While we’re all out here in the rainy southern California drowning in the rain, GT Live drivers are testing their cars in the sunny Suzuka Circuit in Japan.  I would give a baby away to be there driving these cars.  Check out the Five, count them 5 Honda HSV’s running.  I think there’s a good chance of domination this year.  Well, too early to see but they seem pretty aggressive on the turns.  That Raybrig car looks dope even with the very minimal graphic it has.  Seriously Honda please bring these cars out.  If not baby Jesus will be mad.  Can’t wait to see these guys in actual race mode.  Road trip to Japan anyone?  Or … should I say Air Trip? Sea Trip?  Whatever it is, this race is meant to be seen live!!! Let’s do this!!

There are legends out there that that are pretty much it… Legends. Stories that has been passed on throughout generations. But by the end of the day all they are is just another story and nothing more. But there are real life legends that still exist. One of which is a car that I drove yesterday. Still yet to be just another story. This car is still writing the pages to it’s, so far, almost 20 year novel.

I was on the road driving from Garden Grove to our shop in Camarillo driving an HCR32. What’s an HCR32? It’s a 1989 – 94 (correct me if i’m wrong) Skyline GTS. The GTS Sports an RB20 motor (Among others) instead of the RB26 that the GT-R has. It’s also a RWD car instead of the AWD that the GT-R possesses. Now the awesome thing about this particular car is that it received a RB26 transplant replacing it’s RB20 heart. Not only that, this car is also fully built with all HKS internals, waste gate, turbo; the whole 9. The car is capable of doing well over 800 horses which was initially planned but was tuned down to 600whp for an easier, streetable drive. From what I’ve been told the car actually burns out even if you’re on fourth gear. Yeah, that’s scary. Now, with the car being a right hand drive vehicle, one of it’s best feature is that that you can give the car right next to you a kick ass High Five while running at 80mph. Unfortunately tho, with all my instigations, nobody is game enough to do it with me on the 405. Lame….

The car is setup for street driving but it was also intended to see some track time and since it’s a RWD, why not try drifting it in the process. Since this is the case the car is fully gutted, caged and is only rocking one bucket seat and a set of takata harness. The OE gauge cluster is also tossed out and replaced with a Stack gauge cluster and a defi heads up display that displays the car’s vital information with out the distraction of looking down and getting your eyes off the road.

Now, my gripe about this car is that with all that power you are going to need a new clutch system. The car is running an OS-Giken “heavy as hell” clutch system which makes the car hard to drive. No no don’t get me wrong I love it. The clutch is amazing but my problem is driving this car back on a crazy 405 traffic. By the time I got back my left leg was sore from stepping on the clutch. Still I love it. The roar of the engine, the deafening sound of the exhaust and smell of gas. Ok nevermind that wasn’t a gripe about the car. I just hated driving through the 405 traffic.

The thing I love the most on this car is the feel of the drive. It’s not the power, it’s not the speed, it’s the feeling that you’re actually driving the car. No computers that guides and controls the car for you. The way you shift into gear is hard, the way the steering wheel turns is precise and the way it takes the bumps on the road is uncomfortable yet satisfying. The car feels raw and unforgiving and with a little push on the gas pedal, the car launches you forward to oblivion. I just couldn’t help but smile while driving because it gives you the sense of control that you hardly feel on new cars nowadays. Why can’t they make new cars like this anymore? There were rumors that they are going to release the new R35 V-Spec with a standard manual transmission. I really hope they do so you can drive it the way it’s meant to be. Drive the new skyline like how it’s predecessors were driven.

doesn't look much now but wait a few months.

Yesterday was our last day (unless they call me again) of filming for our part in FF4. While parked on the area they had all the wrecked Skylines all lined up just sitting there. A pretty sad sight since these wrecks used to be great cars. Actually if you pay close attention to the car and if you actually know what you’re looking at you’ll realize that some of these aren’t BNR34′s or R34′s. They used a lot of R32′s and 33′s and fitted them with the R34 body. Peep at this crazyness.

Which one is which. See if you can classify which skyline it really is.  Man you can toss away the crushers but I just want a set of those RE30′s.  Can I have one please Paramount?