D'oh! Uhm, yea....true. My brain switched to "GT-R vs GTS" mode for that.
Course, if it's a GTS-4 with an RB26DETT dropped in.....how much difference is left between it and a real GT-R? *ponder*
As for the VIN plate: yes, also a good check, assuming they didn't alter it.
1990 Skyline GT-R (Mostly stock), 2000 F150 (almost bone stock), 1988 Mustang track car (not stock at all), 2008 Harley Softail NightTrain (also not stock)
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body. The goal is to skid in broadside; tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids, the fuel gauge just about on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, and loudly proclaiming---- "Holy ****---What a Ride!"
hey i'd like more information on registering a skyline i have one lined up right now for pretty cheap from germany but i want to know what else ill need to do to legalize it here its a r34 and from the sounds of it i can even bring it into the u.s. im fairly new to the whole skyline importing thing but i would really like to get more information and costs. i have a lot of friends that work in the auto business and mechanics business so any info is appreciated.
hey i'd like more information on registering a skyline i have one lined up right now for pretty cheap from germany but i want to know what else ill need to do to legalize it here its a r34 and from the sounds of it i can even bring it into the u.s. im fairly new to the whole skyline importing thing but i would really like to get more information and costs. i have a lot of friends that work in the auto business and mechanics business so any info is appreciated.
thanks,
andy
It'll never be "Legal" as far as that's concearned. But there are some people around the boards that will tell you that being "state legal" is good enough, but it's been said over and over and over in this thread and others. Is it worth the money you are gonna spend to have that nagging feeling on you, wondering, "Is some cop gonna bust me and take my car?"
yeah i have been emailing this guy who is selling one he just told me that it has been modified to dot and epa requirements i asked him to send pictures of the signed documents so we will see. also i got a little confused about what happens once the car is stateside. do you get the car or does someone else hold or what? just a minor question because the guy was going to send it via cargo plane to me. so i dont know just doing research. i was also thinking could you just take a 240 sx's vin and putting that all on the skyline and saying the skyline is a replica? i know that probably is a noob question but it was just a thought.
yeah i have been emailing this guy who is selling one he just told me that it has been modified to dot and epa requirements i asked him to send pictures of the signed documents so we will see. also i got a little confused about what happens once the car is stateside. do you get the car or does someone else hold or what? just a minor question because the guy was going to send it via cargo plane to me. so i dont know just doing research. i was also thinking could you just take a 240 sx's vin and putting that all on the skyline and saying the skyline is a replica? i know that probably is a noob question but it was just a thought.
Changing a vin from one car to another is most likely a felony...not sure though, so if someone can shed some light on that, please do.
For what it's worth, R33's can be made to be legal, but most people don't want to shuck that kind of money on a car. You could spend that cash on a car that is already legal and mod the hell out of it. But, to each their own.
yeah so it probably is illegal but just a thought as long as you classified it as a replica on he 240s chassis, i dont know something to look into but jut a thought. anyways i got more news on this skyline i was looking at. i got the vin number and the plates that are in the inside door panel but anyways it says it was modified or something by a D B Imports PTY LTD. just wondering if anyone had info or knew anything about this? and is there a way to look up the vin and everything from a car that's outside the country.
wow, 10 pages later and my head is overloaded. I know a skyline can be made state legal, just not federal, and obviously federal trumps state. but my questions is what makes a skyline fed legal? i have the chance to get a 1993.5 r33 gts-4 that has customs papers stamped off DOT and EPA approved, is that all you need, or do you need stuff from the nhtsa, which i guess would be impossible.... and im willing to take the risk too. besides that, the only thing i dont know what to do about the 10 digit vin, the car was exported out of Dubai, SA, UAE into texas. will they assign me a new vin?
also, one more thing, if you register it as a track/ show car and drive over the 2,500 mi, what happens?
thanks a ton, James
88 Turbo All Trac- SOLD 90 320hp SR 240 drifter- SOLD 93 Del "Slo" Si- Daily Driver 93 300zx- Money Sucker
is this guy on this site, if so, please send me a pm or email. thanks.
" 'My biggest challenge was the difficulty of getting the BMV in the state of Ohio to issue a title to a non-standard VIN number," explains Kyle Bacon, 33, of Columbus and the owner of a 1995 R33. "They just couldn't handle a VIN that had dashes in it. They needed a 13-digit number without any special characters. So we took out some dashes and added some zeroes.' "
I have read a bunch of this thread but not the complete thread.
