Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2026 - Competition Cars on Saturday the 21st of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. Offered here at Race Retro 2026 is the original Schulze Motorsport Nissan GT-R #71 – the very first R35 GT-R to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2011, winning its class on debut with Gran Turismo creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, behind the wheel. With input from four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who was enlisted to test the car privately (documented by exclusive photographs from the Schulze Motorsport archive showing Vettel in the cockpit alongside the original FIA homologation sticker on the roll cage, which remains in precisely the same position today), it was a pivotal pioneer for the later official GT3 models. It was progressively upgraded to near-GT3 specification from 2013 and fully rebuilt in 2016 with a new NISMO GT3 engine including GT3 turbochargers and GT3 exhaust system (less than 2, 000 miles since installation), high-quality KW custom suspension, Brembo brakes and 18-inch NISMO centre-lock magnesium wheels.
After the 2011 success, the car remained with Schulze Motorsport and was continuously developed in close collaboration with NISMO and Polyphony Digital (Kazunori Yamauchi) to adapt to evolving racing conditions and increased performance and from 2013 was finished in the iconic Schulze Motorsport dark blue livery that has since become the team’s trademark. Although not an official works car, this vehicle was a crucial pioneer for the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 version homologated from 2012/ 2013. The sensational class win on debut in 2011 proved the immense potential and reliability of the R35 on the Nordschleife and provided valuable insights that fed directly into the development of the official GT3 model. We are informed that during its racing career it sustained only minor damage (inevitable in endurance racing) but nothing structural or serious – the chassis remained straight and intact which has been confirmed by Schulze Motorsport.
It's accompanied by a comprehensive setup folder, DMSB vehicle pass and valuable accessories including 3 sets of spare NISMO magnesium wheels, air bottle and connector for the fitted air jack system, and a 1, 500 Nm impact wrench for centre-locks.
In summary, this is a unique opportunity to secure an iconic modern classic racing car that will appeal to current racers and enthusiast collectors alike and represents a timestamp in history when digital meets physical in the highly competitive endurance racing arena. We have a detailed specification available on request, and we urge you to visit our stand at Race Retro to view this remarkable race car in the metal.
Photography by @jasoncars11
