This dubai-based v-spec gt-r33 lm is the only road-going version in the world, in white

When most people applaud the success of the Skyline GT-R they refer mainly to the R33 (and not as you'd expect - the R34) a monstrously successful car that was soon dubbed 'Godzilla' for its impressive performance on the track, at such events as the Australian Bathurst 1000 touring-car race and one-time production record lap of the Nurburgring.

To celebrate one such podium win Nissan released the GT-R33 LM in 1996, a limited edition Skyline dressed in additional carbon fibre bits, marking their success in the GT 1 category of the 24 hours Le Mans. There is some debate, however, as to how many of these Nissan actually produced. Some say 200, others suggest that the more commonly quote run of 98 is more likely.

One thing we know is that there is only one in the Middle East - and we're taking it for a sneaky spin. Sneaky because this is an official right-hand drive Japanese import, an unmolested Skyline free of ghastly Nissan Maxima steering rack, dash and switchgear. This also means it's unregistered, so free of number plates too.

There was once a loop-hole that existed which many right-hand drive Skyline owners exploited, allowing them to enjoy their right-hand drive Jap imports for at least one year before re-registering would necessitate the brutal left-hand drive conversion - more than often undertaken by inexperienced technicians in back-alley workshops. The result, ironically enough, was a vehicle way more dangerous than the actual action of driving a right-hand drive car on the left-hand side of the road.

Regardless, the powers that be in Dubai took an immediate dislike to Skylines, for one reason or another and, subsequently banned them for the roads. And I have paid enough visits to the Confiscated Car Compound to tell you that the yards are literally littered with GT-Rs

The gentleman's agreement between Japanese manufacturers that all production cars would not exceed 280bhp, the standard twin-turbo Skyline GT-R model, with two Garrett T28 ceramic turbochargers, was capable of producing a lot more. The limited edition LM V-spec model broke this golden handshake and exploited the unstressed 2.6-litre RB26DETT unit a little further to 305bhp - although still capable of a lot more, evidence in many examples running in excess of 1300bhp with heavy modifications.

It is also stated that the GT-3R 3LM was only supplied in Championship blue colour (paint code BT52) but it surfaces that there were also three very special models made in white - one is in a museum, another crashed - leaving this Dubai-based V-Spec GT-R33 LM as the only road-going white version in the world.

But then this example is also imprisoned to a life of motionless! Seems the white edition LM is destined to never turn another wheel again. But one GT-R that is ready to roll is the GT-R34 and what better place to roll than at the Skyline's spiritual home, the Nurburgring...

Specification
Engine In-line 6-cyl, twin-turbo
Location Front, longitudinal
Displacement 2568cc
Cylinder block Cast iron
Cylinder head Aluminium alloy, dohc per bank, 4v per cylinder, variable valve timing
Fuel and ignition Electronic engine management, sequential multipoint injection
Max power 305bhp @ 6800rpm
Max torque 289lb ft @ 4400rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel drive
Front suspension Multi-link, coil springs, dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension Multi-link, coil springs, dampers, anti-roll bar
Weight 1350kg
Power-to-weight 230bhp/ton
0-100kph 4.6sec
Max speed 265kph (estimated)
Price $ 98,000 (1996) est
Evo Rating 4 Star