Over the last few years we’ve seen classic Japanese cars start moving from cult favorites to rising stars in the global collector car scene. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Monterey Car Week, which has recently seen a significant rise in vintage Japanese action.
Toyota 2000GTs have started selling for over a million bucks each, classic Land Cruisers have been appreciating at an equally rapid rate. And last year saw the addition of a Hakosuka Skyline to the Rolex Historics, along with a genuine KPGC10 GT-R which was sold publicly at RM’s prestigious Monterey auction for $242,000.
This year another classic Skyline would be auctioned off at RM Monterey – a KPGC110 Kenmeri GT-R from 1973. Prior to the car’s auction time on Saturday night, I went in for a closer look at this rare JDM performance car.
Rather than being a fully restored specimen, this GT-R sits in original, well-maintained condition. During its time in Japan it went through a couple of overhauls by well respected GT-R specialists, and in total has just 23,000 kilometers on its odometer.
As you’d expect from a time capsule like this, the Kenmeri has remained as close to showroom spec as possible. Rather than the wide wheels you expect to see on a modified Skyline, this GT-R still wears its factory-fitted steel wheels with narrow tires.
While it wasn’t in perfect condition, the Skyline was a great example of a rare and iconic Japanese machine that has also become quite well known overseas. It would be interesting to see what the car would end up selling for as it went to auction among a group of multi-million dollar Ferraris and other exotics that RM had on offer this year.
When the hammer finally dropped on Saturday evening, the Kenmeri sold for a total of $176,000. That’s not as much as the Hakosuka which sold last year, but an impressive sum nonetheless.
While that number might sound high if you picture the car as a glorified Datsun from the 1970s, it also sounds like a reasonable sum given the GT-R’s legendary reputation and the fact that only 197 examples of the KPGC110 were built – with even fewer remaining today. And when compared to the cars selling for several million dollars, it actually felt like bargain.
Regardless of what you think about old Skylines hitting the big time, it’s pretty clear that we’ll only be seeing more vintage Japanese machinery taking center stage in Monterey in the coming years. What will be the next historic JDM vehicle to cross the block?
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia_media
mike@speedhunters.com
Additional photos courtesy of RM Auctions
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Not only are these cars ugly, but I can't believe it sold for that much with quite a few belmishes, not to mention that chip in the paint on one of the doors. Crazy!!! US Auctions are pushing values in a direction that's not really reflected worldwide.
Spaghetti i wouldn't say its ugly, maybe not your taste. And because we didn't get these in the states ofc the price will be significantly higher then places that were privileged enough to get them. And as always, awesome photography and write up Mike.
Like this comment if you only viewed the article to see why it was on steelies.
I would have pounced on that car if I had the money. This picture says enough
176 ever made... original GTR... survivor, not restored... unmolested... low mileage... I would have payed 176,001.00 if I had the dough...
Oh wait, and ugly? Have you seen a beautiful STI or Evo? Have you seen what people do to them and how they end up?
Come on, this is a rare classic...
*197 ever made... whatever...
I totally agree with Silverspoon. If I had the $ I would buy it for all the reasons he listed.
I totally agree with Silverspoon. If I had the $ I would buy it for all the reasons he listed.
NickWeidtman Of course that's just my taste, but in general I don't see much appealing about the looks of these compared to every other shape of GTR(it's the only one I'd call ugly). I think these look OK in non GTR form though with the stock rear guards. Where were these sold outside of Japan though....nowhere I wouldn't have thought.
@Silverspoon Looks are subjective I guess and these just don't appeal to me whatsoever(regardless of rarity/survivor etc, it doesn't make a car attractive(other than from an investment point of view)which is the wrong reason to like a car IMO). If I was going to spend that kind of cash on a classic, it'd be a Cosmo(unleash your comments about them being ugly
). I take no notice of Sti's or Evo's.....I'm not into modern cars that much.
@Silverspoon Looks are subjective I guess and these just don't appeal to me whatsoever(regardless of rarity/survivor etc, it doesn't make a car attractive(other than from an investment point of view)which is the wrong reason to like a car IMO). If I was going to spend that kind of cash on a classic, it'd be a Cosmo(unleash your comments about them being ugly
). I take no notice of Sti's or Evo's.....I'm not into modern cars that much.
I so would...........if I had coin.
Spaghetti NickWeidtman The GT-R was Japan only, however the cooking variety C110's were sold outside of Japan, usually fitted with an L24 and sold as Datsun 240K's.
Super sweet, I'd been wanting to see a bit more of this particular car. I think the buyer got a relatively decent deal on this.
They came close to selling the GT-R in Australia but for whatever reason didn't. Alas..
They came close to selling the GT-R in Australia but for whatever reason didn't. Alas..
They came close to selling the GT-R in Australia but for whatever reason didn't. Alas..
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Spaghetti In stock form, i agree these cars are rather ugly, like a Gremlin mated with a Chevelle. A drop and wheels do wonders for these cars, but unfortunately, you only get the real money for the stock/factory ones.
Spaghetti In stock form, i agree these cars are rather ugly, like a Gremlin mated with a Chevelle. A drop and wheels do wonders for these cars, but unfortunately, you only get the real money for the stock/factory ones.
Spaghetti You need to see these cars in person to fully appreciate their design and aesthetic look. I can tell you a GTR 'look' is quite nice when you see it in person. Very muscle car in design and feel and really a massive head turner. Been a huge fan of these since early 2000s. Wish I bought a few 240Ks and stored them away back then :).
They are impossible to find now and even rusty wrecks fetch silly money when the odd neglected barn find does come onto the market.
Looks wise I prefer the C10 over the C110. I can't look at a C110 and not think Mitsubishi Celeste: https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=mitsubishi+celeste&safe=off&rlz=1C1ASUC_enNZ564NZ564&espv=2&biw=1322&bih=1293&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI0rmCo7i-xwIVqB2mCh2HeQYg
Ugly!!! Ohh give me a brake guys, you have to see the car in person to appreciate it, and if your taste does not match the design it doesn't make it ugly by any means.. Sure I wouldn't pay $ 176 k for it, but goodness I would deffinately love to have it in my stable one day. Kenmeri is on my top 10 classics
Ugly!!! Ohh give me a brake guys, you have to see the car in person to appreciate it, and if your taste does not match the design it doesn't make it ugly by any means.. Sure I wouldn't pay $ 176 k for it, but goodness I would deffinately love to have it in my stable one day. Kenmeri is on my top 10 classics
SnoozinRichy Yeah it's hard to say considering none of these have been auctioned off before, but its a rare machine indeed.
Chris 'Haffy' Hafner As would I.
Spaghetti It's not a concours condition car, but a lot of the cars that sell for big bucks aren't actually.
the car was very good
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