Does anyone KNOW or have a good idea of how much it would cost to start the whole legal process over? How many cars need to be crashed, how many cars must be modded and passed before they will allow legal importation again?
I say this because IF its in a reasonable range I think i can convince my dad to do this.
I went to the BMV today and found out everything I have to do to get the skyline legal in Ohio. The only thing I need is a DOT Bond Release. Does anyone know how I can get one? Please help. Thank you very much.
354 posts
1990 Skyline GT-R, Federal Legal & fully registered.
St. Louis MO
11-23-2006
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (2thelimit)
11:23 PM 7/23/2007
Quote, originally posted by 2thelimit »
you are completely right..the G35 IS NOT A SKYLINE. i think Nissan just threw the G35 tag on it to shut up US customers demanding a skyline.
When the original Z cars rolled off the boat at the US dock, they peeled the "Fairlady" off and glued "240" on in it's place. Did that suddenly make it a different car?
"a rose by any other name...."
For some cars there may be some room for arguing that they're different cars, like the KA-powered 240sx versus the SR-powered Silvia. But if the only differences are RHD versus LHD, KPH vs MPH and the addition of US-required safety and emissions equipment, then they're still pretty much the same car....just with country-specific differences.
The Silvia is legally the "200sx" in Australia....but otherwise are the exact same car. So does that make an Aussie who puts Silvia badges on his 200sx a possuer?
It's like the "quarter-pounder" vs. "grand royale" at European McDonalds thing: You're going to have country-specific differences, but the cars are still essentially the same thing. There's plenty of cars in the European market that come in RHD/MPH for the UK and LHD/KPH for everywhere else in Europe.
5845 posts
1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec Midnight Purple 50cc Honda Zoomer
Somewhere across the pond
4-11-2004
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (2thelimit)
4:17 AM 7/27/2007
Quote, originally posted by 2thelimit »
you are completely right..the G35 IS NOT A SKYLINE. i think Nissan just threw the G35 tag on it to shut up US customers demanding a skyline.
Yes it is. Stop the argument. Unless you can prove to me that the USDM G35 and the JDM Skyline are significantly different, just accept that you drive a Skyline and move on.
And you've yet to EVER answer the one simple question, no matter how many times it gets asked: How do you import your cars? In pieces or as an assembled, fully-running vehicle?
I had my r33 shipped to me in pecies chassis, engine, trans, suspension all seaperated
I know I was driving an r33 for a while and a 180sx, they were registered. Titles in VA and they gave each car a new vin #. The r33 got impounded one night. Got it back Monday morning. And the 180sx got pulled over and let go. Both times I WAS NOT DRIVING. Keep it as a show car and put a sticker over your mileage lol
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (johnnyRacer)
3:02 PM 1/5/2008
Ok. Just read through almost 2 years of posting. My eyes have just stopped bleeding and I can't resist stirring the pot a bit. For all of you CA residents, here is what the DMV says about special construction. As a side note, there a 500 permits, vins or whatever a year. Note they went by Jan. 2nd! I'm not saying I've found a definative loophole (I really don't think there is one) but I thought I'd share. Also, with reference to 25 years and older and Canada having changed to 15, has anyone thought about getting political? I remember when the CA law was changed from 1965 emissions exemption to 1973 with a rolling date. Granted, they stopped that at 1975, but managed to get all the musclecar-era years in there. I was on the steps of the Capitol with a few thousand other demonstrators when all this was going down. The point here is, people can make a difference. If you want Skylines, look to what would have to change instead of looking for loopholes. Write your Congressman. Advocate a change to 15 years or older for inportaion. Or 10, even! If there really are 80,000 plus NICO members out there (and I don't doubt it!) then there is POWER out there. Some of these members, just by averages, have to be "connected". Instead of complaining, why don't we try to make some changes? Anyway, as per CA DMV:
580. A "specially constructed vehicle" is a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. A specially constructed vehicle may be built from (1) a kit; (2) new or used, or a combination of new and used, parts; or (3) a vehicle reported for dismantling, as required by Section 5500 or 11520, which, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle dismantled. A specially constructed vehicle is not a vehicle which has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts. Amended Ch. 1286, Stats. 1983. Effective January 1, 1984.
