No Way I Stay Stock!

When I started my new column, I knew that I would meet weird persons, car nuts and much more than eccentric collectors, but I never imagined that I would find so many right people, being able to collect material for at least the entire 2016 , in only 2 weeks. Exactly the same day that I have prepared my work plan, I had an appointment with Mr. X, a former fellow student, who just knew that I was interested in his JDM, and wasting no time he was in front of my house for a chat I will never forget.

I remember well that his dream has always been to own a Japanese car, with that exotic charm and the much greater rarity than the classic European supercars, that here in Dubai, certainly not lack. And of course he got that 4 years ago or so, buying a beautiful Skyline R33, almost completely stock. Since that day, his mission has been to make it unique, as he always wanted and planned. Today he tells me that there is nothing original left, not even a bolt of those that Nissan has put during the production process: the mods, however, aren’t invasive and not too visible and you have to be a good observer, in fact, much of the work took place under the body, starting from a new limited slip differential, the installation of the Super HICAS (4-wheel steering, optional only on some models) and a 6-cylinder turned inside out and capable of delivering about 560 / 580hp on the rear wheels. Inside, the cabin has been reduced to the bone – “When I drive the R33, I want to feel like I’m on track, I do not care about comfort. For that I have other cars.” Hand-brake with hydraulic lever, bucket seats and no stereo, not even air conditioning: btw the car was painted white (it was green), to absorb less heat from the sun.

He keeps talking without even taking a breath and tells me how he learned drifting with it, reaching the car’s limits and the top of his skills between the curbs. In short, this Skyline is much more than a simple JDM with a power/weight ratio able to tear your guts. It represents the project of a child that finally materialized his dreams. Pursue your ones, because once realized, life is more beautiful.

Words by Al Kazhafa