Lot 205: 1998 Nissan Skyline GTR Ex-Johnny Herbert

It is one of the more likable tendencies of huge monolithic car companies to step completely out of character and suddenly produce just one startling jewel of a performance car, perhaps the most remarkable example being the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Introduced initially solely for the home market, word soon spread on the international scene that something very special had appeared and swiftly the details became apparent. With twin ceramic turbochargers fitted to a 2.6 litre six cylinder engine, the output was said to be over 300bhp, formidable enough, but the engine also sits in a chassis of staggering competence. Permanent four wheel drive (a gauge on the dashboard reveals the proportion of torque being delivered between front and rear) is allied to racing standard brakes and a chassis of truly impressive rigidity that endows the car with performance levels to embarrass very nearly any offering from Modena or Stuttgart. It comes as no surprise that these Skylines attract a cult following in their home market of Japan. Originally owned by motor racing legend Johnny Herbert, this wolf in Japanese wolf's clothes has been extensively modified by Abbey Motorsport, one of the foremost Skyline tuning specialists in Great Britain, which has also maintained the car. While the body remained untouched, the engine now produces approximately 550bhp, probably enough to get even Johnny Herbert's blood racing! Adequate stopping is provided by AP racing brakes. This quite remarkable car, complete with personalised registration plate, is described by the vendor as being in good to excellent condition throughout and is offered with a MoT test certificate valid until August 2008, receipts for work carried out on the car, all previous MoT test certificates, owner's manual, security certificates and sound system manual. This must be the ultimate giant killer.