Paul Walker’s name is inseparable from the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, but the phrase “Paul Walker’s R34” hides three different stories. The silver Skyline in 2 Fast 2 Furious belonged to Craig Lieberman, Walker owned two separate R34s away from the cameras, and the Bayside Blue car from Fast & Furious survived the film before selling for $1.357 million in 2023.
There was not one single Paul Walker R34
Walker drove several R34 Skylines during his career, both on screen and in private life. Because he played Brian O’Conner and drove the cars in the films, ownership is often incorrectly attributed to him.
The cars are best separated into three groups:
| Car | Connection to Walker | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Silver-and-blue R34 from 2 Fast 2 Furious | Walker drove it in the film | Owned by technical adviser Craig Lieberman; additional R34s were used for production |
| 1999 Sonic Silver R34 V-Spec | Walker’s personal car | Later sold to a buyer in Hawaii and subsequently modified |
| 2001 white R34 V-Spec II | Walker’s personal replacement | Acquired after he replaced the silver car |
| 2000 Bayside Blue R34 from Fast & Furious | Built to Walker’s and the film’s specifications | Survived the movie and sold at Bonhams in 2023 |
The silver R34 in 2 Fast 2 Furious
The silver-and-blue Skyline featured in the opening scenes of 2 Fast 2 Furious, released in 2003, was a genuine R34 GT-R. It was not a replica and it was not owned by Paul Walker.
The car belonged to Craig Lieberman, who served as a technical adviser on the franchise. Lieberman bought it from MotoRex in July 2001 for $78,000. It was reportedly the first R34 GT-R imported and fully federalized by MotoRex for the U.S. market at that point.
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- Tamiya Nissan Skyline
- GT-R R34 V-Spec Model Set
- Scale 1:24
- Plastic model kit
Production applied the recognizable blue graphics and other film-specific changes. Walker drove Lieberman’s car on camera, which is likely the main reason later descriptions turned it into “Paul Walker’s R34.” In reality, Walker was the actor using the car, not its owner.
The movie did not rely on only one Skyline. Lieberman’s car served as the principal hero vehicle, while four additional R34 GT-Rs were air-freighted from Japan for stunt and production work. As with many car-heavy action films, different vehicles could be assigned to dialogue, driving, close-up, and harder-use scenes.
Why the ownership confusion persists
The car had all the ingredients for a misleading shortcut: Walker drove it, it became identified with Brian O’Conner, and it was one of the most memorable cars in the film. But the documented ownership points to Lieberman. Neither of Walker’s personal R34s was the silver hero car from 2 Fast 2 Furious.
Paul Walker’s actual personal R34s
Walker’s interest in Japanese performance cars reportedly began after he saw a Skyline at Universal Studios. He later visited MotoRex with Lieberman and initially used an R34 known as “Blackbird” as a loaner.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →He eventually bought a 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec in Sonic Silver. According to Lieberman’s account, it was one of only 14 R34s MotoRex had federalized. This was Walker’s own car, but it was separate from the movie hero car.
Walker later replaced the silver R34 with a 2001 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II in white. The change was reportedly prompted by paint problems where the metal body panels met the plastic components on the silver car. The original silver car was sold to a buyer in Hawaii.
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- Plastic model kit-assembly required
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- Manufacturer item #: 24258
What happened to the silver personal car?
The former personal car did not remain factory-standard. It later received substantial modifications, including a VeilSide body kit, Advan wheels, an HKS intercooler, suspension work, and a dry-carbon hood.
Toprank offered the car for sale in California in 2020. Craig Lieberman estimated its value at roughly $400,000 at the time. Its later modifications and association with Walker made it valuable independently of the Skyline used in the first film.
The Bayside Blue R34 in Fast & Furious
A different R34 appeared in the fourth film, officially titled Fast & Furious, which was released in 2009. This car was a 2000 Nissan Skyline GT-R finished in Nissan’s Bayside Blue.
It served as Brian O’Conner’s hero Skyline and was built specifically for the production. Kaizo Industries imported the car from Japan without an engine, sourced an RB26DETT, and modified the vehicle to specifications associated with Walker and the film.
Reported equipment included:
- Turbonetics front-mounted intercooler
- NISMO lowering springs
- Volk Racing wheels
- Upgraded brakes
- A roll cage and rear-seat delete
- A custom head-up display
- A revised hood and exhaust system
- Engine modifications producing approximately 550 horsepower
This car was not simply Walker’s private R34 brought onto the set. It was a film-built hero car configured for the character and production. Available reporting does not establish that Walker added it to his personal collection.
