Derbyshire’s Cleanest Nissan Skyline

No noise. No shortcuts. Just precision, care, and obsession. Built with patience and finished with purpose, it stands as Derbyshire’s benchmark for how a Skyline should look, feel, and be respected.

Every clean fresh build has a past. lets present you with this one - 3 years ago.

Time hadn’t been kind, and it needed a lot of TLC.

But where others saw tired panels and imperfections on every part of this car, the current owner saw something else... a rare, sought-after model (to be later explained) and beneath it all, a great beating heart... An engine worth saving. The one thing going for this car was the engine. It ran like it had just rolled out the show room and had very minimal modifications which we all know is a rarity on these cars.

So what made this car special?

This was a Series 1 R33, which meant it benefited from the beautiful rounded body lines and the aggressive early headlights that many enthusiasts prefer. But beneath the surface, it told a different story.

It was fitted with a Series 2 engine, giving it improved electronics and a more advanced integrated ignition system. What really shocked me was discovering some rarely discussed information backed by Nissan themselves, only a very small number of Series 1 cars were produced with a Series 2 engine. This was a testing crossover period and was extremely short, Nissan never officially disclosed the production figures, making this a genuine rarity and a combination that was never meant to last.

So what was first?

Of course, only the best care. From the moment it was owned, the new owner gave this car everything it needed from new coilovers to a full car care package. That meant the timing belt and water pump were taken care of, along with fresh serpentine belts, intercooler and piping, new engine oil, genuine nissan coolant, brand-new ignition coils, and fresh spark plugs. No shortcuts, no guesswork just doing things properly from the start.

Our RB25 Care Kit Available Here

Here's the engine in its 2/3 form. 

Now the reliability was taken care of its time to tackle the aesthetics.

Now, for anyone who got the original kit correct well done... seriously welldone. After some extensive research (to say the least), it turned out this car originally came from japan with the genuine Bomex kit! Which is a rare thing to see here in the UK. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it), the owner had better taste and the kit was later changed something we’re all thankful for now we have the finished product. 

The Bomex Kit on the car.

Rust… it had it. Of course it did  it’s a Skyline from Japan... Both sills required attention, and while this work was being carried out, the underside of the car was thoroughly checked over and properly undersealed with precision, ensuring everything underneath was protected and done right.

Now Lets Find The Right FIT

Now it was time for the fun part shopping for the body kit. While many off the shelf bundles were searched, it quickly became clear this build needed something more considered. A bit of DIY chemistry was required to get the look just right. The owner had a very specific vision for how the car should sit and flow, choosing each piece individually rather than settling for a one size fits all solution. That meant a beautiful Z-Tune bonnet, an aggressive GT-R–style front bumper, 400R side skirts, subtle rear canards, and the only option that truly made sense to finish it all off  a GT-R style rear spoiler.

Hikari GTR rear spoiler

Below pictures with the new bonnet and spoiler fitted

ITS TIME! LETS STRIP IT!

Now it was time to strip this car right back to the bare metal it left the factory with in Japan. We couldn’t possibly continue this write-up without mentioning the company behind it all TP Sprays LTD. These guys are arguably among the best at what they do and are based in the Midlands. If you’re after absolute perfection, we highly recommend paying them a visit.

TP Sprays LTD website.

The attention to detail shown throughout the process was unmatched. Every layer of paint was stripped away, every component removed from the shell, the windows were taken out. Sections of the car were re-welded where needed, body lines were reshaped and refined, and nothing was overlooked. This wasn’t a respray it was a full, ground-up overhaul done properly.

The process:

Look at that shell

Further part removals for paint:

Colour Reveal... 

Just look at this colour. Japanese perfection in every sense. In the sunlight it transforms, revealing depth and character that simply disappear the moment you try to photograph it and you’re reminded that some things are meant to be seen, not captured.

(completely unfiltered)

The Day The Skyline Was Driven Home.

Of course shortly after the engine bay had to go purple to suit.

Is it over?

So, is this the end of the chapter? Absolutely not. In fact, the owner is clear there’s still plenty left to be done, and the end isn’t even in sight. With ambitious plans lined up for 2026, including a full forward-facing plenum and a top mount turbo setup, this build is far from finished. It’s simply evolving.

To summarise, I’ve been lucky enough to experience this car in person, and it truly is a show-stopper. Nothing has been rushed, nothing overlooked. It’s exactly the kind of machine you dream about growing up. I’ve even had the privilege of being a passenger, and just like its presence, it attracts attention everywhere it goes photographs, looks, and admiration at every stop.

This car is a genuine gem, and a true credit to the dedication, vision, and hard work the owner has poured into it.
Owners Instagram: @danmace_94

Its a signed and sealed:

10/10 Hikari Rating

Setting the standard for future write ups.