Nissan Skyline GTR's in the USA blog

NISSAN PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL AUTO SPORT ASSOCIATION TO CREATE NEW SPEC Z SERIES
Popular 350Z will be the basis of cost-effective racing program

Nissan North America and The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) are pleased to announce the creation of an all-new Spec Z series that will feature the Nissan 350Z®. The NASA Spec Z class will include all trim levels of the 2003-2008 year model Nissan 350Z in a single classification focused on close competition, parity and cost containment that will showcase driving ability and car setup skills.

NASA Spec Z will offer a comprehensive contingency prize program that will reward both Regional and National Championship competitors. Nissan Motorsports will provide significant support for the series, and their contingency prize program provides cash rewards up to $850 for the top three finishers at each regional competition weekend. Additionally, Nissan Motorsports will provide $6,500 in cash support to the top Spec Z finishers at the 2012 NASA Championships.

BFGoodrich tires will be the control tire for the Spec Z class, and BFG has also created a generous contingency prize program for the series. More contingency prize programs for the Spec Z class are being finalized for the series and will be announced shortly.

"We are very excited about Spec Z,” said Jeremy Croiset, NASA Sponsorship Manager. “We have been working closely with Nissan Motorsports on the creation of Spec Z, and it will be an excellent series for anyone looking to step into a spec vehicle that’s fast and relatively inexpensive to build, maintain and race. With the fantastic contingency prize programs that are being provided for Spec Z, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding spec series to race in. We look forward to watching Spec Z grow and flourish in the coming years as more racers adopt this new formula.”

Ron Stukenberg, Senior Manager, Motorsports Marketing Communications, Nissan North America agrees, and adds, “NASA has a proven track record of growing classes from the ground up, so we are excited to be working with NASA on the new Spec Z series. We have a number of competitors already expressing interest in the series, so the potential for this series is very strong indeed. With our Nissan Motorsports Competition Parts Program and comprehensive contingency prize programs, we are looking to make this a strong offering for those interested in stepping into a very competitive spec series racing the iconic Z car.”

For complete details on the new series rules, please visit http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules.

For details on the newly-announced contingency programs for the Spec Z series, please visit http://www.nasaproracing.com/contingency.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 and 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.Infiniti.com.

Visit the NISMO performance parts and accessories site at http://www.nissanusa.com/nismo/

Join the Nissan Performance Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/nissanperformance

About National Auto Sport Association (NASA)
The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) was formed in 1991 to deliver high quality motorsports events to enthusiasts at major racing venues throughout the nation. NASA has created programs that allow owners of both racecars and high-performance street-driven vehicles to enjoy the full performance capabilities of their cars in a safe and controlled environment. NASA offers many different programs that will allow you to enjoy motorsports on a number of different levels, including our High Performance Driving Events (HPDE), Rally Sport, Time Trial, NASA-X and Competition Racing programs.

Source: Nissan News

Updated with Peterborough Examiner info.

According to this newspaper article, and the NICO forums, Jeremy Boddy has been arrested and charged with eight counts of fraud.

When the each realized car seller was not able to deliver on their purchase, the incidents were reported to police. Police say eight victims were defrauded of $81,056 in total.
Jeremy Roger Boddy, 34, of Neptune Street, is charged with eight counts of fraud over $5,000.
He was released from custody and will appear in court this Friday (Jan. 27).  Some more information from the Peterborough Examiner and Galen Eagle. The author managed to talk to several of the people allegedly scammed by Jeremy Boddy.  Not only were some scammed for deposits, but many for thousands more.  The police compared some of what Boddy was doing to a Ponzi scheme.


In an email to The Examiner, alleged victim Michael Holton of Texas said he paid Boddy in 2009 to import a Toyota Supra from Japan to the United States.
“He knew everything there was to importing…and even gave me a couple of people to call as referrals,” Holton said. “As soon as I wired him the money to get my car, I had a hard time getting a hold of him.”

I have been onto this guy, Jeremy, for a long time. His MO is a slick website, and $2,000-$3,000 deposits on cars.  He used a few company names over the years. Drift Tuners, JDM Experts, and Used JDM. . He made a lot of claims of what he did, who he was working with. He still managed to scam people, and live off other peoples money for years. Its a shame.

People just don't want to believe someone with a lot of experience in importing. They always want to take the easy way out, whether its weight loss or importing cars.   If there were some kind of loophole, or easy way, I would have found it, and I would be using it.  However, there isn't and there isn't an easy legal way to import cars until they are over 25 years old for the DOT and 21 years old for the EPA.  If you can't wait, then be prepared for the consequences.

