In summary, the Nissan Skyline GT-R is prohibited from being imported into the US since it does not adhere to the 1988 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act. The Skyline was not designed with the necessary safety elements to abide by the applicable traffic safety regulations.
A vehicle is exempt from these rules once it reaches the age of 25, at which point it is allowed to be imported and used on American roads.
With California being likely the most noteworthy exception in terms of particular states where you would have difficulties importing due to tougher emissions control legislation, this means that vehicles like the R32 GTR (the original “Godzilla”) can be imported into the USA.
By 2024, you should be able to start importing the R34 GTR. The oldest versions of the R33 GTR are also starting to become legal for import and compliance (provided there are no additional changes to legislation by then, or further tightening of emissions and environmental rules which is always a risk in the current climate).
Just a word of caution
As far as we are aware, there are no laws prohibiting you from importing one as a “show piece that isn’t allowed to be driven on the road but instead sits in your garage.” We’ve heard stories of people looking to buy and store Nissan Skylines with a view of registering and complying them once they turn 25 years old in the hopes of increasing their value. While it is likely not a bad idea, there is always a chance that the government could modify import regulations, leaving you with a depreciating burden rather than an asset that depreciates over time. Although it’s unlikely, it’s nevertheless important to remark.
We would be interested in hearing from you if you are aware of any other legitimate ways to buy a Skyline GTR in the United States. Please comment down below!
In This Article...
thoughts on “Why Are Nissan Skylines Illegal In The United States?
Untrue in every way, 100%. A skyline can be exported and imported to the US for a pricey sum of $5,500. That doesn’t make it unlawful.
Which states permit skylines?
As you can probably tell, we at Drifted are HUGE fans of the Nissan Skyline.
Numerous Skyline guides have already been released, and we’ve seen that there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding their present legal standing in America.
Our supporters have constantly questioned us about the situation, seeking the truth and explanation.
We’ve chosen to produce a comprehensive guide explaining all the fascinating details and responding to the all-too-common query, “Why are Nissan Skylines illegal in the US?” as a result.
Since the F&F brand surely contributed to the Skyline’s rise to become a cult icon in the US, we first brought up the matter and provided some clarity in our Paul Walker Skyline article.
The Fast and the Furious star was without a doubt one of the biggest R34 GT-R aficionados in the US and was also fortunate to have owned and driven several of them in Japan, including the illustrious Mine’s R34 GT-R.
But what if you don’t want to travel to Japan to satisfy your Godzilla craving? What’s holding you back from bringing your own in and becoming a renowned figure in your community on the track or in the streets?
We have some happy news for you! Any vehicle older than 25 years can avoid the absurd US legal system.
This implies that, except for California, where there are some additional obstacles, it is totally legal to import and own a Nissan Skyline R31 or R32 GT-R in the US at the moment.
You can also lawfully import any Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R that was registered before 1995 as of the time this page went online.
However, you’ll have to wait a bit longer if you want to import a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, as we’ll discuss in more detail below.
Nissan Skyline R34s are permitted in the US?
10 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec II is still illegal Unless it’s an import from MotoRex, Gran Turismo and Fast and Furious fans will have to wait until 2024 to legally import the R34 Skyline to the United States because this model is still under the age of 25.
What does a Nissan Skyline cost in the US?
JDM enthusiasts have been waiting for this time, and it has now here, just like Subaru fans who watched for a Subaru 22B STi to go up for sale.
Why is the skyline an offense?
One of Nissan’s masterpieces is the Skyline GT-R. We shouldn’t be shocked that it has developed a cult following all over the world given its unparalleled power, handling, and design. The Skyline GT-R is regarded as one of the all-time greatest drifting vehicles and has won numerous awards.
Unfortunately, the Skyline GT-R cannot be fully appreciated in the American market. For the following reasons, the car is not certified for sale in the US:
- Although Skyline GT-R spare parts are unavailable in the US, you might look into the brand-new NISMO Heritage Parts program. As of December 1, 2017, some new GT-R parts are being marketed in Japan.
- It’s a luxury car on the gray market with features that violate US safety and emissions regulations.
- All of the vehicles are right-hand drive. None are made to US standards.
- It is faster than US police cars due to its speed.
Having said that, bringing a Skyline GT-R into the US is not absolutely difficult. (See the poster we created to celebrate the GT-R.)
