When it debuted in 2009, the fourth Fast & Furious movie (simply called Fast & Furious) officially set the wheels into motion for the future of the franchise. Reuniting Vin Diesel and Paul Walker for the first time since the 2001 original — establishing what would become the heart and soul of the series until Walker’s untimely death in 2013 — Fast 4 also reconciled the previously contentious characters through a series of drug runs from Mexico by car via an elaborate tunnel system on the border. For his part in the undercover operation, Walker’s Brian O’Connor hand-selects a blue 2000 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, which would become arguably the character’s most recognizable vehicle in the franchise. It’s now up for auction via Bonhams.
Of course, as with any big-budget movie with star cars, several more of these Nissans were built or modified for production — all of which were non-turbo base clones typically with rear-wheel drive for stunts, with one being an R34 shell draped over a dune buggy. The one up for auction, however, is the original that was selected early on in the film and featured in a hero shot with Walker sitting on the hood. While the clones were built for getting beat up and even blown up, this original R34 still remains in its original condition when Walker drove it.
Being a car collector and hardcore enthusiast himself, Walker had a strong voice in how the vehicle was customized. Purchased without an engine by Kaizo Industries from a Japanese owner in 2002, the vehicle then underwent a series of add-ons that include a 2.6L twin-turbo straight-six engine with boost pressure raised to 550hp, a custom roll cage, a bespoke dashboard-mounted PC, and five-point OMP custom racing bucket seats that still rest in Walker’s seating position. The actor even requested to remove the vinyl decorations and stickers on the exterior and that the rear fog light be changed from red to white.
Offered from Bonhams, the Nissan GT-R R34 auction runs until May 5 where the current bid sits at $1,160,000.
