The R32 GT-R earned its nickname 'Godzilla' through its dominant performance in Australian motorsport, particularly at the Bathurst 1000 race.
The nickname ' Godzilla ' was given to the R32 GT-R by Wheels magazine in 1989, but the moniker originated in Australia. And as Nissan 's Australian division explained in a video, it was well-earned. This was long before the GT-R came to the U.S. as a dedicated model, rather than a derivative of the Skyline sedan. As a right-hand-drive market not far from Nissan 's home base of Japan, though, Australia got the R32—and it was a big deal.
Wheels magazine put the R32 on the cover of its July 1989 issue, calling it 'Nissan's new Godzilla' in reference to the Japanese movie monster, and the expected impact it would have on the performance car scene. A few years later, Nissan intended to race the R32, developing a version to meet the FIA's then-current Group A regulations for production-based cars. Output from the R32 was boosted from the road car's 276 hp to around 550 hp. Australia offered the perfect challenge. at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales as the marquis event. In 1991, the R32 GT-R became the championship), with GT-Rs finishing 1-2 in six of nine races, and on the podium in every race. Nissan won the Bathurst 1000 again in 1992 over the jeers and boos of Ford and Holden fans in a controversial finish determined by count back after the rain-soaked race was red-flagged. Rule changes effectively ended the R32's dominance, with its successor, the R33 GT-R, winning the championship in 1993. The R32 itself left production in 1994, to be succeeded by the R33 and R34 generations, and finally the R35 GT-R that enjoyed an improbably long production run. But the GT-R achieved what is arguably its greatest racing success—and found an everlasting nickname—with the R32 generation in the early 1990s
GT-R Godzilla Bathurst Nissan Motorsport
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
10 Cancelled Godzilla Spinoffs You Probably Didn’t Know ExistedMonsterverse Godzilla and classic Toho Godzilla from the 1970s
Read more »
The New Godzilla Movies Skipped This Perfect Matchup Twice, But The Monsterverse Can Fix ThatGodzilla roars in Godzilla x Kong the New Empire
Read more »
Godzilla Vs Marvel Joins Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 in 2025I presume this is this. See, Liam, it was Leinil Francis Yu. So, Marvel Comics is publishing a six-issue Godzilla Vs Marvel in 2025, over different time periods, beginning with a series of one-shots, beginning with the Fantastic Four set during the kinda-sixties. Yes, like the upcoming Fantastic Four movie appears to be.
Read more »
Hiya Toys Reveals LED Godzilla vs. Kong Heat Ray Godzilla Figure Hiya Toys is taking kaiju collecting to the next level with its newest addition to the Exquisite Basic+ Series. Coming to life from the MonsterVerse, a stunning new Godzilla is rising from the depths from Godzilla vs. Kong.
Read more »
Godzilla Team-Up Cancellation Offers Blueprint for Rodan's Return in MonsterverseWith Rodan left as a survivor in 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters,' speculation arose about his potential return in 'Godzilla vs. Kong' or 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.' As a Godzilla x Kong sequel is in the works, Rodan's second Monsterverse appearance remains a possibility, offering multiple narrative roles similar to an old Toho plan.
Read more »
Nissan preps electric R32 GT-R for Tokyo showNissan has been quietly working away on a battery-powered Godzilla - the reveal is next month...
Read more »