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.
The GTR is it legal?
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.
The Nissan GTR is forbidden where?
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. Only in California are you at risk of problems.
What GTR is not prohibited?
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.
Why is the R35 prohibited?
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:
- All of the vehicles are right-hand drive. None are made to US standards.
- 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 is faster than US police cars due to its speed.
- It’s a luxury car on the gray market with features that violate US safety and emissions regulations.
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 GT-R 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 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.
Why does R34 exist?
There is no shortage of offensive or distressing stuff on the internet. Our safety network received a warning earlier this week when numerous young people mentioned “Rule 34” as a possible source of sex-related material. But what exactly is this alleged Rule 34, and could it be harmful to kids and teenagers?
What is Rule 34?
According to Rule 34, whether something is made up or real, there will be a pornographic portrayal of it online. Cartoons, famous people, and objects are all included, and in some instances, these images go much beyond the typical topics seen in mainstream pornography.
Internet users sometimes picture their favorite animation or cartoon characters in sexual fantasies when breaking Rule 34. Sometimes, this is referred to as “fan art.”
In addition, Rule 35 states that if something isn’t already depicted in pornography, it will be at some point.
Where did Rule 34 come from?
The origin of an online practice will always be unknown, similar to many other online trends, phenomena, and themes. According to internet forums, Rule 34 was first published as an online comic book in 2003 as a result of the author’s dissatisfaction over discovering his favorite childhood cartoon characters represented in pornographic fan art.
Since then, Rule 34 has been used as a common hashtag for pornographic fan art and has featured in a large number of online chat rooms, message boards, and forums.
What are the Risks to Children and Young People?
Cartoon characters may be portrayed in extremely violent, sexualized, or compromising ways in pornographic works. Particularly for younger children, who might encounter figures they like or appreciate, these images would probably be upsetting.
Ensure that children and teenagers who have been exposed to “fan art” that has been inspired by Rule 34 are aware that this is not real and that the character they know and love has not changed.
It might be intimidating to discuss harmful online content with young people when you haven’t necessarily seen or experienced it yourself. Talking is crucial, though, and you must approach a subject delicately when you are aware of or believe that it may affect a young person in your care.
What exactly does JDM mean?
The term “Japanese Domestic Market” (JDM) describes the domestic market for automobiles and auto parts in Japan.
[1]
Contrary to popular belief, not all Japanese-branded automobiles fall under the JDM category. JDM refers only to a car built to be sold in Japan. [Reference needed]
When opposed to the American market, where car owners now keep their vehicles for longer periods of time—the average age of the American fleet of cars is 10.8 years[2]—JDM market cars are more affordable. Gray markets and stringent motor vehicle inspections are challenges faced by Japanese owners. The Fdration Internationale de l’Automobile estimates that the average annual mileage of an automobile in Japan is only 9,300 kilometers (5,800 miles), which is less than half of the average annual mileage in the United States of 19,200 kilometers (12,000 miles). [3]
Vehicles made in Japan for the domestic market may be very different from those made there for export or from automobiles constructed elsewhere using the same platforms. Japanese automakers are forced to develop innovative technologies and designs first in domestic automobiles because Japanese car owners prioritize innovation above long-term ownership. For instance, Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management made its debut in the 2003 Honda Inspire. However, VCM, which had a bad image from Cadillac’s attempt in the 1980s with the V8-6-4 engine, was absent from the 2003 Honda Accord V6, which had the same basic car and was primarily aimed for the North American market. The Accord V6’s facelift for 2008 saw the successful introduction of VCM.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) put safety-related limits on JDM cars in 1988, limiting them to 280 horsepower (PS) (276 hp) and a top speed of 180 km/h (111.8 mph). The speed limit of 180 km/h (111.8 mph) was maintained despite the removal of the horsepower cap in 2004.