Which generation of GTR is the most classic
2 Answers
The 8th generation R32 model was released in 1989. The design style continued the rectangular headlights and four circular taillights of the HR31, and it was the first to introduce the rare frameless door design. The highly acclaimed GT-R version was equipped with the RB26DETT, a six-cylinder twin-turbo engine, producing 280 horsepower as per Japanese regulations, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.6 seconds, and featuring a torque-split electronic four-wheel-drive chassis. This model is the most classic GTR, causing near frenzy upon its market release, and the anime "Initial D" further boosted its fame. In the 1990 Macau Grand Prix's Guia Race, a long-standing event following Group A regulations, which was traditionally dominated by European cars like BMW and Ford, a special competitor emerged—the R32 GTR driven by veteran Japanese driver Masahiro Hasegawa... In the qualifying round, it set a lap time of 2 minutes 32.71 seconds, securing pole position, nearly 4 seconds faster than the second-place BMW M3. Within less than 3 laps of the actual race, it had already pulled ahead of the second-place car by 6 seconds. After 30 laps, it crossed the finish line first, a full 28 seconds ahead of the runner-up—equivalent to one-fifth of the track distance. In 1991, the R32 GTR also won the Belgian Spa 24 Hours endurance race, finishing 2 laps ahead of the second-place Porsche. That same year, it also claimed the overall championships in the Japanese JGTC and the Australian Touring Car Championship. Thus, the name "Godzilla" for the GTR was born.
Honestly, I think the R34 generation of the GTR is the most classic. Think about it—it was born in the late '90s, an era without all the high-tech gadgets we have today, yet its design was still super cool, especially the GT-R’s iconic taillights, instantly recognizable. The driving experience is even more incredible—the sound of the twin-turbo engine is exhilarating, and the power delivery is both smooth and fierce. I’ve driven a friend’s car a few times, and the handling is truly unforgettable; the chassis is tuned just right, making it feel like flying low to the ground. What’s more, its appearance in *The Fast and the Furious*, with Paul Walker behind the wheel, made it a global sensation and a nostalgic memory for many. Nowadays, used ones are ridiculously expensive—it’s held its value incredibly well. Its charm lies in its purity—unlike modern cars loaded with electronic assists, the R34 is all about raw mechanical fun, always turning heads on the street. If you want to relive the golden era of classic sports cars, the R34 is an absolute benchmark, representing the pinnacle of its time.
