The Nissan GT-R is a true legend. Within the Japanese manufacturer’s lineup, it occupies a unique position. Introduced in 2007, the “R35” is the successor to the Nissan Skyline GT-R and serves as the brand’s flagship sports car amidst a relatively restrained range. Its distinctiveness and character make it especially endearing.

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From Racing Debut to the Creation of the GT3

Blending the image of a grand tourer and a sports car, the GT-R was first used in competition in the Super GT series (from 2008), replacing the Fairlady 350Z GT500. With the emergence of the GT1 category, Nissan decided to develop a new variant of the car. Its development began in Europe in 2009, in collaboration with Gigawave MotorSport, and the car made its official debut in the FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010.
Unfortunately, Nissan faced the rapid rise and subsequent decline of the series, as many manufacturers who had announced their participation ultimately did not compete. Against well-developed and highly competitive rivals such as the Aston Martin DBR9 and Maserati MC12, Nissan struggled during the inaugural 2010 season. It must be said that the production Nissan GT-R, with its all-wheel drive system, may not have been the ideal base for a GT1 car.
This led Nissan’s management to consider developing a GT3 version for 2012, at a time when the category was experiencing significant growth.

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GT3: The Perfect Category for the Nissan GT-R

The new car—based on the work done for the GT1 and still developed with the support of JR Motorsports—featured specific aerodynamics in compliance with GT3 regulations, a rear-wheel-drive layout, and a twin-turbo V6 engine (unlike the GT1, which used a V8).
The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6, derived from the production engine, delivers 530 horsepower at 6,400 rpm in the GT-R GT3. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox operated by paddle shifters.
The GT-R GT3’s testing program began at Fuji Speedway in late January 2011, before continuing in Europe, including a session in Aragon, Spain, in July. The car was officially unveiled in mid-January 2012, revealing its technical specifications and Nismo’s intended use:  
“Designed with a customer-oriented approach, ease of driving was a key element in the development of this new car. In addition to its reassuring chassis, the suspension settings and controls can be easily adjusted to suit each driver’s preferences.”

From the outset, Nissan targeted gentleman drivers and envisioned the GT-R as a car that should be easily accessible to all. This demonstrated a genuine desire for democratization from the manufacturer, which was the first Japanese brand to offer a GT3. Another sign of Nissan’s commitment was the regular availability of upgrade kits to keep the cars competitive. This contributed to the success of the Nissan GT-R, whose career has spanned more than 10 years.
It is worth noting that Nissan updated its GT3 as early as 2013, increasing the car’s width from 1,998 mm in the 2012 version to 2,036 mm. The engine was optimized with a new camshaft timing, and the engine’s moving parts were reinforced. Several aerodynamic modifications were also introduced, including enlarged louvres on the front fenders and a slight repositioning of the rear wing.

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Nissan GT-Rs Conquering the World

Launched at a price of €300,000 (in line with most other GT3 cars), the GT-R made its official debut at the 24 Hours of Dubai in January 2012, with Michael Krumm, Alex Buncombe, Tom Kimber-Smith, and Franck Mailleux. The very first race (a non-championship entry) before Dubai took place at Magny-Cours in the Blancpain Endurance Series, where the car finished 6th in the Pro category and set the fastest lap.

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During the 2012 season, the GT-Rs achieved excellent results

In Super GT, in the GT300 category, a car was entered by NDDP RACING (Nismo) with Katsumasa Chiyo, Yuhi Sekiguchi, and Daiki Sasaki, claiming victory at the Sugo round.  
A chassis was also present in Super Taikyu. In Europe, the Nissan GT-R began its career with JMH Automotive and RJN in the British GT Championship. The RJN-entered car was driven by Jann Mardenborough and Alex Buncombe, who finished 5th and 11th at Oulton Park, 3rd and 5th at the Nürburgring, 5th at Rockingham, and went on to win at Brands Hatch. Their end of season was more challenging, but they still secured a podium at Snetterton, finishing 6th overall in the Drivers’ standings.
In the following seasons, Nissan GT-R entries multiplied worldwide. In the Blancpain Endurance Series, the car claimed its first victory in the second round at Silverstone with Lucas Ordóñez, Peter Pyzera, and Alex Buncombe. That same year, a GT-R also achieved a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in the Pro-Am category (7th overall) with Lucas Ordóñez, Jann Mardenborough, Peter Pyzera, and Wolfgang Reip.
The Nissan gt3 have since been seen in GT World Challenge Europe, Asia, America, Australia, and in the ADAC GT Masters (from 2015). In endurance events, the GT-R has competed in the 12 Hours of Bathurst (from 2014), including an overall victory in 2015 for Katsumasa Chiyo, Wolfgang Reip, and Florian Strauss.

 

The Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 Offered for Sale

This is a well-prepared and maintained car, originally delivered in 2013. Following an accident, it received a new chassis and was upgraded to 2014 specifications by NISMO. The car was purchased in Japan in 2017 and has since been located in New Zealand, where it has seen very limited use. It has participated in several 3-hour races in the New Zealand Endurance Championship. The Nissan GT3 is offered for sale with an attractive package of spare parts.