So you want to buy a Skyline in the US....

A forum for owners and fans of the legendary Nissan Skyline and Nissan GTR.
Count Zero
Posts: 428
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:33 pm
Car: 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R, Federal Legal & fully registered

Post

C33LaurelRacer wrote:
The R32 GTS-4's had a front torque gauge as well.
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.


skylinenut21
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:14 pm

Post

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

User avatar
Gold Digger
Posts: 5823
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 8:48 pm
Car: Current:
2011 Infiniti G25X

Former:
1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec Midnight Purple
1990 Nissan Laurel Club S Turbo Two Tone Pearl

Post

skylinenut21 wrote: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?"

I think not.

skylinenut21
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:14 pm

Post

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.


User avatar
Gold Digger
Posts: 5823
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 8:48 pm
Car: Current:
2011 Infiniti G25X

Former:
1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec Midnight Purple
1990 Nissan Laurel Club S Turbo Two Tone Pearl

Post

skylinenut21 wrote: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.


skylinenut21
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:14 pm

Post

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.


skylinenut21
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:14 pm

Post

http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf42/70703_web.pdf

check this out i came across this on a forum. its pretty interesting

s13ohio
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 4:25 pm
Car: a few
Contact:

Post

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

s13ohio
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 4:25 pm
Car: a few
Contact:

Post

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.' "

>taken from -http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...05699

nipo
Posts: 207
Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:50 am

Post

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.

Lets hear it.

s13ohio
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 4:25 pm
Car: a few
Contact:

Post

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.

EDIT: NVM, I got ahold of DOT.

Pycakmark
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:06 pm
Car: 05 altima 2.5s

Post

what bout motorex? they deal only with skylines.

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 54538
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

Pycakmark wrote:what bout motorex? they deal only with skylines.
You missed a lot, start over.

http://www.nicoclub.com/arc2-2006.html - scroll down...

2thelimit
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:25 am
Car: G35

Post

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.

Count Zero
Posts: 428
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:33 pm
Car: 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R, Federal Legal & fully registered

Post

2thelimit wrote: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.

User avatar
Gold Digger
Posts: 5823
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 8:48 pm
Car: Current:
2011 Infiniti G25X

Former:
1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec Midnight Purple
1990 Nissan Laurel Club S Turbo Two Tone Pearl

Post

2thelimit wrote: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.

JchavezJ
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:44 pm
Car: 1991 Nissan 240sx

Post

Skyline has always been a great car GOOD LUCK!@

crocop.mirko
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:17 am

Post

I dunno the president goes for so much more money than a mere Q45....

User avatar
AACstyle
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:32 am

Post

Hey, I dont know if this was already mentioned but this thread is brought up in a docket on the dot website regarding skylines:http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages...b.pdfh ... Simple.cfm

Buck96
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:19 pm
Car: 1996 Maxima SE

Post

^^^ interesting

wings5555
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:47 pm

Post

right now i think everybody is better off waiting for the 09 gtr

bigupgtr
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:30 am

Post


superspikky
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:13 am
Car: 1995 Nissan Skyline GTS25T series I
1986 Nissan 300ZX Turbo
2001 Honda Accord EX Coupe (modified)

Post

Count Zero wrote:
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

Florida240sx
Posts: 11114
Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2004 7:17 am
Car: 1993 Nissan 240SX Hatch 5spd
2012 Nissan Altima S coupe 2.5
Location: DeLand FL

Post

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

johnnyRacer
Posts: 67
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:18 am

Post

Seems to me the only way I'll drive a R32 here in the U.S. leagally is to wait 'til 2014 and buy an 1989 model.

User avatar
MrPresidentQ45
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:39 pm
Car: 1999 Q45 1999 G20 1978 KZ1000 LTD

Post

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.


User avatar
silviabill
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:23 pm
Car: 2003 Infiniti M45
sold: 92 240sx Coupe w/RB20DET
sold: 88 200sx Coupe
Location: Tulsa, Ok

Post

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!

User avatar
MrPresidentQ45
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:39 pm
Car: 1999 Q45 1999 G20 1978 KZ1000 LTD

Post

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.

martJOB
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:51 pm
Car: 1964 elcamino

Post

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

Sheridan
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:03 am
Car: 93 Toyota Supra

Post

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??


Return to “GTR Forum / Skyline Forum”