Drift Tuners are back, and trying to scam more people. Watch out. I have been in contact with several people that have given Drift Tuners and Jeremy Boddy money on cars and never got a car. This guy is just continuing to scam people and bilk them out of money. Don't let yourself be a victim to this guy.

http://www.torontonissan.ca/forums/showthread.php?p=58181

Using the JDM Experts Name. And posting yesterday. $2k deposits on cars.

http://jdmexperts.com/

Slick official looking website. Don't get caught up in this scam. Here are some examples of the lies that Jeremy Boddy put out over the years. Its much easier to get some suckers to send you money, than actually do the work for importation. 
 Check out this email from Jeremy.

"We now offer DOT & EPA imports for U.S. street use which also includes a U.S. title. For more information please call us at 1-866-847-1407. This includes the Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline R33 and R34 from 1996 through 1998 and the Silvia S13, S14 and S15. We currently are updating the website to include the DOT, EPA and title within the price of our U.S. sales. Call or email us for more info. Our process no longer will include J.K. Tech, LLC. Therefore reducing the overall cost saving you money. Our process is $5,000 vs the $26,000 that J.K. Tech charges.


Jeremy Boddy
General Director"

Nice. $5000 with a title. Anyone that has actually ever even tried to get a title for a imported car, knows you are going to spend a lot of money. Just EPA work and compliance, and you are nearly at $5k.

I wonder what happened between them and JK. Have to follow up on this. These guys are just full of it.

I had an email the other day from someone that said they sent Drift Tuners $2000 for a deposit on a car. They had a lot of problems getting a hold of them after they sent the money. The car they wanted wasn't available, so the buyer found another, as they could not get a hold of Jeremy. I haven't heard if it had been settled, but I am sure that is how this kid is working. Just scamming one person after another.
Source: myKawartha , Peterborough Examiner and NICO

Review of the STILLEN GT-R piloted by Steve Millen racing through the twisty roads of the Targa Rally New Zealand. Video by Black Magic Media: http://www.blackmagicmedia.com.au/ Nissan GT-R vs Helicopter Round 1

How much is a Nissan GT-R worth?  How about a Nismo Z-Tune R34 GT-R build #1?

This car in Australia, is listed on eBay for 1,000,000. I think they missed a zero somewhere. Its a very unique car, one of twenty built, but perhaps 1/4 of what they are asking would be about the upper limit of realistic. This is just redonkulous.
One of only 20 Z-Tunes

The seller - 959bobby hasn't sold anything on eBay in a couple of years, and the last things he bought are a bit oddThere are 19 days left on the listing, so I would think you would want some due diligence before you go and drop $1,000,000 on a 2005 Nissan.

KIPPENBERGER DRONE SHOWREEL 2011 from christopher kippenberger on Vimeo.
This is pretty cool. Great way to use some of what is availalbe now, to make some great footage. Helicopters, planes, and blimps have been used for years for sports coverage. Now with the advent of cheap planes, cheap cameras, and in some cases even live streaming, get some new views and new takes on events.

This video was produced by German firm Kippenberger, which is looking to bring affordable airborne videos to ze German car scene. Renting a helicopter for the day can cost up to $50,000 before the red tape of arranging air space permits. Drones could be flying at Cars and Coffee tomorrow.

"I am interested in the new wave of car filming similar to what Brainfarm did for snowboarding," Kippenberger tells Jalopnik. "I believe it is time to start rethinking how to bring car visuals like Intersection did for print. There are few guys out there doing it — tangentvector is one of them — they inspire me to break free for the shackles of Top Gear thinking, which is basically a tv format from yesteryear, and go for some newer ideas."

Early one morning at Willow Springs, the DG Spec Scion. Testing out the lights for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 N1 race car on Ebay.  I worked on this car in 2005 and 2006. Since late 2006, the car has been sittting, and a friend volunteered to clean it up and sell it.  Its in Florida now, one of two legal Nissan Skyline GT-R race cars we had. One was the ex Fujitusbo car, and the other the ex Altia car




