Anatomy of a Build: Copper Penny Wheels on a Nissan GT-R R35 in Solid Red
At Premier Custom Paint & Collision, we get a lot of questions about what goes into a build like this red Nissan GT-R. Rather than just posting photos, we wanted to break down the choices behind them, so owners considering similar work can feel inspired.
Vossen EVO-2R Wheels in Copper Penny
The wheels on this GT-R are Vossen EVO-2R wheels, finished in a color called Copper Penny. The EVO-2R is a flow formed design, which means the barrel of the wheel is spun and stretched under heat and pressure after casting. The result is a wheel that is lighter than a standard wheel of the same size, which helps with the performance of the GT-R that already carries a good amount of weight.
The Copper Penny finish is one of our favorites, especially when sitting against the Solid Red. The metallic bronze-copper compliments rather than clashes with the body paint but also with the calipers.
Brembo Brake Calipers
The calipers on this GT-R are Brembo units, finished in the factory gold that Nissan uses specifically the GT-R's performance brake package. On this car, the factory finish was left as is, since it already does the job of standing out through an open wheel design like the EVO-2R. The Bembo gold has been one of the signature colors for this car for multiple generations, so it felt like a no-brainer way to keep the car feeling classic yet still customized.
Carbon Fiber Front Lip and Side Skirts
The front lip and side skirts on this car were redone in carbon fiber, and they are one of the first details people notice up close. The weave detail adds texture and depth along with giving the lower half of the car a more finished look. Against the red paint and the Copper Penny wheels, the carbon fiber really ties the whole car together.
PPF Over the Carbon Fiber
Because the front lip and side skirts sit low and close to the road, they take the brunt of rock chips, curb strikes, and general road grime. To protect the carbon fiber, we applied paint protection film (PPF) directly over these panels.
PPF is a clear, self-healing polyurethane film that absorbs impacts that would otherwise chip the paint or gouge the carbon fiber's clear coat. On a carbon fiber part, especially if it’s true weave and not hydro-dipped, this matters even more since a chip in the clear coat can expose the weave underneath and lead to fraying or moisture getting into the fibers over time.
Lowering this Nissan GT-R
At factory height, a gap can make an aftermarket wheel look like an afterthought. So, for the last piece of this build we lowered it to close the gap between the wheel and the fender. We wanted this ride to hit the road looking fully finished and driving seamlessly.
Now, the GT-R look more planted and intentional from every angle, not just through the wheel well.
Make Every Upgrade Work Together
None of these changes exist in isolation. The wheel color was chosen to work with the caliper color, the carbon fiber pieces were protected before they saw a single mile of road use, and the ride height was set to complement the new wheel and tire package rather than fight it.
That is the part of the process that often gets missed when people just see the finished product. Every piece here was chosen to work with the others, not just to look good on its own.
If you are planning to make some upgrades and want to make sure the final product looks intentional, reach out! We’d love to show you how each upgrade changes about the way your vehicle looks, sounds, and handles, and how to make it better.
Photos by Visuals by VP (THANK YOU!)
