Ultra-Rare Nissan R33 GT-R V-Spec Heads to Bonhams Auction

The Nissan R33 GT-R V-Spec occupies a special corner of the JDM classic market, and this particular car raises the stakes.

One of only 100 R33 GT-Rs officially delivered to the UK via Middlehurst Garage, it's reportedly one of just 10 V-Specs ordered with leather seats and among a tiny handful finished in deep red leather from new.

That rare specification, coupled with documented provenance and tasteful Nismo upgrades, is why this car is now consigned to Bonhams Cars for auction.

Provenance and factory options

Delivered new by Middlehurst Garage of St Helens, this R33 shows paperwork that reads like a collector's wishlist.

The first owner specified the leather upgrade at £1,872.34, a CD changer for £255.32, white instrument dials for £382.98, and a factory-linked 330 bhp upgrade for £170.21, which the invoice amusingly breaks down to £3.40 per additional bhp.

The total purchase price recorded in 1998 came to £51,150, a substantial sum at the time and a clear indicator of an owner who wanted the best available spec.

Ownership history and preservation

Service records show the GT-R remained with Middlehurst until 2003, with a logged service at 51,693 miles, suggesting the first keeper retained the car for roughly five years.

The car then changed hands three more times before spending a decade in dry storage, a period that often preserves original trim and metalwork better than regular use.

Around two years ago, the current owner acquired the GT-R and sensitively upgraded it with period-correct, desirable parts rather than wholesale modification.

Desirable upgrades: Nismo wheels, exhaust and tuning

 

During its quiet years, this V-Spec acquired an ultra-rare set of Nismo LM GT1 split-rim alloys and a Nismo exhaust system — both parts that carry serious cachet within the GT-R community.

More recently, RM Automotive Services completed mapping and tuning work in February 2024, with invoices topping £3,000.

That program produced a dyno-verified peak of 448 bhp and 357 lb-ft of torque, a healthy and well-controlled increase over factory figures that suggests the engine responds well to careful tuning while remaining reliable.

Market relevance and collector appeal

The R33 sits at an interesting crossroads between late-90s performance and modern desirability.

Collectors prize UK-specified cars for traceable provenance, and unique factory options — especially rare interior colours — add a premium.

The red leather alone gives this GT-R a visual rarity that photographs and auction catalogues reward; pair that with documented Middlehurst history, Nismo hardware and verified dyno figures, and you have a car that will attract both JDM purists and speculative investors.

"A factory-specified option like red leather changes the story of a car," says a veteran GT-R specialist. "It's the difference between another nice example and a headline-making lot at auction."

What to expect at Bonhams

Bonhams Cars has the reach to bring this R33 in front of a global audience of collectors, and rarity plus provenance tends to perform well under the hammer.

Condition, originality of the cabin and the quality of the recent tuning work will be decisive factors.

Prospective buyers should review the Bonhams condition report, ask for service invoices, and confirm the dyno sheet and wheel/exhaust provenance before bidding.

Conclusion — expert perspective

This R33 GT-R V-Spec is not just another Skyline — it's a curated example that checks many collector boxes: rare factory options, traceable dealer documentation, desirable Nismo parts and contemporary, conservative tuning that enhances performance without wrecking originality.

Heading to Bonhams Cars, it's poised to be a headline lot; savvy buyers will look beyond the dyno numbers to the paper trail and the red leather that makes this car genuinely singular.