But they got the joke. The NHTSA gave import automobiles older than 25 years of age amnesty in 1998. So even though it doesn’t comply with requirements, you can now import any Nissan Skyline that was manufactured in 1995 or earlier.
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How can I buy a Nissan Skyline legally?
Finding a pre-built race car that has previously participated in a renowned racing series outside of the US is another option you’ll have when importing an R34 Skyline, in addition to the “Show and Display” regulations (or loopholes).
Unfortunately, you’ll need to make sure you have a document from Nissan confirming that the vehicle you want was made exclusively for racing, in which case you won’t be allowed to legally drive it until the 25-year restriction takes effect.
This is undoubtedly a dangerous strategy because registering it for road use later on won’t be as simple as you might imagine, but if you’re prepared to put in the work, numerous enthusiasts have shown that it is achievable.
While it may be tempting, we’d personally prefer to wait until 2024 arrives in order to avoid any potential problems and complexities that may arise.
Are you curious about the Nissan Skyline’s past? Everything you need to know is covered in this excellent video by Donut Media!
Are skylines uncommon?
The Z-tune, R400, and, of course, Brian O’Conner’s electric blue R34 from 2 Fast 2 Furious are a few particularly uncommon Nissan Skylines. But there is only one Godzilla that is genuinely as uncommon as a unicorn: the magnificent R33 LM.
The silhouette of this squat, wide-arched R33 may be recognizable to Gran Turismo players from the opening movie of the first game. Since then, every episode of the racing franchise has featured a similar vehicle. But unlike the fantasy realm of pixels where several copies can coexist, there is only one hard copy in existence.
It is kept at Nissan’s magnificent Zama DNA garage. A carefully crafted toy box stuffed to the gills with the Japanese manufacturer’s back catalog. We also met the LM there for a brief one-on-one conversation.
We begged and begged to be allowed to drive it, but that was not possible. Even Carlos Ghosn, the biggest of all Nissan bigwigs and chairman, president, and CEO, has never been permitted to operate a vehicle.
Even still, we continued to plead, threaten, and even consider stealing it in order to experience driving without a PlayStation controller.
What is the value of an R34 Skyline?
Currently, base-model r34 Skyline GT Rs rarely sell for less than $100,000, while the rarest models, like the V or M spec Nurs, fetch over $300,000 at auction.
The R35 should be a skyline, why not?
One of the most renowned Japanese performance cars of all time is the Nissan Skyline GT-R.
The “Godzilla” (see here why the Skyline GT-R is called as Godzilla) has come to represent strength and performance throughout the course of several different generations.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R has become one of the most coveted names in Japanese performance driving despite being illegal in the United States at the time (see our article on why Nissan Skylines are illegal in the United States).
You probably already know that Nissan stopped producing the R34 Skyline generation in 2002 (for more information, see our buying guide for the R34 GT-R).
The skyline actually kept going after that and is still going today, but it is now what is known as the “New Generation Skyline,” which is very different from the past skylines. The new Skyline is more well-known in America as a line of Infiniti vehicles, including the Infiniti G35:
This New Generation Skyline was mainly focused on giving a premium touring car experience and never included a GT-R variant.
Due to the overwhelming demand from auto enthusiasts, the R35 GT-R was debuted in 2007 and is still in production today.
Indeed, the R34 GT-R was the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, to give an example.
What makes the Nissan GT-R of today the Nissan Skyline GT-R R35? After all, any car sporting those distinctive taillights must be a Skyline!
The reason the R35 GT-R is not a Skyline is rather straightforward, in case you’re wondering.
Earlier GT-Rs (such as the R32, R33, and R34) were built on the Skyline platform of that generation.
Consider the R32 GT-R, which was offered in a variety of trim levels and engine/gearbox combinations, including as a sedan.
Nissan used that generation’s Skyline base to build the R32 GT-R (the original “Godzilla”), turning everything up to 11.
There is no platform overlap with the existing Skyline (known in America as the Infiniti Q50). The R35 GT-R is a “standalone” vehicle, as opposed to the previous generations of GT-Rs, which were all the pinnacle of the applicable Skyline platform.
Although the R35 GT-R is essentially the spiritual successor to previous Skyline GT-Rs, Nissan opted not to utilize the Skyline brand due to the distinctive platform.
What GT-R is the cheapest?
The 2021 Nissan GT-R Premium 2dr Coupe AWD is the model with the lowest price (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM). It has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of around $113,540 when destination charges are added.
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 initial Nissan Skyline GT-R R34a models weren’t released until January 1999, they won’t be allowed into the United States until at least 2024.
Is there an R34 with left-hand drive?
With the exception of a few sparse sales in the UK, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand, Nissan solely offered the Nissan Skyline for sale in Japan. Since right-hand drive vehicles are the norm in each of these nations, a left-hand drive version was never required.
But what can one do when some countries’ regulations forbid right-hand drive automobiles? Henri Helanto was the first person we are aware of to own a left-hand drive R32 GT-R. In the late 90s and early 2000s, he constructed an automobile by himself. During the same period, some vehicles had been switched to left-hand drive throughout the Middle East.
When MotoRex certified and imported the Nissan Skyline, they were not required to adjust the driver’s position because the US does not mandate left-hand drive vehicles. The right-hand-drive vehicles were right-hand-drive crash tested by MotoRex, and they are allowed to be driven as such in the US.
Not everyone feels at ease driving a right-hand-drive JDM vehicle in a left-hand-drive environment. We are aware of an R33 and an R34 GT-R that were left-hand drive conversions in the US. As far as we know, the R33 GT-R was sold and is still in the US. After being heavily modified in Australia, the R34 GT-R was then exported to the Philippines.
The US was responsible for this R34 GT-R. The intention of the person who did it was to convert it into a company, but in the early 2000s, there wasn’t much of a market for a left-hand drive Nissan Skyline.
Who would be interested in owning an R32, R33, or R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R with left-hand drive? Some people consider it to be blasphemous, while others simply wish to be able to operate a vehicle. Drive-through lanes, tolls, and left turns would all at least be simple. Passing would also be a little bit simpler on two-lane roads. However, we believe that a tiny number of people would truly desire to purchase or convert a Nissan Skyline to left-hand drive if it were not required by law.
When will the R34 be allowed on US roads?
Any car must first pass government emissions and crash safety standards in order to be allowed to enter the country legally. Nissan didn’t do that with the Skyline until the R35 generation, meaning all R34-generation models, including the renowned GT-R, will not be allowed to be driven on American roads until they are at least 25 years old.
Cars that are prohibited from importation and registration in the United States remain so until they are 25 years old because to long-standing classic vehicle rules. The first legally permitted sales of R34 Nissan Skylines in the United States will take place in 2024 because the R34 was created between 1999 and 2002. The procedure for importing the car from Canada is actually pretty easy once that date has passed.
The R34 is accepted in the US.
10 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec II is still illegal Unless it comes 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.
Why is the r34 prohibited?
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).
To be on the safe side, there are no laws that prevent you from importing a Nissan Skyline as a “show piece” that isn’t allowed to be driven on the road but instead sits in your garage. However, we have heard stories of people looking to buy and store Nissan Skylines with a view to registering and complying them once they turn 25 years old in the hopes of increasing 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!
What is the import rule of 25 years?
bringing in a car with a minimum age of 25 years. It is legal to import vehicles into the United States that are at least 25 years old, regardless of whether they adhere to all applicable FMVSS.