AEM EMS STAND ALONE ENGINE COMPUTER CARBON FIBER DRIVESHAFT OHLINS FULL ADJUSTABLE COILOVERS SUPER TAIKYU SPEC RACE VERSION ABS COMPUTER WITH WET DRY SWITCH SUPER TAIKYU ALL WHEEL DRIVE COMPUTER WITH STANDING START LAUNCH CONTROL CUSTOM BUILT TO ORDER VOLK TE37 TIME ATTACK WHEELS IN 18X11 AP RACING AIR JACK SYSTEM ORGINALLY INSTALLED BY NISMO MOTEC ADL2 DASH BREMBO GRAN TORISMO BRAKES TILTON TRIPLE PLATE CARBON CLUTCH CARBON DOORS,FENDERS,BUMPERS,SIDE SKIRTS,HOOD,AND TRUNK HOLINGER 6 SPEED SEQUENTIAL TRANSMISSION 1 OF 2 GT-R RACED IN THE UNITED STATES,THE OTHER BEING THE ALTIA SUPER TAIKYU CAR MULTIPLE PODIUM FINISHES IN THE SUPER TAIKYU SERIES WITH ALL THE CARBON FIBER BODYWORK THE CAR WEIGHT IS 3,050 LBS
*SERIOUS INQUIRES ONLY!
CONTACT CHIP VAN VURST AT             (954) 410-9883 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (954) 410-9883      end_of_the_skype_highlighting       or chipvan01@gmail.com
THE CAR IS LOCATED IN SOUTH FLORIDA CLICK THESE LINKS BELOW TO SEE SOME OF THE HISTORY OF THIS CAR: http://files.automotiveforums.com/media/v/AFGT-RN1+History/TotomuFujitsubo232001/ http://files.automotiveforums.com/media/v/AutomotiveForumscom2004-2005/

2012 Nissan GTR Some highlights of the Nissan GT-R in 2011. The 2012 US model was released. A GT-R from AMS did a 8 second quarter mile, and 216.9 mph in a standing mile. 2013 rumors were out as soon as June. 

Motorex 1993 Nissan Skyline GTR. It does have the bond release and supporting paperwork. The car has 47,000 miles on it and had less than 2000 miles put on it since 2003 from the previous owner where it sat most of its time in at a shop or in a warehouse. The bottom end is stock while the head had a pair of Apex 276 9.6mm lift intake/exhaust cams and Apex Adjustable Cam Gears installed followed by a Nismo 1.2mm Metal Headgasket and ARP Head Studs.

It has a Greddy T78 Single turbo with all HKS hard piping blowing through a real HKS 4 row intercooler and oil cooled by a Greddy/ Grex oil cooler and relocation kit. The car is painted a Honda S2000 silver, The side molding and rear bumper on the car is a Real Veilside CI body-kit parts. Got rid of the Veilside front bumper. The car made 497whp at 18psi at an very safe 11.0 AFR. Since then the turbo was rebuilt. The car can now be dialed in for more power with no problem. Most of the parts have very little miles on the car. I may retune it soon for 550 awhp - 650awhp, depending on how much interest I get in it. The car will be fully inspected before sold, unless we work a deal out as is.

A list of modifications that come to over $25,000 that have been done to the car are as follows:
Greddy T78 Turbo Kit $$$$$
Greddy External Wastegate (extremely loud!!!!)
3.5" Turbo Back Custom Exhaust
Tein adjustable Suspension and cross drilled rotor Brake Setup
Heldfeld 18x10.5 wheels w/ 265-35-18's all around (tires are decent all the way around)
Sard 2.5L Fuel Pump
Bosche 044 in trunk pump
Sard Fuel Pressure Regulator
1000cc RC Engineering injectors
Apex 276 9.6mm lift intake/exhaust cams
Apex Adjustable Cam Gears
Nismo reinforced Timing Belt
Nismo N1 Water Pump
Nismo N1 Oil Pump
OS Giken Crossmission Gear Set w/ input shaft $$$$$
Nismo Triple plate cluch $$$$ (easy to drive, unlike other triple plates)

ARP Head Studs
Greddy/ Grex Oil coolor/relocation kit
Dual Blitz Blow off Valves
Nismo 1.2mm Metal Headgasket
HKS Intercoolor $$$$
Blitz EGT/Oil Pressure/Boost gauges
Motec PLM Wideband O2 Sensor
Apex Power FC Standalone ECU
Apex Power FC Hand Controller
Fc Datalogit Software
Nissan 300zx Mass Air flow sensors
All new Factory Gaskets.
HKS DLi Ignition amplifier



The bads are: (which is very minor)

The car was repainted but still traces of the old color in little spots in the door jams

The previous owner took out the a/c because of where he lived. I bought what's needed to have a/c again. Just not put in.

