Lawrence’s 1992 Nissan Skyline
What is your full name, what do you drive (year, make, model) ,where do you live in NYC.
Lawrence Quintana, Brooklyn, 1992 Nissan skyline.
Photo - Ohad Kab
What inspired you to buy a Nissan Skyline R32, and what drew you specifically to this model over other cars?
I have always had a love for JDM cars. They have always been popular in NY for example with Honda civics especially. The first time I have ever heard of a rare Japanese car was a type r where the steering wheel was on the other side. My interest grew from there, when I came across the skyline I knew that was it. I was 15 years old.
What modifications or customizations have you made to your Nissan Skyline R32, and why did you choose to make those changes?
I had an inherited idea because the car was a bit more complicated and far from together than I expected. I never even knew what a RB engine was since I came from Hondas. To be fair the previous owner also didn’t know I had inherited A RB25 Neo, only after several Haltech PNP orders was it confirmed. So there’s absolutely nothing stock in the car. I'm running a RB25 from a R34 GTT on a haltech elite 2000. The build list goes on forever but this is a very popular platform swap on 240SX.
Photo - Ohad Kab
How do you think your Nissan Skyline R32 reflects your personal style or identity, and what does it say about you as a person?
If I could paint a portrait from owning this car. It would scream the words "pssst," "whoosh," and "stututu." I wouldn’t disagree too much about that either to say about my personality.
Photo - Ohad Kab
How do you feel when you're driving your Nissan Skyline R32, and what emotions or sensations does it evoke for you?
It’s an emotional roller coaster. You never know what’s going to happen. You just do the work you can do on it turn the key and send it.
Can you talk about the community of Nissan Skyline R32 owners in Brooklyn or NYC, and what role you play in that community?
So I never saw a skyline in person until I got to see this one in person. Since then I have run out of fingers to count no two alike. Every skyline has been a unique experience and even after seeing one that feeling still happens every time you look at another one. Every skyline has their own journey here to the states and you can just only appreciate what history they have. I think my car has stood out because of how I have nothing preserved from a Heritage collectors point of view. This car is geared for a tuner audience. Everything has been replaced and it wasn’t put together to be pretty, it was put together to do what this car was intended to do.
Photo - Ohad Kab
How do you plan on maintaining and caring for your Nissan Skyline R32, and what steps do you take to keep it in top condition?
This has been a two year project with a list that has no ending. This car will be track ready coming next season. I have been pushing the car to find vulnerabilities and replace them with modern options that weren’t really available when this car was first introduced.
How has your R32 played a role in your personal relationships or social life, whether it's connecting with other car enthusiasts or simply sharing experiences with loved ones?
The car has not really impacted me any differently besides just giving VIP to most car events. I have always been very involved with the car community before I could even drive. It does seem surreal to see the skyline displayed at shows for me still. I always encourage people to sit down in it.
What other passions or hobbies do you have outside of vintage cars?
I ride motorcycles mainly these days. I had skateboarded for years and still snowboard here and there.
What is your dream garage?
My dream garage has floors you can eat off and you can see your reflection on the floor. So I can distract myself from a bad hair day and stare at cars.
Are there any car-related shops, garages, or dealerships in NYC that you would recommend to other car enthusiasts?
This car was possible by an array of shops and I curated from small mom and pop shops to veteran tuners. I did a lot of work before I took it to Tommy at Tutumo racing. I’m currently taming the car aesthetically with Vito @RHD_king
