In today’s difficult economic climate, perhaps it’s best to downsize your garage. So why not mix a JDM and a muscle car into one? We are, of course, kidding, but this R32 Nissan Skyline Coupe that’s been dressed up as a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is not.
Now, before you frown too hard, consider there are famous Japanese tuning kits out there that gift modern classic sports cars from the country with a retro US muscle look. We’re talking about Tra Kyoto’s Pandem Boss kits for the FD Mazda RX-7 and the S14 Nissan Silvia.
Of course, those aero packages have their own style, while this R32 Skyline coupe simply cosplays as a fifth-gen Camaro. But you never knowโฆ perhaps pushing the Transformers logo on the nicely redone dashboard (hi there, JDM Bumblebee!) will turn this machine back into a stock-looking R32.
Whoever did the conversionโthis appears to be a one-off rather than a kitโseems to have invested quite a few resources into the build. And while the front end and the massive widebody needed to bring the 1993 Nissan (the final R32 year) to the width of the 2009-2015 Camaro seem to fit quite well, the panel gaps for the posterior are more noticeable.
A quick-release hood and side exhausts, along with custom wheels, complete the eye-catching nature of this unusual project.
The tech side of the Gen V Camaro-impersonating R32 Nissan Skyline Coupe
The R32 is the first of the modern, AWD GT-Rs, but this car is not a Godzilla. So it packs an RWD setup, but it doesn’t slack in the motivation department.
While the GT-R is animated by a turbocharged 2.6-liter straight-six in factory form (RD26DET), this Nissan had to source its turbo from the aftermarket. Nevertheless, the coupe’s 2.5L RB25 was gifted with an Apexi 53B70 turbo and the mandatory supporting mods. As such, the unit now delivers a meaty 400 hp.
The unit is mated to a five-speed manual and sends the power to the rear wheels via a two-way LSDโfully active during both acceleration and deceleration, this is an ideal setup for drifting. And, given the Bride bucket seat on the driver’s side and the roll cage, it looks like this contraption has been prepared for some sideways shenanigans.
And while most enthusiasts will undoubtedly steer clear of this unholy marriage, it may just grab an eccentric aficionado’s attention. Note that the car is for sale over in Japan and we came across it on the Stacked Exports Instagram page, as you’ll notice below. For the record, all R32s, R33s, and R34s were produced exclusively in right-hand drive form, even though there are companies that convert these to left-hand drive.
With the odometer showing 76,490 miles or 122,600 km, the Sky-Maro (we had to try) is listed at 3.8 million yen (about $27,250 at the current exchange rates), but this probably doesn’t cover the importation cost. Speaking of which, as dictated by the 25-year rule, you can legally bring any R32 into the US.