An Underrated Nissan Sports Car Is About to Become a Certified Grail

Who knew the most overlooked generation of Skyline could fetch seven figures.

Close-up of white Nissan Skyline 400R rear with round red taillights and emblem badge.

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Published February 20, 2026

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Updated February 20, 2026

It’s hard to believe that cars like the Nissan Skyline from the 1990s are old enough to be collectors. Once left to the fantasies of racing videogame fans and sports car enthusiasts alike, the later generations leading up to the GT-R spinoff all now reached the age of eligible importation in the US (25 years or older).

That’s because Nissan never sold any prior Skyline models in the States. But while many typically gravitate towards the R34 and the older R32, the R33 often goes unnoticed.

However, the days of the R33 being ignored might be coming to an end. An extremely rare and limited-edition variant is about to hit Broad Arrow Auctions. And it’s expected to fetch anywhere between $900,000 to $1.1 million.

Could this be the time when the most underrated modern Skylines gains notoriety?

One of the rarest Skylines of all time

White Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 with black side stripe and rear spoiler on asphalt with tire skid marks. — Could the auction sale of this extremely rare and distinguished Skyline put the R33 back into the spotlight?

The R33 Skyline in question is an extremely rare Nismo 400R, an ultra-high-performance version of the already high-performing GT-R trim. While the GT-R existed as one of the model’s signature variants, Nissan produced even more extreme versions.

Above the R33 GT-R sat the rear-wheel-drive GT-R LM, or basically the Porsche 911 GT3 equivalent. It was a stripped-down, lightweight version, compared to the more grand-touring-like all-wheel-drive standard GT-R.

Close-up of a white car's fender with a NISMO badge and a silver multi-spoke alloy wheel. — The Skyline is one of the biggest reasons why Nismo became as popular globally as it is today.

Then, there’s the R33 GT-R Nismo 400R, or essentially the Porsche 911 GT2 equivalent. Nissan built it as a more powerful version of the GT-R. But, without the weight-saving measures, as a statement in straightline performance.

What makes the Nismo 400R all the rarer is its engine. It doesn’t use the standard “RB26DETT” twin-turbo inline-six used by other GT-R models. Instead, it features a road-adapted version of the same engine used in Nissan’s Le Mans racecars at the time, the “RBX-GT2.“

Engine bay of a white Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 with RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-six engine and polished strut bar. — The R33 Nismo 400R is unique in that it doesn’t feature the Skyline GT-R’s RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-six, but the Le Mans-competing RBX-GT2.

Whereas the standard GT-R produces 276 horsepower and 277 pound-feet, and the GT-R LM made 301 horses, the Nismo 400R churned out a whopping 395 hp and 353 lb-ft.

Nissan intended to make just 100 examples. However, only 44 were made, which makes the R33 Skyline GT-R Nismo 400R one of the most distinguished versions of all time.

Black leather Nismo 400R steering wheel in a right-hand drive car interior with manual gear shift and additional gauges. — The R33 Skyline GT-R Nismo 400R is often referred to as “The Godzilla of Godzillas.”

And someone was compelled to import one of those 44 to the States. Production model number eight, to be specific.

The bastard child of the Skylines

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While the R32 still doesn’t get as much love as the R34, Americans still appreciate the car because it was the first modern Skylines that could be imported to the States. The R34 got the most spotlight because of its fame in video games like Gran Turismo, Tokyo Xtreme Racer and Need for Speed: Underground.

Many perceived the R33 Skyline as the bastard child. The reasons for its shoddy reputation are debatable and even hotly contested today.

Yellow toggle switch set to ON on a black panel with NISMO gear pattern decal. — With its motorsports-derived engine, the Nismo 400R requires motorsports-level gear.

But most largely agree that the R33 paled in comparison to its predecessors because it grew in size, was significantly heavier, and had mundane looks.

That’s because many argue that it wasn’t much of an improvement over the R32. The R34 that came after is just a much better and faster car, thanks to its more modern technology and overall performance advancements.

White Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 coupe with aftermarket wheels and rear spoiler on a racetrack. — It’s about time the R33 gets the recognition it’s always deserved.

Whether these points really make the R33 the inferior car that fans perceive it to be is subjective. But with the Nismo 400R getting the recognition of potentially becoming a seven-figure collector in the States, this could all change for the better.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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