The real GT-R was not destroyed
One of the most repeated errors about the car concerns the ending of the 2009 movie. The R34 shown exploding was a stunt double, not the genuine Bayside Blue GT-R.
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- Licensed product from Fast & Furious
- ICONIC BRANDING: Attention to detail and expert styling enhances this 2002 Nissan Skyline R-34 vehicle
- Detailed interior, engine compartments and chassis
- Quality heavy diecast metal body with highly detailed wheels and chrome accents
- Suitable for ages 8+
The authentic car was the only genuine R34 GT-R among the principal Skylines used for the film. Lesser Skyline GT-T models were dressed to resemble GT-Rs for action and destruction sequences. The real GT-R was reserved mainly for hero shots and non-destructive driving scenes.
That production decision is why the car could later appear at auction. The Skyline associated with the film survived the scene that appears to destroy it.
The car’s import and legal history
The 2000 Bayside Blue R34 was reportedly first registered in Nevada in 2007 as a “Kai” or Kaizo vehicle. U.S. authorities later impounded it, and its legal situation was resolved sufficiently for the car to be released and exported to Germany in 2012.
It was displayed at Munich Motorworld and was not registered for ordinary road use in Europe before the 2023 auction. This history matters because an R34’s movie provenance does not automatically make it legal for unrestricted road use in every country.
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The frequently repeated claim that R34 Skylines “became legal in the U.S. in 2024” is too simplistic. Under current National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules, a non-U.S.-specification vehicle may generally be imported permanently once it is at least 25 years old, with the period calculated from the vehicle’s manufacture date. Import paperwork is still required, and state registration rules are a separate issue. Buyers should check the vehicle’s exact build date, import status, title documents, and state requirements rather than relying on the model year alone.
The 2023 Bonhams auction
Bonhams offered the Bayside Blue R34 in an online Brussels auction running from April 28 through May 5, 2023. It sold for $1,357,000 including the buyer’s premium, or approximately $1.18 million before fees.
Rank #4
- Plastic Model Kit-Assembly Required
- Glue and Paint sold separately
The result was reported as a world auction record for a Nissan Skyline GT-R at the time. The buyer was described publicly only as a private collector. There is no reliable public evidence identifying that collector or confirming a later resale.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Five claims that should be avoided
- “Paul Walker owned the silver R34 from 2 Fast 2 Furious.” The documented owner was Craig Lieberman.
- “Only one R34 was used in 2 Fast 2 Furious.” Lieberman’s hero car was joined by additional R34s for production and stunt work.
- “The Bayside Blue R34 was Walker’s personal car.” It was built for the 2009 film; reporting does not establish it as part of Walker’s private collection.
- “The authentic GT-R was blown up.” A stunt double handled the destruction sequence.
- “Walker owned only one R34.” Accounts from Lieberman describe at least two personal cars: the 1999 Sonic Silver V-Spec and the later 2001 white V-Spec II.
Sources and further reading
The ownership and production history is based primarily on accounts reported by Motor Authority and The Drive. The 2009 film car’s specifications and auction history were reported by Road & Track and Hemmings. Import requirements can change, so prospective owners should verify current guidance with NHTSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
FAQ
Did Paul Walker own the R34 from 2 Fast 2 Furious?
No. The silver-and-blue hero R34 belonged to Craig Lieberman, the film franchise’s technical adviser. Walker drove it on screen, but it was not his personal car.
How many R34 Skylines did Paul Walker own?
The best-supported account identifies at least two: a 1999 Sonic Silver R34 V-Spec and a 2001 white R34 V-Spec II. The silver car was later sold to a buyer in Hawaii.
Was the Bayside Blue R34 destroyed in Fast & Furious?
No. The genuine 2000 R34 GT-R was used for hero and non-destructive shots. A GT-T-based stunt double was used for the explosion and other dangerous action scenes.
How much did the Fast & Furious R34 sell for?
Bonhams sold the 2000 Bayside Blue R34 in May 2023 for $1,357,000 including the buyer’s premium, approximately $1.18 million before fees.
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Paul Walker was closely associated with several R34 Skylines, but they were not the same car. Craig Lieberman owned the silver hero R34 from 2 Fast 2 Furious; Walker’s personal cars were a separate 1999 Sonic Silver V-Spec and 2001 white V-Spec II; and the Bayside Blue R34 from Fast & Furious was a film-built GT-R that survived its on-screen destruction and sold for $1.357 million in 2023.
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