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!
In This Article...
Was the GT-R R34 prohibited because it was too quick?
HotCars says that the R34’s illegality is due to a commonly held misconception.
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.
A
The fact that this Nissan has a top speed of 200 mph and could easily outrun most police officers is true, but it is not the reason it is forbidden in the United States.
A
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.
Can I bring the Nissan Skyline into the US legally?
First things first, we want to set the record straight and say that several Skyline models offered in the US, mostly under the ‘Infiniti’ brand, are in a whole different league.
You’ve probably heard the untrue allegations that the later-model Nissan Skyline R33 and R34 GT-Rs are currently prohibited from entering the US.
The most frequently cited responses include “Because they’re right-hand drive” and “Because they’re moving so quickly the Police can’t catch them.”
If a vaping Honda owner offers either defense at the neighborhood meet, politely leave the room and give them the link to this article.
First off, the R32’s legalization in the US demonstrates that right-hand drive vehicles are not prohibited there.
Even the US Postal Service has frequently used RHD vehicles, despite the fact that they are by no means ubiquitous, mostly for the ease of access to the curb.
The US import restrictions are completely to blame for the Nissan Skyline’s unlawful importation for usage on public roads for two very straightforward reasons.
Examining the Automotive Gray Market in More Detail
Nissan did not create their Skylines with the US market in mind. The creator of the Skylines, Naganori Ito, was imitating his instructor Shinichiro Sakurai. His task was to design a vehicle that would compete favorably with Porsche in the Japan Grand Prix.
The Skylines’ literal father was this Nissan 2000 GT. It was therefore predicted that when the 2000 GT showed its teeth at the track, everybody would be looking at the 2000 GT’s offspring.
Everyone wanted one after seeing how well it worked. The gray market became relevant at this point.
The gray market first gained popularity during World War II when soldiers fell in love with European automobiles and discovered that importing and maintaining the vehicles to meet US regulations was less expensive than purchasing the automobiles in the US.
People were able to import automobiles from the 1960s to the 1980s as long as they complied with US safety regulations. Gray market importers initially performed a fantastic job of importing cars and modifying them to meet the necessary American standards.
While the majority of gray market importers were legitimate, some discovered legal loopholes and began casually breaking the rules. At that time, illicit exotic vehicles, including the Skyline, were all over the streets.
In spite of the fact that they complied with US safety and pollution regulations, this is what encouraged automakers to pressure Congress into passing the legislation that forbade the import of automobiles from the gray market.
In short, the Skyline became unlawful since it didn’t adhere to the safety standards and laws that the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 established.
It’s interesting to note that the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) gave amnesty for imported vehicles older than 25 years after the statute was passed. This means that the R32 and R33 Skylines can be lawfully imported, but not the R34 until 2024.
Why Can’t I Drive a Nissan Skyline GT-R in the United States?
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:
- 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.
- 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.
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.)
Most fans of the R32, R33, and R34 GT-R waited 25 years!
The Nissan Skyline GT-R has been featured in tuner magazines, Fast and Furious movies, and reports that Canadians first began driving GT-Rs on the road lawfully in the mid-2000s. Yes, the Skyline GT-R is the Japanese GT vehicle that has captured the interest of enthusiasts in the United States and inspired many Nissan aficionados to pursue ownership of one. The GT-R dominated the Group-A Japan Grand Touring races as well as the streets of Tokyo, but we still weren’t able to import the car to the United States. Federal agents have been investigating shady imports by seizing vehicles and closing down illegal importers. The Nissan Skyline GT-R was regarded as an unlawful import in the US. I’ve had a Skyline GT-R for almost 18 years, and throughout that time I’ve seen, driven, and been asked to buy many dubious GT-Rs. But why are they prohibited?
Let’s clarify a few facts first before we continue. The Nissan Skyline comes in a variety of trim levels, including the GTS-T and GT-T, which had a rear-wheel drive system and a single turbo. Other trim levels lacked a turbo or even had AWD. There was even a wagon with a carburetor and the GTS-4 R32 4-door sedan! We felt that the sedan versions of the R33 and the more desirable R34 merely served to confuse the brand. The Skyline GT-R trim and higher variations were the most sought-after as a result, and importers were prepared to engage in extensive criminal action to bring one into the US.
Firstly, a brief history lesson starting in the late 1990s The Skyline was only available in right-hand drive for the Japanese market, and early models lacked side impact beams, side markers, and airbags, all of which jeopardized occupant safety. This meant that it couldn’t be exported outside of Japan, but Hiro Nanahoshi, a Japanese national, founded MotoRex in California with the goal of changing that. MotoRex was the only business at the time attempting to legally import the Skyline GT-R by completing all necessary DOT modifications, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, new VIN plate regulations, and California Air Resource Board criteria (CARB).
MotoRex gained notoriety very rapidly, but the business had a seedy side and a cunning but dishonest proprietor. The general audience is unaware that only the Nissan Skyline GTS with the R33 chassis crashed during the tests. The NHTSA and DOT used this inexpensive car in Japan to complete the frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash tests. The side impact testing for the R33 coupe were unsuccessful, thus the beam was dropped to make it pass in 1999. Despite being authorized, Federal regulators were unaware that MotoRex had later legalized not only R33s but also R32s and the incredibly pricey R34, the majority of which were dressed in GT-R trim. The ruse was successful, and there are over 100 Skyline GT-Rs with DOT approval in the US. After MotoRex failed amid scandal and criminal behavior, these cars became extremely expensive. Even a MotoRex VIN plate is quite important because broken automobiles somehow managed to get back on the road.
Is it prohibited to possess a GTR R34?
There is a widespread misperception that R34 GT-Rs are prohibited in the United States. That’s accurate for the most part, although there are some outliers. Federal legislation states that these vehicles cannot be imported until they are 25 years old, and this restriction includes the month of manufacturing.