Specially Constructed Vehicles- Emission Control What is the Specially Constructed Vehicle Emission Control Program? Existing law requires most 1976 and newer model year vehicles to pass an emissions control inspection (smog check) prior to original registration, transfer of ownership, and every second annual renewal. Since Specially Constructed Vehicles (SPCNS) are homemade and do not have a manufacturer-assigned model year, they must be taken to a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Station for the original inspection. Upon completion of the inspection, the referee will affix a tamper-resistant label to the vehicle and issue a certificate that establishes the model-year for future inspection purposes.
Per California Vehicle Code §4750.1, the first 500 program applicants in each calendar year may choose whether the inspection is based on the model-year of the engine used in the vehicle or the vehicle model-year. If the engine or the vehicle does not sufficiently resemble one previously manufactured, the referee will assign 1960 as the model-year.
After the first 500 vehicles have been registered in any calendar year, all others will be assigned the same model-year as the calendar year in which the application is submitted.
Previously registered vehicles may be included as one of the first 500 applicants in a calendar year and apply for a different model-year determination. What is an SPCNS Certificate of Sequence? An SPCNS Certificate of Sequence identifies a vehicle as one for which the owner may choose emission control inspection based on the model-year of the engine used in the vehicle or the vehicle model-year. The certificate is issued by DMV Headquarters and will be mailed 7-10 working days after the application is accepted by your local DMV. The certificate must be presented to the BAR Referee Station at the time of inspection.
Per statute, only 500 certificates can be issued in a calendar year. Once the yearly allotment has been issued, applicants must wait until the following year to apply for a certificate.
SPCNS Certificates of Sequence cannot be transferred to a different vehicle or reissued in someone else's name. The seller of a vehicle must provide the buyer with the SPCNS Certificate of Sequence along with the bill of sale and any additional registration documents. In addition, fees deposited in one year cannot be held over for the next year's allocation of certificates.
Note: Due to the limited number of SPCNS Certificates of Sequence available, you may wish to submit your application for registration in person at a local DMV office.
As of January 2, 2008, all 500 SPCNS Certificates of Sequence have been issued. No additional Certificates of Sequence will be available until January 2009. Registration Requirements for Home-Made, Specially Constructed, or Kit Vehicles A "home-made, specially constructed, or kit vehicle" is a vehicle that is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. These vehicles may be built from a kit, new or used parts, a combination of new and used parts, or a vehicle reported for dismantling (junked) that, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle that was dismantled.
A specially constructed vehicle (SPCNS) does not include a vehicle that has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts or a vehicle modified from its original design.
Example: A Volkswagen "Beetle" with modified fenders, engine compartment lid, and front end, but still recognizable as a Volkswagen is not considered a specially constructed vehicle.
NOTE: The registration requirements for kit commercial vehicles are the same as for specially constructed vehicles.
The Registration Requirements are: • A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343). • A vehicle verification done by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). You must start your application process with the DMV prior to contacting the CHP for a vehicle verification. DMV verifies trailers with an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less. • A completed Statement of Construction (REG 5036). • Proof of ownership, such as invoices, receipts, manufacturers’ certificates of origin, bills of sale, or junk receipts for the major component parts (engine, frame, transmission, and body).
NOTE: A motor vehicle bond is required when proof of ownership cannot be obtained for parts valued a $5,000 or more. • Official brake and light adjustment certificates. When an official brake and light station that inspects specific vehicles such as motorcycles and large commercial vehicles is not located within a reasonable distance, DMV will accept a Statement of Facts (REG 256) from a repair shop attesting that the brakes and lights are in proper working order. Brake and light certificates are not required for off-highway vehicles or trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. • A weight certificate for commercial vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less. • An emission control inspection (smog check) by a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Station. Click here for information on SPCNS Certificates of Sequence . To make an appointment at a BAR Referee Station, call 1-800-622-7733. • All fees due. • Visit your local DMV to begin the application process, make anappointment for faster service.
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (AZhitman)
10:57 PM 1/8/2008
American politics and policies suck hard. All I want is to have a sweet ride and be able to enjoy it. If I can buy it and import it for less than 10k that should be all I need. I'm tired of big brother telling me what to do man!
Happiness is knowing who you are. I'm a nerd. Knowing that makes me happy.
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (silviabill)
6:45 PM 1/9/2008
If you could buy one and import it for under 10k, I'd have two. And there'd be one in AZhitmans driveway. You're right as far as the current legal situation re: importation being stupid. Amen. I'm just looking to see if there's anyone here at NICO that wants to try to get the ball rolling. The only thing worse than wickedness is the apathy of good people, or something to that effect.
