first imported car, a 1993 Nissan Silvia 2ltr non turbo. I purchased this car from my brother in the late 90’s and boy did this car turn heads. I guess it was because no one had seen a car like this at that time.
Eventually my Silvia was sold to clear up some money for my overseas trip to USA. I was lucky enough to go play college basketball in San Francisco and New York. When I came back home in 2001 after a few months of driving an old Nissan Navara ute I made the decision to look at importing another car.
The search for my dream car begins
I spent months bidding on various cars and not winning the bids; hey, when you are on a budget it can be hard. One particular car I bided on that I really wanted to win was a R33 Skyline GTS-T heavily modified. I was shattered to see that I was out bided by a couple of hundred yen. I started putting in bids for R32 GT-R’s and again I was losing bids by the smallest margins.
Eventually I won a bid on a red 1993 R32 GT-R. When I was informed by my brother that I finally won the bid for a GT-R, I went nuts! I was working at my part time job and I got a text message from my brother informing me of my purchase. I was so happy that I had to take my tea break which dragged out because I was too busy talking to my brother about the details of the car. Ah the memories are rushing in! The moment I purchased my dream car.
After securing the bid I had my car taken to the auction stockyard for photographing and security checking. When the photos were sent to me I was greeted with a massive surprise. The engine bay picture showed two massive Blitz turbos, meaning that this car was fairly modified. Excitement sunk in; I’ve always wanted a modified GT-R and now not only do I own the car of my dreams but it’s modified. Life is good.
Clearing the GTR from customs
Approximately six weeks after I purchased the car in auction it landed at Melbourne docks. I took the day off uni just to pick up the car. When I got to the docks I was told by my dad that my car failed the quarantine check. DAMN IT! When a car gets quarantined it must be taken to a proper quarantine center to have the car cleaned. That’s where my car was going. It was put on the back of a tow truck and taken to get cleaned. After it was cleaned it was taken to my clearing agents factory. All of which I needed to pay for.
When the car was finally cleared my dad drove the car out and I remember seeing it for the first time. Man 32 GTR’s look sexy! The car was extremely dirty but the way it came out of the driveway and the sound of the car made me sooooo happy. I know. I get it. it’s just a Skyline GTR right? Not a million dollar super car, calm down Manoj. But, to me a Skyline GTR is a million dollar super car and the thrill I get driving one and owning such a car makes me super happy. I’m just super passionate about these vehicles.
The car finally got home and it was in my possession. As soon as the car came my brothers and I looked over the whole car. At the time my knowledge of the inner workings of cars wasn’t very good as it is now. So I had no idea identifying aftermarket parts and standard parts. I remember my little brother going through the car listing all the aftermarket parts. We all were stunned but my Dad and brother were concerned. Modified cars are hard to compliance to Australian motor vehicle standards as the car has to be in original condition. Meaning the car has to be standard without modifications. With two massive Blitz high mount turbo’s my car was far from standard.
Getting the GT-R on the road
Getting compliance for the car was a nightmare and I’m going to skim through this as I probably get fired up and go on a rant. Basically all but one workshop refused to compliance my car on the basis that is was too modified. It took me about a month to find a workshop to comply my car which costed me a fortune but the money was worth spent. If I had to source standard parts and install them the bill would have been a lot higher.
Finally the car was registered and on the road. I was finally a GT-R owner and my dream all those years ago as a kid in the Nissan showroom had become reality. Although the car has been off the road for a while I am hoping to have this complete by the end of the year and once again enjoying driving my 32 GT-R.