The Work Horse
Let’s face it some of the 90’s cars that rolled out of the Nissan factory have aged perfectly, others are still questionable. Take an R33 Gts-t for example, not many of you will be quick to say they looked or aged as well as similar chassis from that era. On top of that for some reason, Ireland, Australia and the UK just couldn’t get enough of the 33 GTS, we just loved them. We loved putting horrendous wheels and bad body kits and questionable parts in them, pretty much a large portion of R33 GTS’s which exist outside of Japan just don’t do it for people as much as an R32, s13 or an s15, or any of the GTR’s for that matter.
This Skyline is a little different. This car was never intended to look good; it was just sort of thrown together. A random Jun front bumper, some fat wheels that just about fit and a very modest exterior. This car just looks tough, which is so unusual for the GTS R33. It’s tatty, looks well driven and reminds you of that sound stocky friend you have who you always call on for a helping hand, the one who never complains and always gets the job done, the one who is a little rough around the edges too.
Of all the R series Skylines the 33 GTS just had such a modest shape and much less aggressive lines to the GTR, and somehow the owner of this one managed to nail a look that would make you rethink about building a 33. I enjoy the non-intended patina. All the uncool bits suddenly become cool when packaged together like this. The worn S badge looks awesome with a bit of weathering along with the rusted grill.
Many 33’s that have gathered people’s attention over time have always had big kits or something to change the otherwise casual shape of the non GTR model. The huge wheels against the rather simple dark body completely reshape the perception of the GTS. The Jun front bumper just looks awesome on its own with its cracks and stories looks good against the standard body.
Just because the car has that used look doesn’t mean it’s unloved or neglected, the collection of parts on the car show the owner’s true enthusiasm. Inside a set of spotless bright red Bride Ergo II seats compliment the cars dark appearance. Small touches like the red seats and the red S badge, strut brace and wheel studs make you smile. It’s the little things.
The car is a proper mix match of parts, an OMP Corsica wheel with a Nardi horn! You get the sense that none of the stuff was really planned for the car, which is just the case. Most of it was just what was around at the and placed in to get the job done.
Along with the mix matched stuff you can see an array of Japanese goodness like Razo Pedals and shifter, or a Fly off hand brake button, along with a Power FC Commander and a blitz boost gauge.
Like I said the owner bases more emphasis on power than style, under the bonnet is an RB25 with a Trust TD06 attached to it. Other goodies include Nismo 555cc injectors, a GTR inter cooler, Z32 Airflow meter and a HKS twin plate clutch. This skybus can move.
This car had some love back in Japan and its nice the same kind of love here again. Like I said were suckers for the car archaeology on Juicebox so it was nice to see the RSR sticker was still on the back. This RB can spit some serious flames at night through the yes you guessed it RSR EXmag GT II Exhaust.
The back arches are rough as a bears arse to accompany the Lowenhart LD1 wheels which are 18 x 9.5 up front and 18 x 10 .5 at the back, a wheel which was never meant to be drifted and scuffed. I love how the wheels don’t even have centre caps; it makes them look that little better on this car. Somehow it all fits together nicely…
Handling wise the 33 is fitted with BC Coilovers, drift works tension rods up front, Hicas lock out, camber arms and traction arms. Japspeed tie rods and track rod ends, a Kaaz 2 way diff, an Apexi front strut and a Cusco rear strut. From the back you can see just how beefy it is, even without the need for GTR quarter panels, it’s a more humble look.
It’s nice to see a proper looking 33 GTS-T in Ireland or the UK, a rare enough site but it might influence others, it opened our eyes to the almost forgotten chassis. This car is rough and ready, but for the right reasons. Its styling was never purposely done but has worked magically…
This HCR33 is just the right amount of win. The parts don’t sound too appealing on paper, but when you see it in the flesh and observe it in action, the entire car goes up a couple of notches in anyone’s book. The HCR33 has always lived in the shadows of the 33 GTR with its puffed exterior.
This is not trying to be a GTR, that’s the best part. The owner worked with the casual exterior. It’s almost like the Silvia’s sloppy older brother, the big guy. With is more of a “I left myself go, but I still have it” appearance. It should be an eye opener for some.
I’m sure you will agree this is one cool well used R33 GTS-T, one we are glad to share with you.
Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Handling
LowenHart LD1 wheels 18×9.5 back 18×10.5
Apexi front strut brace
Cusco rear strut brace
Kaaz 2 way LSD
BC Coilovers
Driftworks traction arms
Driftworks camber arms
Drift works hicas eliminator
Driftworks tension rods on the front
Japspeed tie rods and track rod ends
Exterior
Jun Aero front Bumper
Standard Lip spoiler
Grey Paint
Hids
Led rear tail lights
Engine
RB25Det
Trust TD06
Trust 44mm Waste Gate
Nismo 555cc Injectors
Z32 Air flor Meter
GTR Intercooler
HKS Triple Plate Clutch
Power FC and Commander
AVCR Boost Controller
RSR EXmag GT II Exhaust
Apexi Airnix air filter
Interior
Blitz Boost Gauge
Bride Ergo II seats
Momo Corsica Wheel
Cusco Fly off Button
Razo Gear Knob
Razo Pedals