Have I ruined my Skyline?!

This week, things got real—really real. We’ve officially crossed the point of no return, where the Skyline can never be brought back to its original, 100% stock form. The first cut has been made on my R34 Skyline, and if you’ve ever taken on a build like this, you’ll understand how big of a moment that is. Even Peter my fabricator from 4BARFAB said, “I’m cutting this beautiful car apart; I don’t know if I can deal with it.” It’s that mix of excitement and hesitation that hits you hard when you realize there’s no going back.

 

 

The Moment of No Return

This episode is all about getting into the gritty side of the build—literally. The major work kicked off with cutting out the boot well to make space for a new fuel cell. It wasn’t an easy step, mentally. One moment you’re staring at the car you’ve poured years of work into, and the next moment, you’re slicing into it with a grinder.

It’s a surreal experience—exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. I couldn’t help but second-guess the decision. But, when you're aiming for world-class performance, you have to be prepared to make bold moves.

 

Setbacks and Hurdles

Now, if there’s one thing this build has taught me so far, it’s that nothing ever goes 100% to plan. After that initial cut, we hit a snag—as parts hadn't yet arrived. Classic, right?

What was supposed to be a seamless transition into installing the fuel cell became a waiting game. But this is part of the process. The delays are frustrating, but I’m learning to take them in stride and work around them. (I will touch more on this in Epsiode 3).

Peter cutting out rear beaver panel

                                                      Aftermath of all cutting in the rear

 

Following that, another setback that was faced was having to move house.

It wasn’t just a logistical challenge; I had to put the Skyline back together enough to get it moved, which took valuable time and energy away from the build. After the move, the reality of how long the car has been apart really hit me.

Skyline almost ready for transport

Locating parts and figuring out where everything needed to go back became a frustrating task. It’s easy to lose track of small pieces and tools when a project drags on this long. This added an extra layer of complexity to an already tough process, but it's all part of the journey.

Me trying to workout how I'm going to move it in postion

Instead of stalling out completely, I pivoted. With the fuel cell on hold, I shifted focus to the bodywork—cutting into the rear quarters to fit the GTR rear over fenders. I know, more cutting.

It was a big moment seeing those factory quarters being chopped, but again, it’s all about the bigger picture. There’s a vision here, and sacrifices have to be made to bring that vision to life.

 

Overcoming Doubts

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have moments of doubt during this episode. The idea of cutting into an iconic car like the R34 plays on your mind. You start to question whether you’re pushing things too far. What if it doesn’t turn out as planned? What if the modifications take away from the car’s character or, worse, its performance? But at the end of the day, chasing something great means getting uncomfortable and taking risks.

 

The Road Ahead

This episode was about breaking through that initial hesitation and accepting that the journey to build a time attack monster isn’t a straight line. There are hurdles and setbacks, and we’ve got plenty of both ahead. But that’s what makes this journey worth it. We’ve laid the groundwork for some exciting future developments, and with every cut, we’re one step closer to seeing this build come to life.

Final Thoughts

Episode 2 represents a significant turning point in the Project Precision series. We’re no longer just talking about ideas or planning—we’re doing it. This build is happening, and from here on out, it’s full throttle. Thanks for being part of the journey so far, and trust me, the best is yet to come.

See you in episode 3!