The Car That Started It All
Everything began back in 2011 when I bought my Nissan Skyline GTR R33 V-Spec. It already had the Nismo 400R body kit, which made it stand out — but one crucial element was missing: the LMGT1 wheels. Without them, it wasn’t a true 400R tribute car. Still, at the time, I didn’t mind too much — the car had a 600hp 2.8L HKS stroker engine, and that was more than enough excitement for me.
But as time went on, the absence of those iconic wheels started to bug me.
A Dream Tribute, OEM+ Style
My vision for the car was simple: a proper Nismo 400R tribute, but with subtle, tasteful upgrades — OEM+ style. The kind of modifications that only a true enthusiast would notice and appreciate.
As I kept scrolling through forums and photos online, I kept circling back to the LMGT1s. I loved the design, but there was one thing I couldn’t unsee: the original 18" wheels looked a bit small on the widebody R33, especially given its long wheelbase — the longest in the Skyline family.
That’s when it hit me: why not make my version of the LMGT1 — same design spirit, but reimagined in 19-inch form with specs tailored to my exact preferences?
Missed Chances and a New Plan
Unfortunately, by the time I was serious about this idea, LMGT1s had become unicorns. Prices were sky-high, and I definitely missed the boat in 2011 when they were still somewhat accessible. Let’s just say I’ve mentally kicked myself for that oversight more times than I can count.
Still, I didn’t give up.
After weeks of browsing forums and talking to other GTR owners, I managed to find a set of original LMGT1 18x10 ET20 wheels. Even better — a fellow GTR enthusiast in the UK helped me get them 3D scanned.
Reverse Engineering the Icon
A quick side note: I had previously worked for a 3D scanning and reverse engineering company (3dscan.ee), so I was no stranger to this kind of project.
With those scanned files, we got to work on designing a 19" model inspired by the original 18s — staying as true as possible to how Nissan designers might’ve done it themselves back in the day. We accounted for every design nuance and technical requirement to keep the spoke profile and concavity just right. It wasn’t just a visual copy — this was a full-blown homage, built with precision.
Weight Matters
From day one, I’ve been obsessed with wheel weight. It’s one of the biggest performance factors that most replica wheel manufacturers ignore — and one of the key ways we stand apart.
We aim to keep every wheel we make as light or lighter than the originals. That’s a tall order, but it’s non-negotiable for me. All our wheels are built using 6061 T6 forged aluminium — both for the centers and the barrels — and we run FEA (Finite Element Analysis) testing on every design to make sure they meet VIA JWL standards.
Read more how to spot bad quality replicas here
From One-Off to Full Lineup
What started as a personal project slowly turned into something bigger.
Now, two years later — and thanks to strong demand from the GTR community — we’ve expanded our offering into a full product line. That includes 2-piece and 3-piece versions, and we produce 18", 19", and 20" sizes of the legendary designs we all grew up idolizing. Each one is a modern tribute to the past — Icons, Reimagined.
The name says it all
That’s how Icons Reimagined was born. A brand built by an enthusiast, for enthusiasts. A love letter to the wheels we once couldn’t afford — now re-engineered with the craftsmanship, materials, and passion they deserve.
Thanks for being part of the ride.
Markus Trei / @nardogtr
Founder
icons-reimagined.com