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

A forum for owners and fans of the legendary Nissan Skyline and Nissan GTR.
zoborax
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Forgoten214 wrote:there isnt anyone that can legalize them professionally? in the US?
Actually, Yes. J.K. Technologies in MD can do it. They were the ones who initially did the R33 crash testing, which allowed the vehicles to be eligible for importation and to be Federally "legalized." They were the ones who sold the rights to Motorex. But since Motorex is "Tits Up," J.K. now does it again! Of course, only 1996 to 1998 model years, since the NHTSA recinsion. Of course, you'll have to pay at least $20k - $50k above and beyond the cost of purchasing the car, shipping the car, and bonding the car. So yes, you can, but you'll still pay dearly! GOD BLESS THIS GREAT LAND OF FREEDOM! ( AHEM...FREE FOR THE AFFLUENT!).


takaramotors
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they wont touch a skyline I should know they are doing my crash testing cause of the EPA so that is the other reason for the R32 choice

zoborax
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takaramotors wrote:they wont touch a skyline I should know they are doing my crash testing cause of the EPA so that is the other reason for the R32 choice


That's interesting! I talked with the guys at J.K. about three weeks ago! They told me that they could convert a car for me, but it would cost me $20k! Ironically, that was for a 1995, which is not even eligible for importation anymore! They said for a 1996-1998, it would cost about $50k! What a freak'n ripp-off! All you need to do, Takara, is become a registered importer and have MGA Research Corporation do your crash testing. Though, you may have to retrofit dual airbags to pacify the passive restraint requirement, which lead to the lovely NHTSA recinsion to only allow '96-98' skylines to be eliglbe for importation. I just hope that if you are successful with the R32 skylines, you don't crank the price so high that most genuine enthusiasts cannot afford one! Good luck!

DJ42
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Car: 95 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR

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I have to disagree..... The only cars left on the imprt list are the 96-98.... These cars never had an OBD2 system and fail the tests due to an EGR related issue..... Just because they crash tested the cars won't assure you'll ever get a DOT release.....They don't have to approve it and after this mess with Motorex, you can bet they won't... Call the DOT.... you'll see what they have to say and give up on these crooks that say they can make a Skyline Legal.....About the only place you can trust is RB and they arn't going to try to legalize a skyline for you..... I couldn't even get them to sell me stuff I don't need..... They just don't understand I need toys.. lol

Yes..... Mine is Legal through Motorex.

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AZhitman
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I keep getting the emails, at least 2 a week....

Folks, please read the first post in this thread.

I had $30K burning a hole in my pocket - I have connections all over the world, friends in the DMV, friends who work for Customs, a friend who imports cars from Japan and the UK, friends in law enforcement, a friend who works for NHTSA, and several friends in Japan.

On top of all that, a Skyline would be a full tax write-off for me.

See one in my driveway?

Case closed.

kouki180sx
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Did your new car not come with a Skyline plate? Hmmm? Bahaha!

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jamied311
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kouki180sx wrote:Did your new car not come with a Skyline plate? Hmmm? Bahaha!

RBpoweredSileighty
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zoborax wrote:
Actually, I have liability with Progressive, and they told me that I had to have one of 3 documents. I don't remember the first two, but I know they had something to do with US Customs and Border Protection (Form HS-7) and a document from the NHTSA stating that the vehicle complies with ALL applicable FMVSS of the year in which the car was manufactured. The third document is simple...State vehicle registration. They told me to fax that to them once I got it and I would have no problem. That registration, according to them, states that the car is allowed to be driven on the streets. I have done the best I could. The car is titled and registered as exactly what it is! NOT A BOTCHED 240 VIN! After all, it's up to the states to enforce the laws, not the Federal Government. The Federal Government can only regulate the importation! So if a car is smuggled in....
interesting

phantomracer
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Vkoslak wrote:What if I wanted to import one older than 25? Impossible to find maybe, but it would be good info to know if I ever got the opportunity.
its not immpossible to find one 25 years old you just have to know were to look. there r a couple compaines in Japan that will ship cars to the US. i kno thi because i was gonna import an R32 but to regestire it was goona be anther $15k on top of the price for the car and the shipping and to customize to fit the US laws.

zoborax
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Okay,
AZhitman wrote:I keep getting the emails, at least 2 a week....

Folks, please read the first post in this thread.

I had $30K burning a hole in my pocket - I have connections all over the world, friends in the DMV, friends who work for Customs, a friend who imports cars from Japan and the UK, friends in law enforcement, a friend who works for NHTSA, and several friends in Japan.

