THIS kind of Skyline – not the cloudy or sunny kind. This sweet ride is a 1989 Nissan Skyline and is owned by Brian Velana. I knew approximately where to find the Skyline but as soon as I arrived I could hear people talking about it. It’s an unusual looking car – in that – it doesn’t have the same lines as it’s U.S. counterparts.
Owner, Brian Velana was spending a lot of time chatting with car enthusiasts but I managed to steal him away for a few minutes.
DNM: What kind of car is this?
Brian: 1989 Nissan Skyline
DNM: How many times have you been here at the Show ‘n shine?
Brian: This car’s been in it 3 times. I’ve been doing it for six years. So, a while.
DNM: What did you have before?
Brian: I’ve put my pick up in. I had a Civic one year and yeah, this is last three years. First two years I had my old Chevy truck; a ’99 Silverado. And I had a ’93 Civic. Then this one took over everything.
DNM: As I was standing here looking at your car I heard quite a few people come down and say “ooh a skyline.” What is it about this car that people like?
Brian: Well, essentially as far as imports go they never made a speck of these here. These are all imported out of Japan so, like, these are like the muscle car of Japan. The Japanese Ford Mustang if you wanna call it that. The Skylines and the Supras; they’ve always been the two top dogs in the industry.
DNM: How much work have you done on it?
Brian: Since I’ve owned it it’s just been ongoing, ongoing, ongoing. I do a little bit every year. That’s how it’s been.
DNM: Do you know off the top of your head how much money you put into it?
Brian: In just parts and what paint costs me – none of my labour; I built it all, right? With the purchase price of the car 30 grand, probably.
DNM: Is this one a keeper or do you move on from here?
Brian: I don’t know, it’s one of those things. If someone made me the right offer I may consider moving it but, at the same time, I have so many of my hours in it. It’s got a lot of sentimental value. If it ever did walk away; no one would ever take care of it the way I did. I’m sure it would get wrecked.
DNM: Do you drive it?
Brian: oh yeah, as much as I can. Work, obviously, doesn’t allow me to drive around luxuriously on paved roads all the time. Yeah, as much as I can. I definitely try to take it out on the weekends or evenings. I try not to have it just sit in the garage all the time, and I keep payin’ ICBC for insurance just in case I decide to drive it.
Now, I can never completely get to know a car without hearing it start-up. For those of you who like the sound of a good engine – check this video out.
Kinzie Things 