A GTR is it a skyline?
Simply said, the GTR and Skyline are from separate automobile segments. Nissan’s Pre-R35 cars are referred to as Skyline. Despite the fact that both the Skyline and R35 models use the GTR suffix, the Nissan R35 GT-R is a member of a distinct series than the Skyline GTR. Additionally, they are very dissimilar in terms of configuration. The primary distinctions between GTR and Skyline are shown below.
Type of Car
In 1957, Nissan Skyline first hit the market. The brand has consistently improved the design till it becomes a supercar focused on performance. Nissan, on the other hand, debuted the GT-R35 as a sports vehicle in 2007. It is also a Grand Tourer with exceptional performance.
The Engine
The first-generation 1957 Skyline has a 60-horsepower engine. However, the most recent R35 model’s RB26DETT twin-turbo I6 engine gives it an amazing 280 horsepower.
With the Nissan GTR, a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine produces roughly 600 horsepower. GTR provides a 3,799 cc engine as opposed to the 2,708 cc Skyline engine.
What is the price of the R34?
The Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R example with the chassis number BNR34-006741 is a base model, but it still has all the GT-R features, such as the RB26 DETT, ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive, and more. This is not a V Spec or a M Spec, which begin around $180,000 for a low-mileage model and can reach as high as $500,000 in some cases.
With 103,250 kilometers (64 156 miles) on the clock, this Nissan R34 GT-R is painted in white (paint color QM1). The timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs were replaced as part of a major service performed on the vehicle on March 23, 2017, at a certified Nissan dealer. The vehicle’s odometer read 100,340 kilometers (62,348 miles) at the time.
The automobile has a few nice improvements but is otherwise mainly stock. A full NISMO aero kit, featuring a front aero bumper, side skirts, rear under-spoiler set, carbon pillar garnish, and GT shift knob, is one of the numerous NISMO goodies that are included. A lightweight flywheel, a sports clutch, a clutch cover, and other NISMO components are also available.
In the US, how many skylines are there?
As of April 23, 2021, there are 139 skylinechili sites across the country. Cincinnati, which has 29 locations and accounts for 33% of all Skyline Chili locations in the US, is the state with the most Skyline Chili locations.
How can I buy an R34 lawfully in the US?
One of the most well-known and sought-after Japanese vehicles in America is the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R. As a result, many auto fans wonder whether the R34 is legal in the United States. The bottom line is that owning an R34 is permissible in America. However, obtaining one is quite challenging. This is due to the fact that when R34s were first being produced, it was prohibited for them to be brought into the nation. The regulatory regulations that all imported cars must adhere to were not met by the R34.
After the initial production run was completed, a business by the name of MotoRex brought a small quantity of R34s into the nation. The company’s purported use of a legal loophole turned out to be dubious, and the authorities ultimately shut it down. The MotoRex R34s, however, were kept by the clients who had purchased them.
An R34 can only be imported into the country as a “Show and Display” vehicle, which is entirely legal. These rules are meant to apply to vehicles that are part of a private collection or museum. Only a few R34 vehicles, though, have received import approval under these rules.
Can an R34 be made legal?
Sports car fans all over the world crave the revered R34 Nissan GT-R. Even though we are aware that it is now illegal to own one in the US until at least 2024, when the first R34s will be permitted for import under the 25 Year Rule, aficionados continue to hunt for ways around the law. Any day of the week, it’s especially alluring to purchase one in Canada, which is just across the border.
Can an R34, however, be imported lawfully? Are R34s permissible in the United States? Why was it never sold here to begin with? Would you mind driving one over?
In addition, the solutions are applicable to practically any vehicle that is less than 25 years old and was never purchased brand-new in the US.
When can an R34 be purchased in the US?
Federal law prohibits the importation of vehicles not made with the U.S. market in mind until the vehicle is at least 25 years old, barring the drastic alterations mentioned above.
However, many of the safety and emission regulations are reduced or eliminated after that 25-year period.
Fans of the R34 are patiently waiting in the hopes that this will make the cars much more accessible and inexpensive for American drivers.
Since the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 was first unveiled in January 1999, it won’t be possible to import one to the United States until at least 2024.
What does an R34 cost in America?
For instance, this basic R34 is listed at $175,149. But prospective purchasers will need to request a price quote for anything bearing the V-Spec designation.