Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the U.S.-spec Nissan GT-R.

If you're reading these words right now, there's a good chance you're already too late. Nissan has selected 691 dealerships to begin taking pre-orders of the GT-R, with a price of $69,850 for the base model and $71,900 for the premium variant. Both prices don't include destination and handling charges (let along markups), which have yet to be determined.

Nissan's criteria for deeming a dealer "GT-R Certified" involves making a number of commitments including sales, service and facility requirements, along with having a dedicated "master technician" whose incredibly well-versed in the service of Godzilla. Sales won't be handled by your run-of-the-mill sales person either; the GT-R will only leave the lot under the supposedly expert hands of a dealer principal, executive manager or general manager.

Deliveries are expected to being this June. With only 1,500 GT-Rs on their way to the States and less than 700 dealers handling sales, the price gouging is all but assured.

Nissan's full press release is available after the jump and more information is available at gtrnissan.com.

Let the markups begin. When sales of the Nissan GT-R starts in North America next summer, only 1,500 examples will be available. We're a bit unsure as to how that figure was reached, but we'd assume production limitations and Nissan's desire to keep exclusivity on boil are all factored into the estimate.

The sales directive comes courtesy of a dealer communication due out this Friday to Nissan's 1,070 dealers nationwide, which also lists pricing for two GT-R models at $69,850 and $71,900. Some retailers are expecting markups on the GT-R to fly as high as $15,000 per vehicle. Get your local dealer on speed dial and have your checkbooks at the ready.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]