Fast & Furious: Paul Walker with Nissan Skyline

NOT MY PHOTOGRAPH - Promotional still from Universal Studios

 

PAUL WALKER as agent Brian O'Conner leans against his 1998 Nissan Skyline GTR in the newest movie of The Fast and The Furious franchise.

 

 

Fast R34 for the Furious, By John Pearley Huffman

 

When it comes to alpha dogs, they don't come more alpha-ier than Nissan's justly legendary Skyline GT-R. And though the new "R35" GT-R may have eclipsed the old R34 in performance, there's something still iconic about how the old R34 looks. Plus it didn't hurt that Paul Walker had driven an R34 in 2 Fast 2 Furious, so it was easy to bring it back.

 

But that didn't mean there was a large supply of R34s that picture car coordinator Dennis McCarthy could just pull out of some warehouse. And in order to save some hassle, what they really wanted wasn't all-wheel-drive GT-Rs at all.

 

Instead the production sought out and bought appropriate vintage (1998-2002) Skyline GT-S models, which used the same basic body shell as the GT-R, but are rear-wheel drive and normally aspirated. Not only was it cheaper than buying GT-Rs, but it also saved the mechanics the hassle of disconnecting the front driveshafts so stunt drivers could drift the cars effectively and do a big standing burnout before the big street race.

 

Of course the cars were dressed up to look like turbocharged GT-Rs, but in reality, they remained without turbochargers and all-wheel drive.

 

The production bought a total of six Skylines to portray FBI agent Brian O'Connor's most significant ride. And it built a fiberglass replica shell of the R34 that was mounted to a dune buggy chassis for some off-road scenes. Of six real Skylines, three were sold as parts cars, two were destroyed and one was saved for any potential sequels. And of course there are going to be sequels.

 

As Portrayed Specifications*

 

Engine

Type: RB26 2.6-liter DOHC inline-6

Injection: Duttweiler Performance

Ignition: MSD

Intercooler: Spearco

Turbo: Turbonetics

Fuel: Sunoco Racing Fuel

Lubricant: Castrol

 

Drivetrain

Transmission: Nissan original equipment

Clutch: Nissan original equipment

Shifter: Veilside

Driveshaft: Nissan original equipment

Headers: Nissan original equipment

Mufflers: Nissan original equipment

Tubes: Cobb

Fuel pump: Nissan original equipment

Hoses: Nissan original equipment

 

Suspension

Springs: Kaizo Industries

Shocks: Kaizo Industries

 

Wheels

Type: Rays Volk RE30

Front size: 19-by-11.0 inches

Rear size: 19-by-11.0 inches

 

Tires

Manufacturer/Model: Continental Sport Contact 2

Front: 285/35R19

Rear: 285/35R19

 

Interior

Seats: OMP

Belts: OMP

Cage: Matt Sweeney

Door panels: Nissan original equipment

Wheel: Momo

Gauges: Magden

 

Exterior

Body Kit: C-West

Hood: C-West

 

Paint/Graphics

Paint: Jack's Auto Body

 

* "As Portrayed" specifications indicate the state of the car as portrayed in the film. No single car was necessarily built to these specifications by the picture car department. But all the cars built to portray a vehicle in the film were constructed to appear as if so equipped.

 

www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=144086

 

 

Highest position in Explore: #431 on Friday October 17, 2009. Thank you to everyone who viewed, favorited, and commented.

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