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (MrPresidentQ45)
7:08 PM 1/9/2008
so i read thru the first 2 pages and it confused me so bad that i didnt read the rest. so can someone pm telling me what i need to do to get one in the states....i already have it lined up i just need to know the fine details of this all
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (martJOB)
5:13 AM 1/11/2008
I am located in Japan, andd want to buy a Skyline 350GT which is the CPV36. I am not interested in a GTR. The military said they would ship one car for me back to the USA. I also read online that the new Skylines had more rigid emissions standards now, as well as safety improvements. Hell they might be stricter guidelines than the states now.
Anyone have any concrete info on that???
Worse case scenario.....about how much would it cost to bring or convert my car to DOT and EPA standards...and where can I get Crash Test data for my vehicle??
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (Sheridan)
9:36 AM 1/11/2008
RE: The last few posts. All the info is, for the most part, in the thread. As far as your question goes, Sheridan, you'll still have to go through an RI (registered importer?) as they are the only ones who can make the vehicle compliant IF the vehicle is elligible for importation (see previous posts). The rules for new vehicles (and someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong) are something to the effect that if the vehicle is "substantially similar" to a USDM vehicle you still have to make it DOT compliant but it can be done. Browse the thread, I think there's a link to a list of RI's. Now, having spoken with some service personel who have tried this, beware. I work for Lexus and met a gentleman who wanted to import a Soarer from Okinawa (SC300). The Man told him no. Why? We didn't get twin-turbo Soarers here, so there was no way to make the vehicle EPA compliant. Plus, there is a hard and fast rule about vehicles newer than 25 years old. It might actually cost you less to ship over any conversion parts to make a USDM G35 right hand drive (plus any body bits, badges etc.) than it would to import the Skyline. And it would be HUGELY easier to register and insure. Or, you could always go old school and try to track down a 1968-75 Skyline.
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (MrPresidentQ45)
6:52 AM 1/14/2008
Thanks Mr President....I do appreciate the advice. Its just very frustrating...being here in Japan.....and able to buy a used 2007 350GT SP fully loaded for $25,000......only 2,000KM on it.....and cannot take it home I still may buy and sell it before I leave in 3 years.
(Check out this article: Heres a clip from it) This is a official Press Release from Nissan. Skyline V36
Standard safety equipment includes rigid, safe Zone Body construction, driver and front passenger SRS Air Bag System, driver and front passenger SRS Side Air Bag System, SRS Curtain Air Bag System, Active Front Head Restraints and three-point ELR rear seat belts. Emergency Brake Operated Pre-crash Front Seat Belts are optionally available.
The Skyline coupe body has been designed to offer greater pedestrian protection, including the application of Nissan's new "pop-up engine hood" technology. When sensors embedded in the front bumper detect an impact with a pedestrian, the system's control unit determines if the hood needs to be instantly raised. If deemed necessary, the control unit activates a pyrotechnic actuator that raises the rear edge of the hood, creating a larger, protective buffer space between the hood and hard engine components underneath. This helps cushion the impact to the pedestrian's head if it collides with the hood.
From an environmental standpoint, all Skyline coupe models are certified as SU-LEVs, meeting 2005 standards to cut emissions by 75%. In addition, over 95% of the vehicle is recyclable (based on definitions of recyclables for new cars and calculation guidelines by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, 1998).
« Re: So you want to buy a Skyline in the US.... (martJOB)
11:41 PM 1/15/2008
Quote, originally posted by martJOB »
so i read thru the first 2 pages and it confused me so bad that i didnt read the rest. so can someone pm telling me what i need to do to get one in the states....i already have it lined up i just need to know the fine details of this all
do you really want one? what kind?? ,, i can help you ,, i have one r34 skyline ,, and i will get more,, so,, if you really want one ,, email me at,, tinamao_88@hotmail.com,, sebastian
hey i'd like more information on registering a skyline i have one lined up right now for pretty cheap from germany but i want to know what else ill need to do to legalize it here its a r34 and from the sounds of it i can even bring it into the u.s. im fairly new to the whole skyline importing thing but i would really like to get more information and costs. i have a lot of friends that work in the auto business and mechanics business so any info is appreciated.
thanks,
andy
1, you cant register any right hand skyline in CA. 2, you need a full line of papper work of where the car was from,model,engine spec , smog obd,ect,,, 3, one month time in US custom,with ser house fee, $150 a day. Sebastian
Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, so please be easy this humble noob if this idea has been proposed before.
