1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 by Signal Auto

• Appeared in The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift

• Converted from AWD to RWD

• Proven competitor in drag racing, time attack, and drifting

Kousuke “Mad” Kida grew up working in his father’s body shop. Immediately exposed to the automotive world, he was bound to fall in love. By the time he was a teenager he found himself involved with street racing and the Bōsōzoku gang — a notorious group in the Japanese tuner scene, known for their whacky modifications and aggressive driving habits. Kida quickly learned the risks of this lifestyle and decided it was time to find legal outlets for his passion.

He opened a shop. Aptly named for its proximity to a traffic light, Signal Auto focused on customer vehicles — effectively steering Kousuke clear of his old ways. However, after over a decade of routine modifying and tuning work, he discovered his next adrenaline rush in high-octane sports. Kousuke wanted in on the action and expanded the shop to pursue racing. 

Kousuke would dream up an R34 GT-R that could dominate in all racing categories. The R34 was first set up as a drag car. With an RB26DETT stroked to 2.8L, twin aftermarket HKS turbochargers, stripped-out interior, carbon and fiberglass body panels, and a rear-wheel-drive conversion, the GT-R was lightweight and pushed out 1000 hp! It destroyed the competition, consistently churning out 9 second quarter miles, and occasionally high 8s. 

Satisfied with the car’s performance in drag racing, Kousuke reconfigured the R34 for its new goal — to produce sub-1 minute lap times at Tsubaka circuit. The engine was de-stroked from 2.8L to 2.7, the HKS twin turbochargers were ditched for a Greddy T88, and the camshafts were swapped out for a set more conducive to mid-range power. The new configuration proved to be successful as well. 

Their triumphs across multiple disciplines attracted the attention of American automotive journalist Howard Lim of Super Street Magazine, who helped Signal Auto become well-known stateside. In 2000 they were able to open a new shop in Torrance, California. With them came the R34. Now, attempting to break records on US circuits, the set up was tweaked for a third time. A smaller turbo replaced the Greddy T88 in hopes of achieving more responsive boost. The latest configuration was another winner.

When the D1GP drifting series made its way to the United States in 2003, the R34 would be placed in its fourth and final configuration. Already converted from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, Signal’s GT-R only required minor adjustments to be considered full “drift spec,” so they made the necessary changes and joined the competition. Although not as victorious as a drift car it continued to compete as one, also running in the Formula Drift circuit for a few years before retiring. But the Signal Auto R34’s fame does not end with its racing career. This iconic machine also appeared in the hit film, The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift. 

It was on the back of this GT-R that Signal Auto cemented itself as a pioneer of the tuning industry and one of the greatest shops of all time. Today, the GT-R's Maziora color-shift paint — a distinguishing feature of several Signal Auto builds — still shows blemishes picked up from being tossed around tracks. These battle scars serve as a reminder of the car’s storied past and the glory days of Signal Auto and tuner culture. 

Specifications

Engine: 2.8L Single Turbo RB-26 (RB-28) Stroker 

Horsepower: 650 whp 

Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive, Holinger Six-Speed Sequential Transmission

Weight: 3000 lbs

¼ Mile Time: ~ 9 seconds