The rationale behind the R34’s illegality is misconstrued, according to HotCars.
The terrifying two-door coupe had a 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine that was capable of producing 300 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft of torque. Additionally, some enthusiasts claim that it handles better than any sports vehicle in history.
Because of its exceptional performance, the Skyline GT-R R34 was allegedly prohibited because American police cars could not keep up with it.
Although the 200 mph top speed of this Nissan may leave most police officers in the dust, that isn’t the reason it’s outlawed in the United States.
Nissan never intended for its Skyline GT-R series cars to be sold in the United States because the Japanese automaker was unsure at the time of how American sports car fans would react to an import.
The American FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) laws and emissions testing were not taken into consideration when it was constructed. Owning one is still prohibited for this reason.
In This Article...
In the US, is it OK to buy a Nissan Skyline R34?
There is a widespread misperception that R34 GT-Rs are prohibited in the United States. That is generally true, although there are some exceptions. Federal legislation states that these vehicles cannot be imported until they are 25 years old, and this restriction includes the month of manufacturing.
Nissan Skyline is it legal in the US?
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!
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.
What is the price of an 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.
What Skyline is the least expensive?
The Nissan Skyline’s R32 generation, which replaced the R30 and R31, debuted in 1989. Sedans and coupes were still present, some with sta…
The Nissan Skyline’s R32 generation, which replaced the R30 and R31, debuted in 1989. Despite the continued production of sedans and coupes, some of which featured staid four-cylinder engines, this generation is most recognized for the GT-R nameplate’s reintroduction. The 2.6-liter RB26DETT twin-turbo six-cylinder engine of the R32 GT-R was coupled with all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. With at least 276 horsepower, the R32 gained notoriety as “Godzilla,” the Japanese monster. The GTS, GTS-25, and GTS-t were some of the other noteworthy variations. The R32 GT-R was produced until 1994, even though the normal R32 Skyline’s manufacture ceased in 1993. The R33 Nissan Skyline, the following version of the Nissan Skyline, was unveiled in 1993.
A: On August 13, 2021, a 1994 Nissan Skyline-R R32 GT-R Vspec II sold for $150,000.
A 1992 Nissan Skyline Sedan sold for $8,800 on April 14th, 2018, according to sales records.
How much did a new R34 GT-R cost?
A new R34 cost $45,000 in 1999; in 2021, that amount would be closer to $71,000. Prices have gradually increased as a result of decreasing production levels, rarer varieties, and a renewed interest in both JDM cars and 1990s vehicles.
What is the GT-R Skyline’s price?
The base MSRP for the 2021 Nissan (Skyline) GT-top R’s variant is $113,540. The base MSRP for NISMO trims is $210,740.
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How come R35 isn’t a Skyline?
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 on 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 original 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.
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.