Kpgc10 Gtr - Understanding The Market

[rtune]

Well my dream is to get hold of a unmolested original KPGC10 gtr. I just like the shape more than the uber rare ken & mary variation.

From what I see there are a couple of ways of doing this. One is to buy from a vintage dealer in Japan, and there are sites like goo-net that appear to list stock from famous dealers. The other way is to pay for a feed from the auction system and watch for one. The third way I suppose is fly over there and look at examples in person!

questions..

I suspect getting a car from anywhere else, including local, is out of the question or I would have to wait a year for a good one to maybe be available?

Is anyone else following the market? It seems the dealers who specialize in top examples are asking anywhere from 8m to 10m yen. Does going through the auction system save 20% at the risk of buying a p.i.g (this site edited it to "cop!") in a poke? or can you find a broker who is paid to inspect the cars in person before bidding and might nullify any disadvantage?

Last question, I guess importation is easier than it was for my gtr! No compliance hassles for one, but you're paying 10%+10%+fees on the price. And then if the car is here, is there anyone experienced enough to work on it (if it needs work)? god knows I've had enough hassles with the r34 I wonder if a '71 car might be even more troublesome to maintain outside Japan.

Am I about right in this budget: a 9m yen kpgc10 might snowball to 135k to get it into your garage?

Edited November 19, 2009 by moneypit

[V8skylineMAN]

I dont know about the rest of your questions, but they are simple to work on, the only skilled part would be tuning the multiple carbs, but anyone specialising in the older rally cars can do it. or even motorbike mechanics as most older( and some new) bike had multiple carbs.

cheers

Jason

[coupe72001]

Pretty sure that the Japanese Nostalgic Car magazine issue one features an article about bringing a C10 from Japan to Australia. I lent the mag to a mate and his 1 year old stuffed the it down their composting toilet - but from memory the car was advertised as being mint in Japan, but the wiring turned out to be rubbish, and there were plenty of other gremlins as well - so they decided to launch into a full on resto... can't remember much else, but you can buy the mag online and have a read for yourself.

[blk180]

This is not a GTR but gives you a good understanding of what some jap shops call restored

http://www.performanceforums.com/forums/sh....php?t=67227917

you will have to be a member to read the whole amount of work thats been done worth tho very nice car.

Good luck brad.

[NISMO]

You may have to join to view it, but check this thread out.

http://forum.jdmstyletuning.com/showthread.php?t=7768

Babs is a member of JDMST and has a VERY VERY detailed build thread of hsi Hako. Its now a stunning car and he's always adding new bits. On top of this there are heaps of pics on meet ups with other owners in Aus (syd) so he should be able to answer most questions.

Cheers

[NISMO]

This is not a GTR but gives you a good understanding of what some jap shops call restored

http://www.performanceforums.com/forums/sh....php?t=67227917

you will have to be a member to read the whole amount of work thats been done worth tho very nice car.

Good luck brad.

Haha - beat me by a minute!

[R34]

WOW, hope you do it mate

I have a contact in Japan I can forward on if you're serious.

Having done the classic Skyline thing with my DR30 can't help thinking that for 8-10mill could get a matching set of 32,33 and 34 GTR's for less money

[works 510]

hmmm "japanese restoring"

Ive see a few old cars, not exactly too crash hot.

I compare it to with my old man calls "the mexican restoration" that gets done on a few classic muscle cars haha

Rocky Auto cars, you would assume for the price tag that they would be outstanding..

Any reputable datsun mechanic will be able to do any work on it, stew wilkins, baz at datsport etc.

As for looking one, If I was looking on spending up for a real GTR, I'd do alot of research on common rust spots, and other flaws, get in contact with some aussie owners for a chat (I think there was a c10 meet-up in sydney recently?)

Get some sort of broker or contact in japan to help with price haggling, fly over, inspect some cars

[rtune]

You may have to join to view it, but check this thread out.

http://forum.jdmstyletuning.com/showthread.php?t=7768

Babs is a member of JDMST and has a VERY VERY detailed build thread of hsi Hako. Its now a stunning car and he's always adding new bits. On top of this there are heaps of pics on meet ups with other owners in Aus (syd) so he should be able to answer most questions.

Cheers

yeah I remember looking at that, and I've looked at it again today. I'm not sure but that doesn't look like it was a top example

when purchased in Japan. I'll send him a PM and see what he can tell me.

Edited November 20, 2009 by moneypit

[rtune]

I got some helpful feedback from Kevin who is doing that replica restoration. He pointed out the uber-mint end of this market is advertising at 15m yen! yikes! there is way too much money sloshing around in this world..