On top of all that, a Skyline would be a full tax write-off for me.

See one in my driveway?

Case closed.[/QUOTE
AZhitman wrote:I keep getting the emails, at least 2 a week....

Folks, please read the first post in this thread.

I had $30K burning a hole in my pocket - I have connections all over the world, friends in the DMV, friends who work for Customs, a friend who imports cars from Japan and the UK, friends in law enforcement, a friend who works for NHTSA, and several friends in Japan.

On top of all that, a Skyline would be a full tax write-off for me.

See one in my driveway?

Case closed.
Okay, well maybe you want to have a dignified blessing from the FEDS. If so, that's your perogative, and there is nothing wrong with that. All I can say is that I had one titled and registered in the State of Georgia as a Nissan Skyline. It was sitting in my driveway until last Sunday afternoon, when I sold it (for my asking price.). It was also insured as a Nissan Skyline. A picture of it is even posted in one of my posts in this thread.

All I am saying is that it IS possible to have one in the states without going through the FEDS. BTW, I've been pulled over in it and no problem. I guess there's no way to convince others who already have their minds' made up. Hmmm. Oh well. Just another exercize in futility! No Biggie!

RBpoweredSileighty
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damn.. who bought it? btw was that the one that was at top hat performance in conyers??

zoborax
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Yes I visited Tophat a while back inquiring about some mods. I sold it to a guy in Douglasville on the 2nd. Note. I did not buy the car from Tophat or Shouri, either.

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AZhitman
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zoborax - I appreciate your point.

However, the GA DMV is notoriously retarded, and you benefitted from it. FL is another good state for that.

However, in AZ, they impound suspected illegal vehicles without warning.

In addition, there are the insurance concerns. Yes, you may have had a policy through Progressive.

However, I'm sure you never tried to make a claim against it. There's a little stipulation in your policy, which I'm sure you never read, that exempts Progressive from any responsibility if any part of your application is false or misleading. You can bet their lawyers would deny a claim all day long based on that alone.

On top of that, IF you were unfortunate enough to hit someone else, and they sued you, or you sued for medical, you're driving a car that is not in compliance with NHTSA crash-safety standards. Again, the attorneys would jump on that like a hobo on a ham sandwich. Don't have proper door beams? Don't have proper glass? Gee, what else isn't "up-to-snuff' on your hot rod, Mr. Zoborax? Could it have possibly contributed to the accident? Perhaps you're 100% liable? Hmmm?

NOTE: Please understand, I don't agree with any of this. I think the requirements are bogus and silly. However, I also think it's incumbent upon us as a source of reliable information, to present ALL aspects of owning a "grey-market" car in the U.S.

bushbear
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Looking for a GT-R32 or 33 around $30k registerd in USA can be difficult and discouraging, but now maybe i can get some help from others that know what a GT-R is.

http://www.rallyclassified.com...ng/90 for example has a nice one but i don't know them yet.

Any help is appreciated.

mikep1457
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if anyone knows where i can get a skyline in canada 1990-2002 for cheap like 12000 and under please aim me at (hummerfashow1)oremail me at ([email protected])thannks -mike

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cnickk
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I kind of jumped in here late but, does living in a state without emission standards help one to import illegaly and get away with

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AZhitman
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Nope.

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wingFeather
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So R32s and R34s are illegal now??? Please help
Modified by wingFeather at 9:21 PM 8/6/2006

cirwin
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Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't canada have a 15 year period before you can import basically whatever you want (as opposed to our 25 year period)?

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NISXAN
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Ok, so I have one question: what about military personnel who purchase the car overseas and have it shipped back to the U.S.? Is there some sort of exemption for them... it seems I've either read or heard that somewhere.

The reason I ask is, my uncle is with the Air National Guard and spent a month in Germany. He had some free time, so he wandered around some of the used car lots and found a few Skylines. He has to go back next March, and I was trying to see what the possiblity was for him to buy one for me and have it shipped back (through military channels).

Is this a legitimate possibility or just another dream?

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AZhitman
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cirwin - Correct.

NISXAN - Not anymore. It's all laid out in the link in the very first post.

Darkkness
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Ok this could be way wrong but when I was into VW everyone wanted one from germany and everyone complained about geting them over here.One person said you could take the car apart(not sure to what extent) and then ship it over put it back together and have it titled as a kit car any idea if this would be true for a skyline?

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AZhitman
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Nope. It's all laid out in the link in the first post.

