In the world of Skylines, the Kenmeri GT-R is one of the rarest and most sought after versions of Japan’s famous sports car. It was destined for greatness but could never prove itself as harsh emission laws prevented Nissan from making any more than 197 – thus rendering the car ineligible for touring car racing. This second-gen fastback edition was an evolution from the notchback design which had dominated the Japanese touring car scene. Due to the model’s rarity, getting a hold of a real one is both difficult and highly expensive, so the next best thing is to make one yourself. The car featured in this blog may be a “tribute” Kenmeri but it still looks totally legitimate and more than deserving of it’s spot at Motor Ex.
The thing that made the original GT-R soo special was it’s 2.0 litre inline 6 engine. For the time, it was a formidable unit that provided ruthless performance. Using racing DNA from the R380 sports car, the engine was a cut above the competition, and the revolutionary chassis dynamics first put to the test in the smaller Bluebird shocked everyone. Independent rear suspension in a sedan? What madness! Nissan had brought a gun to a knife fight and soon enough, the 2 door Skyline GT-R became Japan’s first racing idol. This car has a bigger 2.8 litre engine from the 280Z, which isn’t quite as advanced as the 2 litre unit but it produces a solid 233 HP – 60 HP more than the actual Kenmeris.
Now, the purpose of brake lights is to indicate to the driver behind you that you are in fact pushing down the brake pedal. It’s a legal requirement and has been for a very long time so you may be asking, what’s the big deal? Why should I care? Well in some cases, they end up becoming a part of a car’s identity and this is very much true with the Kenmeri. The rear tailight arrangement was modernised for the R34 Skyline and then taken onto the R35 GT-R, ensuring that the spirit of the Kenmeri always remains. It’s soo symbolic that it’s appeared on numerous concepts and special editions of the GT-R – including the failed LMP1 prototype.
Absolutely nothing on this car has been overlooked or ignored. Each component has either been rebuilt, restored or re-fitted because if you get it wrong, people will mock you mercilessly and say all matter of nasty things. Ok maybe not but details are constantly scrutinised when you’re trying to pay tribute to a highly revered car. Pulling off the desired look can sometimes be difficult but I’m proud to say that the whole appearance is period correct and exactly the sort of treatment this car deserves. The Watanabe RS wheels are perfectly sized, the flared bolt-on arches are mounted properly and the little ducktail spoiler sits proudly on the sloping fastbach rear hatch. The ride height isn’t stupidly low, the front splitter is the correct size, the exhaust pipes aren’t shaped like fart cans and the colour is impossible to resist.
The famous Kenmeri GT-R made an undeniable mark on Japanese automotive culture. It’s only natural to want a slice of the pie without having to shell out a small fortune, and this tribute very much proves that if you put in the effort, you can make your rising sun dreams come true. Even in a hall filled with heavily built street machines, this car still holds it own as a monument to Nissan’s design and ingenuity. I would not change a thing on this magnificent car because it’s the perfect embodiment of the Japanese spirit. No wonder the Skyline is returning.
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