It’s been a long, long road, from first announcements in February 2008 to here but the first Australian specification GT-R has been delivered to it’s new owner, Andrew Richmond, this morning at 12:01am, 1st April 2009 at the Ferntree Gully dealership in Victoria, Australia.

Andrew, has been a GT-R enthusiast and owner going back numerous years having participated in racing his R34 GT-R V-Spec at a club level. He also is a active participant in the Skylines Australia Victoria car club and was Victorian Club President for two years in a row. Some of the guys from the Skylines Australia club probably know him best as Snowy.

His reason for deciding that the new R35 was the car for him was simple;

“Experience dictates that the new GT-R was the best valued sports car on the planet”

Deliveries to other pre-order customers are being made as of this week y so it shouldn’t be too long before you start seeing the 2009 version of Godzilla on Australian roads.

Nissan Motors Australia is taking the new GT-R seriously and recognises the level of service that GT-R buyers expect. They’ve certified just 11 dealers Australia wide that must be specially prepared with equipment and staff training.

We’ll be checking back in with Andrew when he’s done a few k’s on Australian roads in his Australian R35 GT-R to see what his driving impressions are so check back soon…

Thanks to Nissan Motors Australia for the images.

Link: Nissan Australia GT-R Official Website
Link: Nissan Australia Certified Dealers

ANNOUNCING ‘GODZILLA’ 09 –
Unleashed at 12.01 am this morning.

The first official Australian Nissan GT-R super car was delivered at 12:01 a.m. today.

The record setting, 2009 Nissan GT-R, goes on sale today at eleven select GT-R Certified Nissan dealers across the country. Andrew Richmond is one of the first customers to order a GT-R R35 through a pre-sale program and he couldn’t wait for normal business hours to take possession of his new White Ivory Pearl Premium GT-R.

“This will be my second Nissan GT-R. I have been a huge fan of the GT-R since getting involved in club level motorsports. I chose a Nissan R34 GT-R V Spec as my motorsports
vehicle and have loved GT-R’s since,” said Andrew Richmond.

Mr Richmond, 34, employed as an Operations Manager of Austech Wire and Cable has a long history with the GT-R having established Skylines Australia – a Victorian car club and was appointed the inaugural Club President for two years in succession.

“Experience dictates that the new GT-R was the best valued sports car on the planet,” said
Mr Richmond

Through special arrangement with Ferntree Gully Nissan, Mr Richmond was handed the keys by Dealer Principal Craig Pearce moments after midnight. The GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan dealers that have met a number of strict sales, service commitments.

“Given the high performance and competition needs which many GT-R customers will require, it is essential that Nissan provides optimum care and attention via the GT-R high performance centers,” said Stephen Collins General Manager – Sales & Marketing, Nissan Australia.

Customer Experience Par Excellence
To reflect the premium nature of the new GT-R, Nissan Australia made the decision to create an exclusive network of GT-R specialists within its dealer network. There are just 11 GT-R dealers in Australia and each has undergone a special preparation program, setting aside specific work bays for the vehicles as well as training staff to be GT-R specialists.

Dealers maintaining the GT-R will keep nitrogen on hand to maintain tyre pressure. In some instances the access ramp to the dealership service bay needed modification to protect the front aerodynamics. The GT-R will follow a bespoke service program that comprises three separate elements.

The first is a special vehicle inspection after 2,000km (and annually thereafter) which Nissan will provide to GT-R owners at no charge for the first three years of the car’s life. This inspection service will comprise a check and adjustment to the wheel alignment all around
the vehicle, check the engine tuning and settings as well as transmission and clutch settings.

Regular servicing (the costs of which are borne by the owner) occurs at 10,000km or at six-month intervals (whichever comes first), and comprises the usual engine oil and filter changes and fluid checks etc.

Finally, for customers who take the opportunity to enjoy their car at a track day, Nissan GT-R dealers will be able to offer a post track day inspection service (the cost of which again is borne by the customer), which looks at suspension geometry, vital brake components and lubricant and fluid checks.

The GT-R network in Australia comprises dealers located at

• NSW: Campbelltown and Brookvale
• VIC: Ferntree Gully, Werribee
• SA: Nailsworth
• QLD: Moorooka, Southport, Mackay
• TAS: Hobart
• WA: Melville, Wangara