After reading this thread and reviewing the petition by JK Technologies, I think I am coming to grips with this information. Now, all of the changes to make the car DOT legal are contained within the petition, or were there seperate (mind you DOT-specific, nothing to do with EPA yet) changes that needed to be made to the R33 post-96 series that Motorex has still not disclosed? And then, once the car has passed the DOT inspection, it will then need to go through the EPA and their OBDII, which is what shuts down most potential buyers, correct? If that is correct, what if the car were outfitted with an OBDII-equipped engine (say an LS1 for the sake of argument), then would it be allowed to pass through the federal regulations or will it have been modified so heavily that it will no longer be considered a Skyline?
Now, with that said, what if strictly the body were imported, it was converted by an RI to comply with DOT rgulations, then outfitted with an engine that would pass the EPA regulations with an engine already in America. Would this modification, assuming that the DOT no longer considers a Skyline with a swapped motor to be the standard production model, be legally capable of being registered as a kit car (federally, not just state) because now it is heavily modified so that it is no longer a production car but it still meets DOT regulations?
You know, I've actually been thinking along those lines, but from a different direction. Who knows, maybe the "build your own" skyline trend will catch on. I was thinking to keep the vehicle Nissan AND compliant, I would build it this way (get ready to cringe): Swap in VG30dett and take to referee station (CA) Import 1 1992 Skyline GTR as parts. Dismantle said Skyline into its component pieces. concurrently, dismantle my 240sx into its component pieces. Swap R32 font clip (including AWD bits.) and interior on to 240sx (not including engine) Cut quarter panels off R32, graft to 240sx (tail lights, trunk lid, etc.) Mate VG30dett to AWD running gear.
Now you've got a legal engine that can make some power, legal VIN, and after some extensive body work and chassis fabrication, you've got the exterior (with a slightly different roof line) and the AWD.
You know, I've actually been thinking along those lines, but from a different direction. Who knows, maybe the "build your own" skyline trend will catch on. I was thinking to keep the vehicle Nissan AND compliant, I would build it this way (get ready to cringe): Swap in VG30dett and take to referee station (CA) Import 1 1992 Skyline GTR as parts. Dismantle said Skyline into its component pieces. concurrently, dismantle my 240sx into its component pieces. Swap R32 font clip (including AWD bits.) and interior on to 240sx (not including engine) Cut quarter panels off R32, graft to 240sx (tail lights, trunk lid, etc.) Mate VG30dett to AWD running gear.
Now you've got a legal engine that can make some power, legal VIN, and after some extensive body work and chassis fabrication, you've got the exterior (with a slightly different roof line) and the AWD.
How much could that possibly cost?
Quote from JP Morgan "If you have to ask,you cant afford it"!
You know, I've actually been thinking along those lines, but from a different direction. Who knows, maybe the "build your own" skyline trend will catch on. I was thinking to keep the vehicle Nissan AND compliant, I would build it this way (get ready to cringe): Swap in VG30dett and take to referee station (CA) Import 1 1992 Skyline GTR as parts. Dismantle said Skyline into its component pieces. concurrently, dismantle my 240sx into its component pieces. Swap R32 font clip (including AWD bits.) and interior on to 240sx (not including engine) Cut quarter panels off R32, graft to 240sx (tail lights, trunk lid, etc.) Mate VG30dett to AWD running gear.
Now you've got a legal engine that can make some power, legal VIN, and after some extensive body work and chassis fabrication, you've got the exterior (with a slightly different roof line) and the AWD.
How much could that possibly cost?
You're looking at some high prices unless you can do the labor yourself, but since you're registering the car as a 240SX I don't think you will have to have the labor done by an RI. If you are doing the labor, you lose a lot of money that you would have normally forked over to the RI, so it will be time consuming, but I think you will still have to register the car as a heavily modified vehicle or kit car.
The thing I think with my idea is that if the car has no engine when it comes through customs, then can the EPA stop it? As long as I have it legally converted by an RI to meet the DOT regulations then it does not look like insurance companies can bust me for fraud (since it is a fully DOT-legal car) but without an engine the EPA cannot stop it from going through. I could always juist take the engine out and put it back in one it's through customs anyway (or get one of those crazy Canadians to ship me down a good RB if I wanted to keep it Nissan). I would seriously like to know what some of the thread experts say about the idea of bringing the car in and getting it federalised without an engine.
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