The previous owner installed the cams and the cam seals leak a little oil. Did not get around to it because the swap was going to happen but didn't


There aren't many TRULY LEGAL Nissan Skylines around. This is the best deal out there, period for a Motorex car with this many mods. There is one similar in California for $40,000 and it is not a single turbo with as many modifications as mine has on. This will be a great car for someone. And if you want to offer a trade, it must be $40k for a trade.

Over the last twelve or so years I have been working with Nissan Skyline GT-Rs and I have been a fan of the car for even longer. Last year, the 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R turned 21 years old, I even made it a video about it. This is significant in regards to importing to the US, as a car that is 21 years old is exempt from Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) standards. However, as with many things run by the government, the National Highway Transport Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires vehicles to be over 25 years old to be exempt. Its one of those things that makes no sense, but just accept that is the way that it is. Questioning it does no good, but giving you a headache.
1990 Nismo GT-R The Nismo R32 GT-R was sold as a homologation special for racing starting February 22,1990. 560 total cars were produced, only 500 were sold to the public. This meant that the car was going to be 21 years old, February 22, 2011. The 500 total cars, and the fact that it was meant as a base for the race cars meant that it was a perfect candidate for the Show or Display exemption. Show or Display was a rule that allowed for certain historically or technologically significant vehicles to be imported to the US on a permanent basis without meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards. The rules allow for the cars to be driven up to 2500 miles per year, but they still need to meet EPA standards. 
Now that the Nismo R32 is over 21 years old, it seemed like a good time to put in an application for Show or Display. Recently I had someone pick me up a copy of the FIA Homologation paperwork for the R32 GT-R. The paperwork contained lots of interesting pictures and information, and also part of my basis for my application for Show or Display.
So with the 21st birthday of the Nismo R32 come and gone, I wrote up a cover letter, put it together with some pictures, the FIA homologation paperwork on the car, and sent it to the NHTSA in Washington, DC. I gave it about a month and called the NHTSA to check the progress of the application, left a voicemail. Nothing. About a week later, called again left another voicemail, nothing.
This is to be expected. As with any government agency, you can hardly expect them to call you back, to give you an update on a project. Even if you leave them your phone number, email address, and call several times over a several week time frame. Another month goes by. Call a few more times, leave some more voicemails. Maybe, they might think, that I will give up. I have other things to do, but I am just doing this to prove a point.
The NHTSA has already set a precedent with the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Show or Display. They approved a 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec "early version". Interesting, I consider myself to be pretty well versed in the Nissan GT-R, and especially the R34, and I have never heard of that car. The report from the NHTSA was that no R34 had ever been imported under that rule, as they can not meet EPA requirements. The last time I spoke with them, back in July 2009, I had a 20 minute conversation about all things imported, and Nissan Skyline, I knew then that the "Nissan Skyline" was a bad word at the NHTSA.
In all these years, it seems a lot of people on forums, and in the world, just don't understand that the Nissan Skyline is a dirty word, its a target for people at all levels of government. The more that people want it, like illegal drugs, the more people that try and import it, and the more people that will break the law doing it. So to go over that again:
Nissan Skyline = Dirty Word
However, that just makes it more of a challenge. If it were easy, everyone could do it.
So back to the NHTSA. Its June 2011, and I decided to give them a call again. This time, my call just went to the general mail box, and I left a voicemail. June 7th, someone called me back. I explained the situation, and they patched me though to the right guy- Dick Merritt (202)366-5300.
It was a weird conversation, as I was expecting most of the same topics to come up. It was the same things I have been talking about over the years. Things I try to explain to people. He really didn't want to have anything to do with the Skyline. Dick Merritt has mentioned to me several times that "I have no idea why anyone would want one of those things." He also mentioned to me that they are "rocketships." Our conversation went around and around, but in the end we talked about how to identify the individual cars, we went over a few things in the petition, and talked about the Show or Display process. At the end of the conversation he told me to "not hold my breath".


Its December 2011, I am sick of waiting. I can't say I have been following up on this as much as I could have. I have called and left a few messages in the last few weeks, with of course, no response. I am pretty much giving the Nismo Show or Display application up as a lost cause, so the best course of action, would be to ask all of you to call up Dick Merritt, call up his boss Coleman Sachs, and ask whats going on. If this was your job to answer applications like this you should have been fired long ago. No official answers. No official questions. Nothing. Just them repeating that Nissan Skyline is a dirty word.


