Skyline... (at least it's informative)

[_Charles_]

The question about getting skylines always comes up. Due to recent events, I thought I'd share the current status. Enjoy.

#1: Skylines are no longer legal to import and federalize in the USA, not even Motorex (who is out of business) can do it. Those that are in Motorex's possesion, and were in the process of being legalized when the shit hit the fan "MAY" be released into the USA, as it was considered 'Good Faith'. The Skylines that were previously federalized by Motorex are 'grandfathered' in, and are safe.

#2: RBMotoring can not legally import a skyline at this time, NOBODY CAN. I do know they have submitted petitions, but those have not been approved yet. A person that was formally employed by G & K (the people who did the original petition for the skyline since motorex wasn't an RI at the time) opened his own RI, and submitted petitions, and they have been rejected.

#3: So how did 'these' people get theres? Through deviation. The cars are imported with a HS-7 form as 'Parts Only', and then they are re-assembled. They than get a title company to file for the title. This is easy in some states, such as Florida. Just becuase the car is titled and registered does not mean that it is 'LEGAL'. It just means that you legally own it (title) and you have registered it with the state and paid taxes (Registration). The car does not meet NHSTA or EPA regulations, and it was brought into the USA under false pretenses (HS7 'Parts Only'...can't be re-assemled for road use). obviously many federal laws broken, but not a big deal till you get caught.

Now this is when everybody says 'they'll crush your car'. The government has the right to crush the car, but over the past 2 years, I have not heard of a Skyline being crushed. I have seen at least 6 of these Skylines seized and put up @ gov't auctions for export only (and I don't check very often).

And for all the 'Naysayers' who say that the Gov't doesn't do this...than check out the results of this auction for August 11th, 2005. Item 199 and 200 in particular.

http://www.treas.gov/auctions/customs/0527009.html

Sad to know that somebody paid $20k+ for a car that was confiscated and sold at auction for $3k. Let's not forget any federal charges, fines, etc. All for a damn car.

Sorry to vent, I want one too...but I'd rather have a truly legal one, and not a headache.

Charles

[steve]

a r34 was crushed in arizona

[hiwayhuntr]

why arent they allowed to import them anymore?never heard all that before.that sucks.

[steve]

because you touch your self at night

[_Charles_]

Originally Posted by hiwayhuntr

why arent they allowed to import them anymore?never heard all that before.that sucks.

They failed to fully convert the cars that they were importing. That caught the interest of the NHSTA. They investigated further, and determined there were alot of flaws in the Skyline petition, and halted the further importation of them.

Charles

[JonLGT]

Great post, very informative.

[hiwayhuntr]

so even like a private importer cant do it anymore or just the importers that were importing them and selling them like motorx.and do u mean they dident make them d o t legal over here once they got them or was it legal stuff that they were doing wrong or not doing at all.

[Brandon]

what's the big deal about having JDM cars in America? God damn facists IMO

Good post and information though.

[XtremeSaturn]

Originally Posted by Brandon

what's the big deal about having JDM cars in America? God damn facists IMO

George Bush doesn't care about Skylines of JDM cars

[RoadRacer]

Good info Charles. Do you know what will happen if one is brought in and isn't titled nor registered... say to race at Sebring, Daytona.. etc? Off road only.
Also, can a siezed car stay in the US if it isn't put on the road, say for the above reason.

[hiwayhuntr]

Originally Posted by XtremeSaturn

George Bush doesn't care about Skylines of JDM cars

lol...

[Sluggo]

thanks for all the info, cleared up a lot for me.

[_Charles_]

Originally Posted by hiwayhuntr

so even like a private importer cant do it anymore or just the importers that were importing them and selling them like motorx.and do u mean they dident make them d o t legal over here once they got them or was it legal stuff that they were doing wrong or not doing at all.

The ONLY importer to EVER get a Skyline past NHSTA/EPA was Motorex. Unless it got legalized by Motorex, it's here illegally, end of story.

What initially got them in trouble was side markers. They stopped installing them. After the NHSTA started noticing the Skyline articles (and the pics, without side markers), they started to review the petition. They found a few things that were 'incorrect' (or misleading ). Here are some of the discrepencies:

All Skyline made after 1996 need to be OBD2 compliant. There was never an RB series OBD2 ECU/engine manufactured by Nissan.
All Skylines need headlight that meet NHSTA specs. NO skyline headlights meet that standard.
All Skylines manufactured after 1989 need to have a SRS system, and Skylines made after 1994 need to have Drivers and Passenger side airbags.

Basically, it came down to the point, that ONLY a 1995 dual airbag Skyline could be imported and converted (if the headlight issue were addressed).

I also heard there were some issues around the airbags they installed too, but don't know much about that. Several Skylines were imported as 1995 models, that are actually 1996 or newer. The TK Skyline in Tampa was imported as a 1995, but I believe it's a 1996.

They screwed up a good thing
Charles

[Duceanahalf]

Originally Posted by Brandon

what's the big deal about having JDM cars in America? God damn facists IMO

Good post and information though.

It is because every new vehicle sold in the U.S. is required to meet certain standards set forth by the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It has nothing to do with prejudice or jealousy

[_Charles_]

Originally Posted by RoadRacer

Good info Charles. Do you know what will happen if one is brought in and isn't titled nor registered... say to race at Sebring, Daytona.. etc? Off road only.
Also, can a siezed car stay in the US if it isn't put on the road, say for the above reason.

to be imported as a race car is not easy. You have to provide a list of races that you will be attending, the car MUST be modified to be a track car before importation (what that means, I don't know, but I have heard Rollcage, gutted interior, and the famous Coke Can test).

To the second half of your question...if it's seized, than it can only be exported, period. You could send it to a free trade zone, and then attempt to re-import it, but it will still be tough.

Charles