Fast & Furious: Paul Walker with Nissan Skyline

NOT MY PHOTOGRAPH - Promotional still from Universal Studios

PAUL WALKER as agent Brian O'Conner leans against his 1998 Nissan Skyline GTR in the newest movie of The Fast and The Furious franchise.

Fast R34 for the Furious, By John Pearley Huffman

When it comes to alpha dogs, they don't come more alpha-ier than Nissan's justly legendary Skyline GT-R. And though the new "R35" GT-R may have eclipsed the old R34 in performance, there's something still iconic about how the old R34 looks. Plus it didn't hurt that Paul Walker had driven an R34 in 2 Fast 2 Furious, so it was easy to bring it back.

But that didn't mean there was a large supply of R34s that picture car coordinator Dennis McCarthy could just pull out of some warehouse. And in order to save some hassle, what they really wanted wasn't all-wheel-drive GT-Rs at all.

Instead the production sought out and bought appropriate vintage (1998-2002) Skyline GT-S models, which used the same basic body shell as the GT-R, but are rear-wheel drive and normally aspirated. Not only was it cheaper than buying GT-Rs, but it also saved the mechanics the hassle of disconnecting the front driveshafts so stunt drivers could drift the cars effectively and do a big standing burnout before the big street race.

Of course the cars were dressed up to look like turbocharged GT-Rs, but in reality, they remained without turbochargers and all-wheel drive.

The production bought a total of six Skylines to portray FBI agent Brian O'Connor's most significant ride. And it built a fiberglass replica shell of the R34 that was mounted to a dune buggy chassis for some off-road scenes. Of six real Skylines, three were sold as parts cars, two were destroyed and one was saved for any potential sequels. And of course there are going to be sequels.

As Portrayed Specifications*

Engine
Type: RB26 2.6-liter DOHC inline-6
Injection: Duttweiler Performance
Ignition: MSD
Intercooler: Spearco
Turbo: Turbonetics
Fuel: Sunoco Racing Fuel
Lubricant: Castrol

Drivetrain
Transmission: Nissan original equipment
Clutch: Nissan original equipment
Shifter: Veilside
Driveshaft: Nissan original equipment
Headers: Nissan original equipment
Mufflers: Nissan original equipment
Tubes: Cobb
Fuel pump: Nissan original equipment
Hoses: Nissan original equipment

Suspension
Springs: Kaizo Industries
Shocks: Kaizo Industries

Wheels
Type: Rays Volk RE30
Front size: 19-by-11.0 inches
Rear size: 19-by-11.0 inches

Tires
Manufacturer/Model: Continental Sport Contact 2
Front: 285/35R19
Rear: 285/35R19

Interior
Seats: OMP
Belts: OMP
Cage: Matt Sweeney
Door panels: Nissan original equipment
Wheel: Momo
Gauges: Magden

Exterior
Body Kit: C-West
Hood: C-West

Paint/Graphics
Paint: Jack's Auto Body

* "As Portrayed" specifications indicate the state of the car as portrayed in the film. No single car was necessarily built to these specifications by the picture car department. But all the cars built to portray a vehicle in the film were constructed to appear as if so equipped.

www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=144086

Highest position in Explore: #431 on Friday October 17, 2009. Thank you to everyone who viewed, favorited, and commented.

Taken on: April 18, 2008

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