Paul Walker's R34 Skyline GT-R Sells for Record $1.357 Million at Auction

The Fast and Furious franchise has been a cultural phenomenon for years, and the cars featured in the movies have become almost as famous as the actors. So it's no surprise that when Paul Walker's R34 Skyline GT-R was recently auctioned off, it fetched a whopping $1.357 million, a record for a publicly sold Skyline model.

The R34 is one of the rarest and most desirable generations of modern GT-Rs, and the fact that it was painted in the iconic Bayside Blue and driven by the beloved enthusiast star in the movie only adds to its value. This particular car was modified by Kaizo Racing and done up to Walker's exacting specifications.

While it's not definitively the most expensive Skyline ever sold, it's certainly up there, and the Paul Walker/Fast & Furious connection ensures that it will always be among the most desirable of the breed. It's not the most interesting Skyline on its own, but its cultural significance and association with the movie franchise make it a highly sought-after collector's item.

The $1.357 million price tag also highlights just how far modern classics have come in terms of value. While it's not the most expensive Japanese car of all time (that title goes to a Shelby-prepped Toyota 2000GT race car that sold for $2.53 million at auction last year), it's still an impressive figure for a car that was originally intended to be federalized in the US.

Overall, the sale of Paul Walker's R34 Skyline GT-R is a testament to the enduring popularity and cultural significance of the Fast and Furious franchise, as well as the growing value of modern classic cars.

Sources: R&T, Bonhams