Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign Heads To Auction With A Price Tag Close To $1 Million
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Only 19 Nissan GT-R50s Were Ever Built
The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign was one of those cars that looked too wild to ever reach production. When Nissan and Italdesign first revealed it in 2018, many enthusiasts expected it to remain a show car. Surprisingly, it entered limited production, and now one of the rare examples is heading to auction in Japan.
What makes this story even more interesting is the rarity. Nissan originally planned to build 50 examples worldwide, but production ended much earlier than expected. Reports suggest that only 19 cars were actually completed, making the GT-R50 one of the rarest modern Nissan models ever produced.
Why The GT-R50 Was Created
The GT-R50 celebrated two important anniversaries:
- 50 years of the Nissan GT-R
- 50 years of Italdesign
The project combined Nissan’s performance engineering with Italdesign’s dramatic styling. The result was a GT-R that looked completely different from the standard R35 while retaining its legendary performance DNA.
A GT-R Unlike Any Other
Although the GT-R50 shares its basic platform and powertrain with the GT-R Nismo, the exterior received major changes.
Key design highlights include:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Roofline | Lower than standard GT-R |
| Body Panels | Almost entirely redesigned |
| Carbon Fiber | Blue-tinted exposed carbon finish |
| Proportions | Reworked for a more exotic appearance |
| Wheels | 21-inch carbon wheels |
The GT-R50 looks far more exotic than the standard GT-R and has a presence that rivals many supercars.
710 HP From A Tuned Twin Turbo V6
The upgrades were not limited to the styling.
Nismo engineers enhanced the familiar 3.8 litre twin turbocharged V6 engine to produce 710 hp. The increase came through several performance upgrades, including:
- GT3 derived turbochargers
- Larger intercooler
- Drivetrain improvements
- Reinforced transmission components
- Bespoke Bilstein suspension setup
Nissan GT-R50 Specifications
| Specification | Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 |
| Power | 710 hp |
| Suspension | Bespoke Bilstein setup |
| Wheels | 21-inch carbon wheels |
| Production Planned | 50 units |
| Production Completed | 19 units |
This Example Has Only 137 Miles
Collector cars are all about condition, and this GT-R50 checks most of the important boxes.
According to the auction listing, the car has covered only 137 miles (221 km) from new. It also remains unregistered and appears to be in factory fresh condition.
That low mileage makes it especially attractive to collectors looking for a near untouched example.
Auction Estimate Reaches Supercar Territory
The Japanese auction house Bingo expects the car to sell for between:
- ¥145 million
- ¥155 million
That translates to approximately:
- $902,000
- $965,000
For comparison, a standard GT-R Nismo offered incredible performance at a fraction of the price when new. That makes the GT-R50 a fascinating case where rarity and exclusivity matter more than outright performance value.
Is The GT-R50 Worth Nearly $1 Million?
That depends on how much value you place on rarity.
Only 19 examples exist, which means the GT-R50 is rarer than many limited edition Ferraris and other collectible supercars. On the other hand, buyers are still paying nearly a million dollars for a car based on the R35 GT-R platform.
One thing is certain. You probably won’t see another GT-R50 at your local cars and coffee event.
Final Thoughts
The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign remains one of the most unusual and exclusive chapters in GT-R history. It combines the performance of the GT-R Nismo with a completely reimagined design and an extremely limited production run.
With only 19 examples built and this particular car showing just 137 miles, it is easy to see why collectors are paying attention. Whether it ultimately sells for close to $1 million remains to be seen, but its rarity alone makes it one of the most desirable modern Nissan models ever created.
Sources and References
Official Sources
- Nissan Global Official Website
Official Nissan corporate website with GT-R history, company news, and global vehicle information. - Nissan Global Newsroom
Official Nissan press releases, media assets, and product announcements. - Nissan Model Lineup Global
Official Nissan model information and global vehicle references.
Automotive News & References
- Carscoops
Automotive news source that originally reported on the GT-R50 auction story. - Italdesign Official Website
Official website of Italdesign, the company that co-developed the GT-R50. - Bingo Sports Auction Japan
Japanese auction house handling rare collector and performance vehicle sales.
Additional Trusted Automotive Publications
- Motor1
Global automotive news, reviews, and industry coverage. - Road & Track
US-based performance car and motorsport publication. - Car and Driver
One of the most trusted automotive publications in North America. - Top Gear
Popular automotive news and performance car coverage.
