Stealing a car is bad enough, but stealing a classic car from an automaker itself is a bold, shocking, and incredibly stupid act. Who would do something like that? Well, we might find out soon. Reports from the land of stubbies and singlets claim that an R32 Skyline GT-R was stolen directly out of Nissan Australia’s heritage collection, and now the hunt is on for this piece of automotive history.
A full 35 years after its debut in 1989, what hasn’t been said about the iconic R32 Skyline GT-R? This twin-turbocharged all-wheel-drive weapon from Japan quickly became a force to be reckoned with in Group A racing, built a legend in tuning circles thanks to the insane headroom of its RB26DETT 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six, and captured the hearts of the “Gran Turismo” generation.
Up until recently, Nissan Australia has a beautiful one in its possession but News.com.au reports it’s been stolen, and Victoria police are looking for it. As per the report:
The legendary car, valued at more than $250,000, is understood to be stolen this morning from Nissan Corporation.
A Nissan Australia spokeswoman confirmed that “Unfortunately our original R32 GT-R has been stolen and is now subject to a police investigation”.
The report claims that the car was jacked directly from Nissan Australia, rather than from a shipping carrier or something of the sort. Considering pretty much every automaker-owned facility I’ve been to has round-the-clock security and a litany of cameras, you have to be both brazen and foolish to attempt a heist on one of these properties. It does happen on occasion — a few years back, a press car I was booked in was allegedly lifted right off the automaker’s premises by joyriders — but it’s extraordinarily uncommon.
Besides, this is one of those cars that’s so rare and documented, it would be tricky to dispose of. There aren’t that many immaculate Red Pearl R32 GT-Rs just hanging about, and even the parts are both pretty desirable and only sellable to a tight-knit community that already knows this particular GT-R’s gone missing.
So, if you’re out and about in Victoria and happen to spot an R32 Skyline GT-R with the registration number GTR 091, alert the authorities. Nissan needs its car back. Fingers crossed damages are minimal, because with collector cars like these, they aren’t making any more.
(Photo credits: Nissan)
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These guys know what they’re stealing. They’re not ordinary thieves. They would have had some sort of masterplan including what to do with it after acquisition.
I used to live near a Japanese grocery that had hundreds of bootlegged anime VHS for rent. One night, someone broke in and stole them all. Sometimes people steal stuff just cause they want it
Vehicle theft should be punishable by death, a very painful death at that. A car crusher would be fitting.
Is there an anti-Indiana Jones out there stealing cars? “That doesn’t belong in a museum!”
The Nissan Australia headquarters has part of its Heritage Collection on the ground floor, on display inside a glass facade, so not super high security. Just metres down the road on the other side Mazda Australia has a similar setup, with a revolving selection of cars from its collection or loaned by private owners lined up in a display window along the front of the building.
I guess an R32 GTR is a bit more desirable to a thief than a 1970s Mazda 323 hatchback though.
I hope the thief gets stung by a jellyfish or a blue ring octopus or something lol
Does anyone have eyes on Dom and Brian? Might want to ask them some questions on this one…
Ocean’s R32?
How long did it take them to get away? I’m guessing 60 seconds
Ugh. Freaking thieves. While home burglary bothers me WAY more than stealing from a corporation (not because I consider one more “right” than the other, but because a corporation can better absorb the damage and keep functioning) stealing irreplaceable items bothers me a lot. Especially since there is every chance this will get ripped in to parts and scrap.
Inside job. Car’s in a shipping container on a ship bound for Saudi Arabia or Qatar.
Unfortunately likely the case just like all of the cars that have been stolen out of Japan over the past few years. It will likely either ended up parted out or privately registered and never seen again.
Keep an eye out for any red R32 half cuts hitting the market in the next few months, but even then it’s unlikely any involved country’s police force will do anything just like every other time parts from stolen Japanese cars have been found for sale online.
That was my first thought
With something this specific, they likely already had a buyer in mind before the theft. I’d say China or Russia is almost as likely.
Nope, definitely the Middle East (UAE/Qatar). That’s where they all get chopped up. China isn’t really a market for this stuff at all. Russia’s not really a market for this stuff either, and they have (well, had) easy access to JDM stuff from Vladivostok. No reason to steal from Australia.
There aren’t any pristine R32’s in the Vladivostok yards so that’s not a valid source for this particular client.
Suspect described as “a buster,” may be with known associate and associate’s fambly.
Maybe Tenpenny should start looking at Easter Basin Docks.
Someone just got the best Gran Turismo simulator.
Stealing a Nissan? Did they resort to that after the insult of being the first person denied a credit application at a Nissan dealership? /s
“Unfortunately, we can’t complete your financing request at this time. Some other options for you include:
– learning to run very, very fast
– stealing a bicycle from a child
– the Stellantis dealership located at 2700 Autopark Drive”
“You can, alternatively, consider BMW (Bike, Metro, Walk).”
lol is that even possible?
I hope it’s recovered whole and of a piece. There’s more than one way to dispose of a hot car :/
Were the suspects seen driving a dilapidated looking ute?
No big deal. Just issue a recall notice.
Clearly someone finally learned not to get distracted by Eleanor.
Has anyone verified Carlos Ghson’s location during the heist?
I’ll trade you a R32 Skyline GT-R for the Yacht
+1 came here for this
Smuggled that sucker out in a giant piano crate.