Boy, I sound like a broken record...

A kit car is a car that was never mass-produced. Titling a "Skyline" as a kit car is in violation of Federal law.

Now, that's not to say some shady a-holes don't do it, but they're one phone call away from impound.

Buck96
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Geezz Hitman, Pickin em up and layin em down

This is a sad issueI originally thought there had to be someone, or a group of someone’s who would have come up with a strong enough petition to over turn the govt's hasty pull of R32' and R43's but to date (to the best of my knowledge) there hasn't been.

As originally posted the best bet to get a skyline R32 or R34 is to buy one that is already legalized.

Any other avenues *may* run the risks of, heavy govt. fines, seizer-deportation-and crushing of your vehicle, lawsuits by issuance companies for fraud, risk of losing coverage on all legit vehicles, and ultimately the total loss of all money, time and effort for attempting to circumvent the govt.

I’ve spent hours trying to find a loop hole in all the gov’t paper work, from importing it as a farm vehicle all the way to display purposes only, but the only way *I found* to wake up in the morning and it still be in the drive way is to get it legit…

And to the lucky owners that owned R32 & 34 before this, they now can charge what ever they want… the hand full of NHTSA listed RI's who will even convert a skyline R33 under vehicle eligibility number VCP-32 are under a microscope, (especially after the actions of “ruin it for everyone”=motorex) which is a main reason why $4,000 USD R33’s in Japanese auction go for $34,000 USD in the sates.

But I’m still savin up for my R32 GTR-Vspec, & when the day comes it will be even sweeter. …I just hope it’s not 2025 before that day comes

Buck96
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Yep that's right 4 months and no need to post, NICO you have great information all you have to do is search & I take my Nissan Serious, just ask the local sheriffs dept.
Modified by Buck96 at 4:43 PM 8/16/2006

cirwin
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AZhitman wrote:A kit car is a car that was never mass-produced. Titling a "Skyline" as a kit car is in violation of Federal law.
I am a little confused on this point. What about, for instance, the Noble M400(a road legal vehicle), which is registered as a kit car(for the sole purpose, I assume, to not be forced to have NHTSA certification). The body is made in South Africa which is then shipped to the states where the drivetrain is installed (I assume EPA certed, but I don't know). Albeit, we are talking about yearly production runs of 200 vs. 6,000 a year(for the GTR), so I don't know if there is a cut off point for production numbers that the M400 doesn't reach but the Skyline does (on a quick search I couldn't find any cut off point from DOT, EPA only said that a kit car is "This policy does not apply to regular production vehicles offered for importation into or produced in the United States.")


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AZhitman
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The Noble is brought to the US by the manufacturer.

That qualifies it, and not the Skyline, under the edict of your last quote.

If nothing else, we're all getting a good education!

cirwin
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Not to quibble, but the chasis is manufactured by Hi-Tech and it is imported by 1g Racing (http://www.1gracing.com/images/road-and-track.pdf). 1G also isn't the manufacturer of the drivetrain and they don't appear to even install the drivetrain " Although 1g Racing does not provide drivetrain, there are a number of race engine builders that can supply an engine/transaxle package. Upon request a comprehensive and detailed installation manual can be made available."(http://www.1gracing.com/)

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icsbnr32gtr
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Hey guys... Man I jumped on this topic real late, but I have extensive knowledge/ experience with the afore mentioned subject. I had a car sent to Motorex to be legalized back in 03. This is when the whole thing went south. I just got my bond release letter and could regester the car back in June of this year. The entire time it was in California, my lawer and myself were trying to find a loop hole, everything from the military thing, to the kit car thing, even thinking about taking it to Canada and regst. it up there. (I live an hour from Vancouver) After looking at all the options there wasn't any that would work. Finally NHTSA decided to pull the R32 and early R33's off the eligable vehicle import list, they released the cars that were brought in before March of this year. The 1996-1998 R33 models are still on the list, and can be DOT comlpiant, but the fact that none of the cars have OBD2 makes them not EPA compliant. Basically NHTSA didn't want to deal with the whole Skyline mess anymore and made it an EPA matter. So the only way to make the cars legal is for someone to make an OBD2 conversion for the RB26Dett... Witch there is rumors that J.W. Technologies did on 2 R34's. I got alot more info if anyone wants it. I also have a copy of the transcrips from Hiro's first trial.

Marc

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AZhitman
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Good info Marc, and welcome aboard!!!!

That R32 makes me happy in pants!


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