Actually, your incorrect.

While it is not illegal to have a RHD car, the NHSTA made a ruling a few years back that RHD is not comparable to LHD as far as safety is concerned. What that means, in a nutshell, is that the car would not be allowed in the USA as a RHD BECAUSE of CRASH SAFETY. Basically, they determined that the crash dynamics of a RHD is not the same as a LHD.

But that only applies to IMPORTING a car. There is no law stopping you from converting a LHD to a RHD.

So to clarify.

IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO OWN, DRIVE, AND ENJOY A RHD VEHICLE IN THE USA.

IT IS ILLEGAL TO IMPORT A RHD INTO THE USA UNDER THE "COMPARABLE" CLAUSE. THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE IMPORTED UNDER THE NON-CONFORMING STANDARDS AND BE CRASH TESTED.

Charles

 

Why not buy one that isalready in the states....
*cough* https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/s...hreadid=137848

 

um, if you have to get the car certified, then crash tested...what's the point? i mean, they just crashed up your car to say "yea, you would have lived...PASS" or is there another method for the forementioned crash testing?

 

Actually, the damage sustained from the crash testing would total the car. If you are going to try and convert a "non-conforming" car, expect on crash testing 3 (at least) to prove it's worthyness. Than they may allow you to bring one in. They totalled 3 Skylines to get there car into the USA.

BTW, the Skyline I believe is the ONLY non-conforming car EVER to be successfully brought into the USA. And people wonder why it costs so much....

Charles

 

Actually there are quite a few non comforming cars made legal in the US including 959s, Mclaren F1 , as well as other rare cars. Just costed a lot of money for the people that brought them in. To get a silvia legal that way, it would have to go the same as the skyline though and probably have to be converted to LHD to make things easier. But this however is not an ecomically viable solution for the silvia as you would end up with a $40-50k silvia (S15 because s13s and s14s are kinda pointless when you can just make one) which no one would buy. There are however quasi legal ways to bring in almost any car you want. Look up Parts for Assembly vehicle...ie kit car.........

Also for motorex to get this done the crash tested a lot of cars becuase they had to do it for ever model of every generation and since they sell the GTS and GTR, thats 6 deifferent variations times several cars each. I dont know how the RIs legalize the exotics like the Mclaren but i know they had to put on different bumpers and had to take out the two side seats, but i doubt the crash tested any here

 

I was waiting for somebody to chime in.

The 959, the Mclaren F1, and a whole host of other cars were not imported under a restriction free status....sorry.

Yes they are non-conforming, and were imported under "show/Display vehicle". Remember, they meet the criteria found on http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...osd072003.html
especially the part that says:
Technological significance – You must identify (be specific) the technology, engineering, and construction features of the vehicle that are advanced and of an unusual nature not commonly found in motor vehicles manufactured in the same time period;

To find a list of ALL cars that have been imported on a non-restricted basis (conforming and non-conforming), well, here is the list... http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...LIG102803.html

And for some reason, I'm sure they didn't crash test that many skylines. In fact, according to the NHTSA documents they submitted,they only showed a R33 being crash tested......hmmmm

Charles

 

Very interesting! Nice find...that brings up some serious questions about motorex......

Another insteresting thing about them is they say they have to do stuff to the car to pass it, but all I have ever found on my car is one big high flow cat which i took out. Mine didnt even have the two precats since it is a tommykaira


As for the Mclaren and 959s, I know of at least one street driven street legal Mclaren in like maine or new hampshire. The guy drives it everyday. There was a big article on it in car and driver several years back. They made him do various wacky things to the car to get it to pass which he then just took off. There is a Mclaren here in Tampa, but don't think its street legal. There was also an article recently about 959s in autoweek where it talked about the 5 or 6 RIs who were capable and successfull in making them street legal and how they recently had a big break through with the gov making it much easier to bring them in and make the street legal. However, in these cases I wouldnt doubt it if they got help form the manufacturer which can help significantly. Don't expect that nissan is gonna help someone bring in an S15