As a relatively affordable supercar, the new Nissan GT-R has no equal. With a near cult-like following for the past fifteen years, there is a lot of interest in the latest version. Previous GT-R cars were not sold in North America but the 2009 will be, although in very limited numbers.

Follow along with us as we show you the steps involved in making a new die-cast model. We’ll be making a 1:24 scale GT-R for our Special Edition (showroom stock) and AllStars (modified) lines.

Last year we saw the spy photos on the web and we watched and waited for the official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. At the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, I shot some photos in anticipation of our making a model. In the first months of this year, we’ve been firming up our 2009 product choices.  r h b has been dealing with the manufacturer’s license agent to work out the business details of getting permission and with getting our company’s management approval. The project was greenlighted a few days ago so now it’s up to the product development department at the Maisto office in Fontana, California to get started.

We’ll be updating the progress on this project so you’ll be able to follow along.

April 9 and 10:  The license agent sent some photos by email and advised that she would be sending paint chips and CDs containing more photos. I received them and have gone through the photos, renaming them and editing out the ones with right-hand steering (ours will have left-hand steering). Nissan won’t be able to provide CAD files so our talented modelmakers will rely on photos to get all the curves and details right. For parts of the car that aren’t shown on the official photos, I’m scouring the internet to find the images that we’ll need.