I had sold my R33 GTS-t with the specific intentions of buying a GTR. It had to be an R32 and it had to have modified suspension, exhaust and ideally be at stage one (around 380bhp).

I'd done my homework. I'd read every feature I could find; spent days on gtr.co.uk and similar sites asking typical newbie questions that were readily answered by those in the know and I had even bought the DVD. My quest for knowledge regarding the R32 was relentless. So why did this all go out of the window and I bought the very first GTR I saw?

I remember the moment when I first saw '991' on the website. I blame the combination of the right colour, the right wheels and the right key points of specification for my child-like stupor in the moments that followed.

In my eyes the car struck all the right notes and preliminary negotiations were downright laughable. I have owned and run my businesses for years so I understand all about buying a car, but I collapsed like a pack of playing cards. He told me what he wanted and I said I'd take it before I'd even seen it in the flesh!

A good friend of mine drove me down to Walthamstow in his 450bhp GTR … the anticipation of seeing the car for the first time was torture. My mind wandered back to that advert on the forum and I was a dribbling wreck by the time we arrived.

The car was unceremoniously bumped up on the kerb, parked like all the other cars and yet it looked so incongruous. My plans of remaining objective about this car were sliding fast. It was a most unusual experience as I felt any questions I would ask the owner were pointless. I was going to buy the car regardless of his answers.

The normal round of cursory examinations followed by lots of oohs and aahs as Dan and I noted the parts on my mental checklist … HKS pulleys=check, Kakimoto exhaust=check. I did notice a few issues like the kerbed wheels and the slight tear in the driver's seat bolster but I couldn't wait any longer, I had to hear it and better yet drive it.

The owner had warned me of the volume of the exhaust and I had to admit, it was a little shocking at first. The noise can only be described as monstrous! To this day I have never experienced anything quite like it, even at tickover you can feel the car; a true Godzilla! The way it rocks gently on its springs reminds me of an old school American muscle car … sorry I digress.

He gestured that I should drive, I politely declined and Dan instinctively jumped into his own GTR to follow, keeping an eye on 'my' GTR and any tell tale signs of doom from the exhaust.

We left the busy side street for what ranks as the scariest test drive of my life. 20 minutes later my mind was numb. I couldn't tell you what the car drove like, how the gearbox snicked home or even how well the GTR performed. I was frankly terrified by this lunatic sitting by my side as he piloted the car through traffic at obscene speeds. Dan had long since thrown in the towel attempting to act as witness to the health of the car … he simply wasn't prepared to risk life, license and limb keeping up with this fool.

Suffice to say, objectivity went out of the window when Dan confirmed my semblance of thoughts when he said 'That's a missile mate'.

I shook hands with the owner and we trundled home. I remember two things on that virgin drive back. The first was the vicious tramlining on the A11, the first indications that perhaps '991' needed a professional check up, the second moment was more pleasant. We approached the Snetterton racetrack, or to be specific the slip road from the circuit, where a rosso red Ferrari 308 was making its way down towards the carriageway. Dan and I exchanged glances. I'm sure all three drivers were waiting for the other to throw down the gauntlet, but the opportunity passed without event. I remember thinking there was no point in goading him into action, he would have been despatched! Then it really dawned on me. I owned an R32 GTR.

The car was booked in to Ron at RK Tuning for its health check. Ron is well known as being one of the top tuners for the R32 and I felt confident in his opinion. The following check-up was like one of those moments in the movies when the hero of the film is told the stark, horrifying truth.

Apparently I had missed a few points of interest with the car and in my enthusiasm had nearly bought a pup. Once the bad news was swallowed (running too much boost, incorrect turbos and bodged front suspension were the highlights) Ron explained that the money I had paid was realistic and that with a little time and investment I would be back on track.

That's where the other costs above come in. I have replaced all the bushes for the front end of the car and was lucky enough to track down some Bridgestone S-01 tyres. It's obvious that better tyres would help but I couldn't believe how much difference they have made. The car is so much cleaner in its turn in and far more progressive when the rear steps out.

I have already enjoyed days at Santa Pod where my lack of mechanical sympathy (or should that be talent?) was evident. I have driven the R32 on trackdays at Snetterton and Cadwell Park where the handling was absolutely sublime. Times like that make the trade-off of hard suspension all the more worthwhile.

I have uprated the front brakes and also fitted a Skylab torque controller, which allows me to dial up a chosen amount of torque to the front wheels. The intelligent four wheel drive of the Skyline was always a little braver than I was, so this new found control gives me a little helping hand in the dry and a massive shove in the back in the wet.

I view this car as a hobby as much as a means of getting from A to B and as such the modifications will be plentiful. I have adopted the mantra of 'when it breaks, upgrade it' as shared by many it would seem.

The joys of this 12-year-old Datsun are lost on some of my friends who cannot see past the old registration plate and the 1980's interior. Those invited to sample the performance on passenger trips soon change their minds and ditch any age related prejudice. The way the engine continues to pull at higher revs always impresses and the balanced package of grip and grunt make the R32 the single most satisfying car I've owned.

I use the car regularly and I like to think I am a sympathetic owner. Habitually allowing the oil to warm and cool properly is obvious with a turbocharged car; beyond that the Skyline is no prima donna. I will be visiting the Nürburgring with some friends in September and have several trips to the workshops of Gareth at ATF Power in between now and then, just in case I can find anything else that needs improving! The ex-touring car racer has assured me that he will apply his track experience to my weapon of choice and I cannot wait for the next tweak…

Photos: Chris Harris and Snetterton Race Circuit.