The Nissan Skyline, an iconic cabbie to say the least, is one that has gone through many evolutions since it first came out way back in 1957.
Of course, the GT-R that first appeared in 1969 and that has grown into one of the most desirable cars around, has stolen much of the limelight, but the more pedestrian variants have always had much to offer.
This week Bobby Nitro caught up with one of the old faithfuls, one that was around when the hype was getting going, a 1986 model Nissan Skyline 2.8 GTX.
Owned by Adrian Abrams, this Nissan is as clean as a new pin. Adrian, 45, who is a motorcycle mechanic by trade, tells Bobby the story of how he got this car from sitting in the yard to fully restored condition.
PROJECT: The Skyline was stripped down, inside and outside, and then rebuilt. Photo: Ryan May
He says: “I’ve always loved the brand. I used to have the SSS Datsun and this is my third Skyline. When I picked up this car for R27k, I knew that it was going to be a full rebuild. Little did I know it would take me two-and-a-half years, I thought I would never get finished.”
What he means is that he took the whole thing apart, inside and out, and put it back together again after restoring each and every part. Thorough job done all in all.
Adrian says: “I restored the whole car, stripped it down to a shell, even the wiring came out, and in the rebuild tried to keep it original, except for putting a rim on it. When it came to the interior, I had fabric from another Skyline as well so I could choose the best.”
Now many people nowadays can be put off by the boxy looks and straight angles, but that’s what makes this vehicle so thoroughly ’80s.
A WORK OF ART: The angular exterior that makes this gem look so 1980s. Photo: Ryan May
The engine received a branch exhaust manifold, slight cam and an induction system. “Nothing heavy,” in Adrian’s words, “it’s pretty much stock standard.”
Asked what he appreciates most about the Skyline, Adrian replies: “It would have to be the sound, that straight six V6 purring through a nice exhaust. Plus the fact that the Nissan was an advanced car for its time, it had all the gadgets.”
APPRECIATED: Adrian loves that straight six V6 purring through a nice exhaust. Photo: Ryan May
That said, Adrian does have plans, chief among which is to install a V8 powerplant, possibly from a Nissan Patrol. “I’m busy getting the stuff needed together,” he says, “because when I start I want to be able to complete the job.”
Adrian comes across as an organised kind of guy. One who, when he takes on a job, likes to get it done properly. Bobby got the distinct impression that this was not his first rodeo, as they say. He says: “One thing I cannot abide by, is oil leaks.”
One would expect that this work ethic is rubbing off on Jayden, Adrian’s 10-year-old son, whom he describes as being his “right-hand man and also totally into cars”.
PASSION: Adrian Abrams and son, Jayden, 10. Photo: Ryan May
With a classic like this, it’s no wonder Adrian gets admirers.
He says: “There was this one guy who was literally screaming his lungs out at the sight of my daily drive! What gets annoying, though, is that every other day I get people wanting to buy my car. That gets a bit much, especially considering I’m a person who likes to keep to myself.”
Adrian, who lost the bottom part of his leg in a bike accident 15 years ago, says he like to tell his friends: “One day I’ll roll in a R32 Skyline GTR, when I’m big, or I’ve grown my leg back!”