It’s interesting what people collect… what they’re drawn to. A lot of us are drawn to nostalgic items… stuff from our youth that imprinted on us. Often it’s either things we either had, or couldn’t have. Maybe from places we went… or couldn’t go. And usually in that same recipe, a lot of us are also drawn to past-era stuff that grips all our senses. Stuff we can ride, drive, wear, feel, hear, smell, restore… stuff that makes our spirit smile. And hell – sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason to it at all. This is off-topic, but I have a buddy who collects Jersey Mike’s points just for the flex. Yep – he has enough for like 100 free subs. Which brings up a life hack: If you know somebody who’s accumulated a lot of points to whatever restaurant, and you ALSO know their phone number… cha-ching… lunch is on them lol. Anyway, Kevin is a collector of collectible things. It brings him joy. In fact, he sold some Pokemon cards & bought a C5 Vette with the cash. That’s so wild to me. Also wild, is his R33 Skyline GTS25T Type M.

This R33 Skyline was purchased in 2019, before JDM car prices skyrocketed…

Kevin always wanted a Skyline. He was partial to the R33, because it shared design language with his S14. He & his wife actually had a joint savings account called “The R33 Fund”. And as fate would have it, Kevin won $5,000 on a cruise-ship slot machine. That was enough to tip the R33 Fund over the top, and Kevin got his R33 Skyline GTS25T (landed) for just $12,500.

The R33 Skyline GTS25T Type M…

Just for a little background & model info, the GTS25T Type M essentially sits just below the GTR in the R33 lineup. It is RWD vs the GTR’s AWD, and runs a RB25 (2.5) turbo, versus the GTR’s RB26 (2.6) twin-turbo. The Type M was the appearance package, with a more aggressive front bumper, skirts, and rear spats.

Everyone calls the R33 Skyline a boat, compared to the R32…

So Kevin added a Uras kit and then painted his R33 with bass-boat levels of flake. This is not a wrap, it’s House of Kolor paint (jams too). The paint gave off cosmic/galaxy vibes, so Kevin decided to roll with that theme. Inside, he did a Starlight headliner, like that of the Rolls-Royce. In back, infinity taillights were custom made by a guy in Russia. And it may be hard to notice in photos, but the taillights still retain the OEM subtle curve to the lenses. Most custom taillights of this kind use flat lenses. Finally, keeping in theme, is the starship exhaust (see below).

Kevin searched out period-correct parts…

This R33 Skyline has a NISMO pedal set & rare NISMO passenger footrest. It’s got NISMO front & rear strut bars. It also has period-correct NISMO seatbelt pads complimenting the purple Recaro Crayola seats. Cool side-note: Kevin’s 350Z sports a matching pair in blue. Also cool – is the Worksbell tilt-up steering wheel hub attached to the Hitman steering wheel with NISMO horn button. The engine is mostly stock, because for what Kevin’s doing, he doesn’t need 1,000hp, or the headaches that come with it. But – the engine is sporting an ARC super induction box (red). And various NISMO-type caps & collectibles. Kevin’s also acquired a collection of retro Nissan/NISMO apparel & memorabilia.

R33 Skyline – Wheels & Suspension…

The wheels are made by Impul, and the model is Funfzig (which is German for 50). They’re 18×10.5 +20 up front, and 18×11.5 +12 rear… with Continental tires sized at 215/40 front & 235/40 rear. Suspension-wise, this R33 runs a D2 Racing bag-on-coilover setup with Airlift 3P management & Viair compressors. And if you’re curious…

Here are some other cars in Kevin’s collection…

Just last week, Kevin picked up an S2000. His daughter is now obsessed with Suki’s pink S2k from 2 Fast 2 Furious, which was kind of the motivation (or at least the excuse) behind the purchase. Kevin figures if the obsession holds strong, it might end up being her first car. He’s also got the previously-mentioned C5 Corvette. That’s his new obsession & he says he loves absolutely everything about it. His wife’s toy is an NA Miata with a hardtop. Kevin’s also got an S14 (very OEM+), and a 350Z drift car. Oh and get this: He’s got a VIP-styled Toyota Previa (the mid-engine minivan), and a Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. Somewhere in the mix, is a yellow 2003 GMC Sonoma Crew Cab 4×4. And last but not least: A square-body Suburban that’s stock as a rock (for now).

Photos by Ryan Betz

Other Parts…

NISMO front grille, oil cap, radiator cap, B-pillar garnish, & rear badging. Ganador super mirror with LED. NISMO door handle guard. OEM optional rear shade, navan floor mats, illuminated rear garnish, & illuminated parking pole. Hitman steering wheel & lighted Hitman triple dice shift knob. Blitz i-burnerz light kit. Deviant shift boot. Willans harnesses. Matching set of authentic Jiko Shiki light-up plates. Kenwood head unit, Kicker L7 subs, and an Audio Control 1800 amp. Aerowolf mirror visors and canards.