A 1971 Nissan Skyline GTX would be valuable in any form thanks to being the first Skyline coupe in history, but this one additionally brings excellent condition and a custom engine swap to the table. Perhaps this is why the bidding is already at $82,888 with a week remaining until the auction ends.
The car had been kept in Japan until 2018, when its current owner bought it and imported into the United States. In its stock form, the Skyline GTX Coupe maxed out at a 2.0-liter engine rated at 160 PS (158 hp / 118 kW).
This example, however, received some restomod treatment and ended up with an L28 engine under the hood, which powers more recent Nissans. The 3.0-liter inline-six mill works in tandem with three Mikuni carburetors and a boost kit by Kameari Engine Works. At the dyno stand, the car produced 186 PS (183 hp / 137 kW) and 271 Nm (200 lb-ft) of torque.
The transmission is five-speed manual. Suspension benefits from new shocks and springs, as well as Victory 50 sway bars. 15-inch Watanabe wheels are mounted all around, and the brakes are aftermarket, too.
We are told that the car went through a complete body restoration and interior makeover a few years ago, which landed it with a modern AC, power windows, a quality audio system and additional dash gauges. The odometer shows around 42,000 kilometers (26,000 miles) of use, but the real mileage remains unknown.