Built By Legends Turns Classic Nissan Skyline GT R Into A Carbon Fiber Godzilla

The Nissan Skyline GT-R is a modern automotive icon. While the name debuted in 1969, the three generations running from the late 1980s to the early 2000s cemented the car's performance legacy. Enthusiasts often identify these iterations by their internal designations: the R32, R33, and R34. The R32 acquired the Godzilla nickname after its utter dominance on race tracks in Australia, and its reputation stuck. These iterations of the GT-R were never available as new in the United States, but a generation of enthusiasts grew up hooked on the virtual versions of these machines in video games like Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport.

While the Skyline GT-R continues to offer a sensational driving experience today, even the newest examples are over 20 years old-the R32 models are over 30. There's room for improvement on these older models by incorporating modern technology, and the company Built By Legends is there to turn these classic sport coupes into modern restomods.

Masaharu Kuji and Katsu Takahashi started Built By Legends in 2018, but they've been in the automotive world for quite a while. They brought the Best Motoring and Hot Version video series to the United States in the early 2000s, and those clips had a role in popularizing drifting in the U.S. They were also involved in founding the car video site GT Channel.

Eventually, they decided to build their own cars. "We wanted to make something that's tangible that you can put your hands on," Kuji told Hagerty. "And also in terms of the GT-R, we knew a lot of the GT-Rs are being exported. At the same time, a lot of the cars were abused, so we really wanted to reintroduce the car how it should be."

While many restomod builders pride themselves on doing as much work as possible in-house, Built By Legends relies on its partnerships with Japan's automotive experts. Their GT-Rs receive an engine from the famed tuner Mine's. Garage Yoshida handles the body and chassis work. Taenaka Pile Fabrics, the company that makes the seat covers for the Shinkansen bullet train, supplies the upholstery.

"The car is rebuilt by the legends in Japan, and it's very simple, but that's very difficult to do," Takahashi said.

Commissioning a Built By Legends GT-R restomod is pricey. The R32 GT-R starts at around $380,000. The R33 begins at about $435,000, and the R34 conversion costs roughly $490,000. Plus, buyers have to supply a donor vehicle for the updates. According to Hagerty, an R32 in #3 (good) condition is currently worth $47,000, while similar-condition R33s are worth $52,800, and R34s come in at $155,000.

That's a Prince-ly sum (Nissan fans will get that joke), but it does provide buyers with the ultimate Skyline GT-R. Starting with the engine and depending on the upgrades a customer wants, the Mine's-tuned RB26DETT twin-turbocharged inline-six ranges from around 500 horsepower up to 650 hp.

From there, the updated bodies receive carbon-fiber components for the front bumper, hood, mirrors, doors, trunk, and rear wing. A carbon trunk lid and side skirts are currently under development, and the company is already test-fitting these pieces on its Skylines. Additional revisions include Öhlins suspension dampers and Brembo brake calipers.

Built By Legends focuses on creating vehicles that are actually usable on the road rather than prioritizing outright performance. "Mine's is capable of building powerful engines, but that's not what they do," Kuji said. "It's all about balance for them. They don't want to make the most powerful car."

The company's first Skyline GT-R build was an impressive R32 model. At first glance, the body appears stock, except for a NACA duct on the hood. However, the hood, one-piece front bumper, and rear spoiler are carbon fiber. The car weighs 2,991 pounds, 268 pounds lighter than stock. The exterior wears the custom color Shiranami White Pearl Metallic with a subtle blue tint. It's not a particularly flashy shade and doesn't advertise this Skyline's performance capabilities.

Mine's increased the displacement of the original 2.6-liter inline-six engine to 2.8 liters. The modifications installed a new engine control unit, a titanium exhaust, and much more. The result is a powerplant making roughly 500 horsepower. The output runs through a five-speed manual gearbox.

The company followed the R32 by building a similarly remarkable R33 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R. This one features a white body with green accents on the front bumper and rear wing. Mine's branding is all over the car, including its logo on the doors. The tuned engine pumps out around 650 horsepower and routes through a six-speed manual gearbox. The vehicle is currently for sale for $535,000.

Built By Legends doesn't just do Skylines; it's also dabbling in Honda Civics. An EG6 hatchback model from the 1990s is currently in development with the tuner Spoon as a partner. The car has a carbon-fiber-reinforced floor and a custom titanium exhaust. Extensive modifications allow the engine to sit 1.575 inches lower than stock to reduce the vehicle's center of gravity. "As a daily, it would be a perfect car in Japan because of its size, and it's such a fun car to drive around," Kuji said.

So far, the company has completed four GT-Rs. It's now working on five more of them and finishing the EG6 CIvic. Most inquiries are from buyers in the United States. Plus, there's an EK9 Civic Type R in the early stages of development. Right now, the car is completely apart, but Built By Legends plans to unveil it in spring 2025. "We haven't really made public any of the photos or images of the car or the parts of the car yet," Takahashi said.

Kuji and Takahashi said they'd someday like to build an Acura NSX using the same ethos as their GT-Rs and Civics. However, that project is still a long way off.

In addition to making its own vehicles, Built By Legends is a partner in Garage Yoshida's Skyline GT-R restoration program. The work starts at about $83,000 for a job that includes a complete 3d chassis alignment, rust removal, strut tower replacement, new paint, and a refurbished interior. From there, buyers can pay a higher price for a more extensive refresh.

According to Kuij, the idea of starting Built By Legends began when he and Takahashi had a conversation about their dream cars while taking a drive. "We both came up with owning a Skyline," he said. "And the conversation kind of started from there…. We were both talking about what our ultimate spec was, and we realized that there were no companies that were doing restomods for these cars."

They found a niche in the market and filled it with a world-class product. Judging by its impressive creations so far, Built By Legends is a restomod builder to watch.