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The Rarest Nissan GT-R Ever Built

 

When people think of the Nissan GT-R, they usually picture the modern R35 or the legendary R32 "Godzilla." But the rarest production GT-R is actually the 1973 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R (KPGC110), affectionately known as the Kenmeri GT-R.

 

Only 197 examples were ever built, making it one of the most sought-after Japanese collector cars in existence. The nickname "Kenmeri" comes from Nissan's famous advertising campaign featuring a young couple named Ken and Mary, whose popularity became forever linked to the C110 Skyline.

 

The Kenmeri GT-R was powered by Nissan's legendary 2.0-liter S20 DOHC inline-six, producing 160 PS (158 horsepower) and paired with a five-speed manual transmission. It inherited much of its engineering from the championship-winning Hakosuka GT-R.

 

Unfortunately, its production lasted only about four months in 1973. Stricter emissions regulations and the global oil crisis quickly ended demand for high-performance sports cars, leading Nissan to discontinue the GT-R line entirely. It would be another 16 years before the GT-R returned with the famous R32 in 1989.

 

Today, the Kenmeri GT-R is considered the crown jewel of Nissan collectors. Authentic examples regularly sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and well-preserved cars are exceptionally rare. For many enthusiasts, the 1973 Kenmeri GT-R represents the missing link between the original Skyline GT-Rs and the modern performance icon we know today.