Nissan GT-R (R35) | PH Auction Block

So time is finally being called on the Nissan GT-R. Even with European sales having halted a while back, and the R35 having been around for as long as it was, it just felt like one of those cars that might soldier on in its homeland for ages yet. Almost like the last of the US muscle cars, the Challengers and Camaros and Vipers, the Nissan never quite seemed done. But time waits for no man (or machine), and the last few R35s are in production. Imagine getting hold of the last one. 

Because without a GT-R, Nissan is missing a performance flagship in the range – and its most famous badge. It’s a big deal. This has happened before, of course, with a few years passing between R34 and R35, though it would also be fair to say Nissan was in better shape 20-odd years ago. Back then another GT-R seemed likely, because Nissan embarked on more interesting projects; now, not so much. 

So instead of worrying too much about the future, let’s instead consider the welcome embrace of the past. With the GT-R on sale for as long as it was, the PH classifieds always boast a good few, with nearly every budget catered for: from less than £40k to five times that for a late NISMO. All tastes are covered off as well, from stock (or close enough) to the full Liberty Walk. 

This one is the first GT-R to fall under the PH auction hammer (after nearly 300 cars sold), and looks a beauty. It’s one of the first facelifted cars, which was actually a reasonably significant refresh for the 2011 model year: as well as a power bump to 530hp (with changes to both intake and exhaust), new dampers were fitted, as was some additional bracing, and the interior was spruced up. 

That’s all still intact for this example, too, with only a couple of cosmetic tweaks from stock (there’s a spare standard grille even). The perfect blank canvas for somebody to live out their GT-R dreams, then, or one to preserve for posterity. It’s turned out really nicely, in fact, for a car now 14 years and 50,000 miles old. 

There’s recent work from specialists like Litchfield in the history, and an MOT that runs into 2026. It’ll probably benefit from some fresh fluids for 2025, but with recent new tyres and front brakes (not small jobs on a car this powerful and heavy) it should be on the button and ready to roll. Which a GT-R will do in a fashion like nothing else, which is why it’ll be so sorely missed. But what an opportunity to remember one of Japan’s greatest hits.