• Built By Legends presented R34 GT-R restomod at 2024 SEMA show
• Pricing starts at $450,000, not including cost of donor car
• Early R34 GT-Rs eligible for U.S. import under 25-year rule

The R34-generation of Nissan’s Skyline GT-R is an iconic car that featured on the bedroom walls of many car fans around the turn of the century, including in markets where the car was never sold, due to its popularization in the “Gran Turismo” video game series.

However, it wasn’t only the stock GT-R that was popular. There were also examples built by some of Japan’s top tuning companies at the time, like HKS, Mine’s, and Top Secret, as well as Nissan’s own Nismo division, which reached stardom in automotive circles.

A Japanese company by the name of Built By Legends is now offering restomod packages that turn cars like the R34 GT-R into something close to matching the iconic tuner versions, albeit with modern techniques and materials. It used this week’s 2024 SEMA show in Las Vegas to present one of the completed restomod cars, in this case an R34 GT-R built similarly to the original Mine’s R34 GT-R.

According to Built By Legends, it has worked closely with Japan’s tuning firms in the past and is now using that experience for its restomod packages. The process involves a lot more than just bolt-on parts. Cars are stripped back to the bare chassis and fully restored, where necessary. Extra welds—400 in total—are then made across the chassis to help improve strength and rigidity.

In the case of the R34 GT-R, many new parts including Aragosta suspension, AP Racing brakes, and period-correct 18-inch Rays wheels replace their standard counterparts. The twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter inline-6 engine is also replaced with a Mine’s MB7 version, whose output is 650 hp, or roughly double the original output. It’s mated to a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission and spins all four wheels via the R34 GT-R’s all-wheel-drive system.

This particular car is finished in the R34’s iconic Bayside Blue paint color, and inside, almost every surface has been lined in Ultrasuede, including on the door panels, the dash, and the seats. Other touches include a Mine’s steering wheel in leather and Alcantara, as well as extra sound and heat insulation in the roof and floors.

Pricing for the restomod package starts at $450,000, and that doesn’t include the cost of the donor car. The company also has packages for the R32 and R33 GT-Rs, and is developing some Spoon-inspired packages for the Honda Civic.

Early examples of the R34 GT-R are now eligible for import into the U.S. under the 25-year rule, as the car was built between 1999 and 2002. Interested customers can supply their own vehicle or Built By Legends can source one. The company can also help with organizing of shipping of vehicles between countries.