CMST Nissan GT-R R35 Widebody Build Case Study
This build takes an early Nissan GT-R R35 and converts it with the CMST widebody kit, updating the older car toward the 17-style look while fitting a transparent carbon bonnet, carbon and FRP aero panels, and two-piece forged wheels. The donor is a pre-facelift R35 (2008–2016); the CMST programme adds riveted widebody fenders and arches, a front lip, side skirts, a rear bumper, rear lip and rear wing, with most pieces offered in either dry carbon fibre or FRP. The finished car keeps the GT-R's muscular proportions but gains a wider, lower, more purposeful stance.
- Vehicle: Nissan GT-R R35 (pre-facelift, 2008–2016 donor)
- Conversion: CMST widebody kit, updated toward the 17-style front and rear
- Materials: Dry carbon fibre and FRP (most panels offered in both)
- Key pieces: Front lip, FRP front bumper, transparent carbon bonnet, side skirts, front and rear FRP arches, FRP rear bumper, rear lip, rear wing
- Wheels: Two-piece forged
The brief: modernise an early R35
The R35 GT-R has aged remarkably well, but the earliest 2008–2009 cars wear the original front and rear styling. A popular path for owners of early cars is to update the look toward the later facelift while adding width and aggression — and that is exactly what this build does. CMST developed a conversion that brings an early GT-R's appearance in line with the 17-style face and tail, then wraps the car in a widebody for genuine presence. The full programme for this platform is listed in the Nissan GT-R R35 Body Kit collection.
The widebody: width with restraint
CMST's widebody draws on the well-known riveted-arch widebody aesthetic but applies its own surface treatment — careful edge sculpting and detail refinement that gives the car a distinctive character rather than a copy of any single style. The simple, smooth panel lines reinforce the GT-R's inherent muscularity, and the exposed-rivet widebody arches give the car an aggressive, motorsport-derived look. Matched side skirts pull the whole profile lower for a more planted stance. The arches and skirts are available individually in the CMST fenders for Nissan and CMST side skirts for Nissan collections.
The transparent carbon bonnet
The standout piece on this car is the vented carbon bonnet with a transparent reinforced window over the engine bay — a feature that shows off the GT-R's hand-built twin-turbo V6 beneath. Beyond the obvious visual drama, the carbon bonnet is far lighter than the steel original and removes weight from high over the front axle, where it most benefits handling and weight transfer. The venting also helps release heat from the engine bay. Browse bonnet options in the CMST hood for Nissan collection.
The front: 17-style face with a carbon lip
The nose follows the 17-style front bumper, so the early car gains the cleaner, more modern face of the later GT-R. Rather than over-styling it, the build simply adds a carbon front lip that extends the bumper slightly outward for a more imposing presence and, at speed, a measure of added front downforce. The lip is the kind of single upgrade that sharpens the whole front end, and it is available on its own in the CMST front lip for Nissan collection.
The rear: diffuser, lip and wing
The tail also follows the later design. The rear under-section is shaped with aerodynamics in mind: the diffuser fins help stabilise the rear at speed by ordering the air leaving the underbody, allowing it to exit cleanly and reducing the turbulence that creates lift and drag. A carbon rear lip and rear wing complete the look, and both are offered in carbon or FRP. Wing options are in the CMST wing for Nissan collection.
Two-piece forged wheels
The widebody arches are filled with two-piece forged wheels, which is the right choice for a build like this. Two-piece forged construction joins a forged centre to a separate rim barrel, so the wheel's width and offset can be tailored precisely to the new arch clearance — essential on a widebody where fitment defines the stance. Forged wheels are also typically lighter and stronger than cast equivalents, trimming unsprung mass for sharper handling on an already weighty car.
Carbon or FRP: how to spec this build
Most pieces in this conversion are offered in both materials, so owners can balance cost, weight and finish.
| Panel | Carbon fibre | FRP |
|---|---|---|
| Front lip, rear lip, wing, skirts | Lighter, exposed weave as a feature | Lower cost, paint to body colour |
| Bonnet | Transparent carbon window option, big weight saving | — |
| Bumpers, arches | Available for weight saving | Recommended — repairable and paint-matched |
This particular car runs a gloss-black scheme with the carbon bonnet left exposed for contrast — a clean, menacing combination. You can build the same way: paint the FRP bumpers and arches in your body colour and let the carbon bonnet, lip and wing show their weave. Compare options in the All Carbon Fibre Body Kit collection.
Build your own GT-R
This car shows what is possible when an early R35 is updated and widened with the CMST programme — modern face, transparent carbon bonnet, riveted widebody and forged wheels, all built on the foundation of one of the great performance cars. Because the kit is modular and offered in two materials, you can replicate the whole build or take it one stage at a time. Start with the Nissan GT-R R35 Body Kit collection or browse the wider Nissan Body Kit range to plan your spec.
Frequently asked questions
Can an early GT-R R35 be updated to the later 17-style look?
Yes. This build uses the CMST conversion to bring a pre-facelift (2008–2016) R35 toward the 17-style front and rear. It is a popular way to modernise an early car's appearance while adding widebody width.
Is the transparent carbon bonnet structural and road-usable?
The bonnet is a carbon panel with a reinforced transparent window over the engine bay. It is lighter than the steel original and vented to release engine heat. As with any aftermarket bonnet, it should be fitted with correct latches and aligned by an experienced installer, and you should confirm it meets your state's requirements.
Which pieces come in carbon versus FRP?
Most panels — the front lip, rear lip, side skirts, rear wing, bumpers and arches — are offered in either dry carbon fibre or FRP. The transparent-window bonnet is a carbon piece. Carbon saves weight and shows its weave; FRP is lower cost and easy to paint and repair.
Do I need forged wheels for the widebody?
The widebody arches are designed to accommodate a wider wheel-and-tyre package, so wider wheels are needed to fill them properly. Two-piece forged wheels are recommended because their width and offset can be tailored to the new arch clearance, and they reduce unsprung weight.
Will the widebody be roadworthy in Australia?
The arches are designed to cover the tyre, which is the key legal requirement, but compliance depends on your final wheel-and-tyre fitment and your state's guard-clearance and tyre-coverage rules. Have the car inspected after the conversion and choose an offset that keeps the tyre within the arch line.
Can I do the conversion in stages?
Yes. The kit is modular, so many owners start with the front lip, bonnet and wheels, then add the widebody arches, skirts and rear pieces later as budget allows.
Inspired to build your own R35? Explore the Nissan GT-R R35 Body Kit range at AME Motorsport, or contact our team to plan materials, wheels and a staged build.