A Nissan that was driven by Paul Walker in 2009 film Fast & Furious 4 has sold at auction for a world record seven-figure sum.
The 2000 Bayside Blue Skyline R34 GT-R, which was built and painted to Walker’s exacting specification, changed hands at a US sale for a staggering $1,357,000, which works out at a shade over £1million.
Described as ‘a genuine piece of cinematic and modern motoring history,’ the Skyline is now officially the most expensive sold.
This 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R built for – and driven by – Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 4 (pictured) sold this month for a new world record figure
The winning bid of $1,357,000 – which converts to a fraction over £1million – is the highest price ever paid for a Nissan Skyline GT-R, having more than doubled the previous record
Auction experts say the sale figure doubled the previous record set in 2022 when $577,500 was paid for a GT-R.
Provided to Universal Film Studios in 2008, the GT-R offered to the highest bidder last week was principal hero car of the movie and the ‘one and only’ authentic R34 GT-R which appeared on screen, driven by the franchise’s late acting star and all-round petrol-head.
The Skyline was uniquely customised by Daryl Alison of Kaizo Industries to Walker’s personal specification, which included the removal of all exterior vinyls to highlight the car’s clean lines, reflecting the actor’s wish not to drive a ‘Sticker Bomber’ and the installation of a large dashboard monitor.
Bonhams, which sold the vehicle, said the OMP custom racing bucket driver seats installed in the souped-up Japanese motor remains in Walker’s seating position.
Maarten Ten Holder, managing director at Bonhams Collector Cars, said: ‘This is an incredible result, well-deserved for such an iconic car – not only one of the most famous contemporary automotive film stars from one of the world’s biggest movie franchises, but the ultimate example of the mighty ‘Godzilla’.
‘This is a genuine piece of cinematic and modern motoring history.’
Richard Stafford, head of research at the revered auction house, added: ‘We were excited to have had the opportunity to offer this legendary Skyline to global car enthusiasts on behalf of its vendor and are thrilled that it has been such a box office hit, with bidding across the world.’
Provided to Universal Film Studios in 2008, the second-generation 2000 GT-R was uniquely customised by Daryl Alison of Kaizo Industries to Paul Walker’s personal specification
The GT-R featured extensively in the motion picture as the ‘hero car’, meaning it was the one used for the close-up shots of Walker at the wheel
Paul Walker requested that the Skyline appeared in the move without any stickers, despite this being a common sight in the 2000s modified car scene that blew up as a result of the popularity of the Fast & Furious franchise
The car was sold with the same specification as was used during filming, with the vehicle not being modified after performing its duties on set.
The conversion requested by Walker included the installation of a custom roll cage, a bespoke dashboard-mounted PC and a Turbonetics intercooler which was added to the 2.6-litre twin-turbo straight six engine, twinned with a six-speed manual transmission.
Externally, the GT-R was enhanced with Volk Racing RE30 wheels and a Nismo NE-1 high-performance exhaust.
The car is seen here in its standard Bayside Blue paint during filming for the movie. It has remained unchanged ever since
Walker is seen tearing through Los Angeles in a high-stakes street race and later using the Japanese sports car for smuggling over the Mexican border
Its availability at auction not only interest car collectors but enthusiasts of the popular film franchise and fans of the man who drove it.
Walker is considered a modern cult hero of the big screen and is remembered for his love for fast cars.
Various models formerly owned by the star have been sold for huge sums since his tragic death on 30 November 2013 having lost his life in a crash in his Porsche Carrera GT supercar as a passenger.
The GT-R featured extensively in the motion picture as the ‘hero car’, meaning it was the one used for the close-up shots of Walker at the wheel.
Walker is seen tearing through Los Angeles in a high-stakes street race and later using the Japanese sports car for smuggling over the Mexican border.
The action sequences, including the car being blown up in a fireball, were carried out by six replica Skyline stunt cars, of which four were GT-T rear wheel drive non-turbo models.
Externally, the GT-R was enhanced with Volk Racing RE30 wheels and a Nismo NE-1 high-performance exhaust
Bonhams said the world record auction price achieve was an ‘incredible result’ and was ‘well-deserved for such an iconic car’
The R45 Skyline GT-R retains the custom roll cage, bespoke dashboard-mounted PC and OMP custom racing bucket seats as requested by Paul Walker ahead of filming for the movie
The body of another was mounted onto an off-road dune buggy for a jump shot and a cut-out body ‘buck’ car mounted on a trailer was used for in-car shots – all dressed to resemble this original GT-R.
Bonhams explained to us before the auction that the car had seen very little use in recent years.
In fact, it was showcased in a very popular exhibit at the Munich Motorworld, with fans coming from far and wide to see this iconic car from the much-loved movie.
‘In recent years, notably, it has been wrapped in a paint protection film,’ the auctioneer told us.
‘The GT-R is running but as with any car that has been on static display for some time, we advise servicing and recommissioning before it is used in anger.’
The seating position has been left as it was when Paul Walker drove the car in the film. Every element of the specification was put together by the late actor who tragically died in 2013
A Turbonetics intercooler was added to the 2.6-litre twin-turbo straight six engine, twinned with a six-speed manual transmission
Bonhams says the GT-R is a running car but has been on static display for some time. This is why it has advised servicing and recommissioning before it is ‘used in anger’ by the new owner
The Walker Skyline lot description stated: ‘This scene-stealing modern classic is unquestionably one of the most notable and covetable vehicles from the most celebrated automotive film franchise of all time.
‘The Fast and Furious franchise has grossed more than $6billion worldwide and has showcased some of the most dazzling custom machines in cinematic history.
‘It is an instantly recognisable example of a timeless design, built to the precise personal specification of a most celebrated (and now sadly missed) true enthusiast.
‘This street racer merits every superlative accolade and represents the opportunity to own a genuine piece of cinematic and automotive history.’
The film star GT-R was sold with a copy of the Universal Pictures rental contract.
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