Produced from 1995 to 1998, the R33 GT-R (chassis code BCNR33) refined the R32's formula with a stiffer, larger body and revised all-wheel-drive electronics. It's the least hyped of the three GT-R generations in mainstream car culture, which for buyers focused on the driving experience rather than the badge often makes it the sharpest value in the family.
Overview
The R33 carried a lightly revised RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-six over from the R32, paired with an updated ATTESA-ETS controller and, on V-Spec models, an Active Limited Slip Differential at the rear axle. It also introduced Nissan's HICAS four-wheel steering system in refined form. Around 16,668 R33 GT-Rs were built in total before the R34 took over in 1998 — a smaller production run than either sibling, which shows in how much rarer clean examples are today.
BCNR33 GT-R
V-Spec adds the Active LSD and revised ATTESA controller over the standard car — the version most enthusiasts specifically seek out.
Homologation & Limited Runs
N1 spec strips air conditioning, audio and rear seats for endurance racing. The Nismo-built 400R is an extremely rare, heavily reworked flagship — a genuine collector piece.
Auction Pricing
Standard R33 GT-Rs at Japanese auction typically trade from around ¥4,000,000 up to ¥8,000,000+ depending on grade and mileage, with V-Spec and V-Spec N1 examples commanding a premium over standard cars. The ultra-rare 400R sits in an entirely different bracket at international collector auctions, with documented sales well into six figures USD given only a handful were ever built.
What to Check
Same fundamentals as the R32: RB26 engine and turbo condition, ATTESA and rear diff function, and an honest look at accident/repair history given the car's age and the amount of circuit use these have seen over three decades. V-Spec-specific components (the Active LSD in particular) are worth confirming are original and functioning rather than removed or bypassed.
Import Eligibility
Fully Eligible
The entire R33 production run (1995–1998) cleared Australia's 25-year threshold years ago.
Fully Eligible
Every R33 cleared the federal 25-year exemption by 2023. State registration requirements still vary — see our Import page.
MOT Only
Well past the 10-year IVA threshold — a standard MOT is all that's needed to register.
FAQ
Why is the R33 cheaper than the R32 and R34?
It's largely a demand/perception effect rather than anything mechanical — the R33 doesn't carry the R32's Group A racing legend or the R34's pop-culture profile, despite a strong chassis and a smaller production run. That gap has been closing as buyers reassess the car on its own merits.
Is V-Spec worth the premium over a standard R33 GT-R?
If you want the sharpest factory driving experience, yes — the Active LSD makes a real difference. If you're planning to modify the car significantly anyway, a well-kept standard car can be the smarter base to build from.