So please, call now, call often. Ask whats going on. (202)366-5291 main number at the OVSC for vehicle imports.


http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety/Who+to+Contact+in+OVSC

Dick Merritt, 366-5300
- Show or Display Exemption
- Temporary Importation for research, investigations, demonstrations, or training
- Importation of Small Motor Scooters pocket bikes, mini-ninjas, mini-choppers, etc.)
- Importation of Race Vehicles
- Unconventional Vehicles



Please make them at least give me an official response on this. I am almost certain now, the answer will be no. However, we will all know the real reason it will be no, is nothing more than the whim of Dick Merritt and others at the NHTSA/DOT/ OVSC. Share this everywhere you can.
Technological Significance of the 1990 Nissan Nismo Skyline GT-R

The 1990 Nissan Nismo Skyline GT-R “Nismo” should be eligible for Show or Display based on its technological significance and low production figures. The Nismo was launched on February 22, 1990 as a base model for Nissan's Group A and N1 racing cars.

Out of a  total of 560 cars1 produced, only 500 cars were sold to the public, 60 cars were held back by Nissan for racing. Even though there were more than 500 total cars produced, this car is of exceptional significance because of its race history and following world wide.   The Nismo has a unique chassis code, making them immediately identifiable. BNR32-100000 though BNR32-100560. 2

The Nismo has several unique differences from the normal Nissan Skyline GT-R that were done so the car could be homolgated for Group A and N1 racing . These differences distinguish it from the normal Nissan Skyline GT-R’s.

1 Dennis Gorodji, Nissan GT-R Supercar Born to Race (Dorset, Veloce,2009) 37
    2 GT-R Magazine, Kotsu Times Sha Co. LTD 2011/March , Issue 97 136

I saw this ad on Jalopnik for a Toyota Yaris, and I had to laugh. Pretty funny.  Goes from "A" to "B" and back. They are not selling excitement, just selling a point A to point B ride.  Its kind of like - "why lie, why try and make it exciting?"

The Department of Homeland Security spends a shockingly disproportionate amount of its budget not on security initiatives, but on customs seizures. In particular, importers of grey-market vehicles have been targeted by monies taxpayers have intended to be used to secure our country against terrorism and terrorist activity. We call upon the Executive Branch to immediately cease this wasteful activity, and furthermore to change the DOT/EPA exemption time on grey-market vehicles from 25 years to 15 years (to match the vehicle regulations of Canada), recognizing that the 25-year rule was enacted due to support from special interests such as Mercedes Benz North America.

"The grey market was successful enough that it ate significantly into the business of Mercedes-Benz of North America and their dealers. The corporation launched a successful million-dollar congressional lobbying effort to stop private importation of vehicles not officially intended for the U.S. market"

"The Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act was passed in 1988, effectively ending private import of grey-market vehicles to the United States. No evidence was presented that grey-import vehicles' safety performance differed significantly from that of US models, and there have been allegations of improper lobbying, but the issue has never been raised in court."

This is the reason your Nissan Skyline is illegal. 

Pro Superstars Craig Stanton and Ryan Eversley Join Dan Gardner and Scott Webb   LONG BEACH, Calif. — As the longest road race in North America, the 25 Hours of Thunderhill requires a solid driver lineup to be successful.  Veteran pro endurance racer Craig Stanton and Gram-Am standout Ryan Eversley will join team owner/driver Dan Gardner as well as regular Scott Webb to handle driving duties at the prestigious event.    “Our DG-Spec Scion tC racecars have raced about everywhere possible on both a club and pro level,” said Dan Gardner. “Still, we’ve never taken on the 25-Hour, and I wanted to ensure we had the very best guys behind the wheel.  I can’t think of two better drivers than Craig Stanton and Ryan Eversley, and it’s our honor to have this caliber of driving talent on the team.”   Stanton has won the 25-Hour overall, and clearly knows what it takes to win the event.  He has won the 2004 Koni Challenge GS Championship as well as the 2005 Rolex GT Championship, and has wins in nearly every conceivable sports car pro series in North America, including ALMS.   “I drove the Scion with Dan in Grand-Am in a huge 50-car ST field a few years back,” recalls Stanton.  “I’ve always thought about coming back to drive for Dan and Scion.  This is that chance.  As far as development goes, I’d put this DG-Spec team up against any in the paddock, and I’m beyond excited to be a part of the whole thing.”   In 2004, Eversley competed in ALMS in the extremely quick LMP2 class, taking one win during the season.  In 2010, he claimed eight top-five finishes in Grand-Am’s ST class.  This past Grand-Am season, Eversley really came into his own, finishing second in the standings for ST, a scant three points away from the championship.   “I’ve run against Dan as a competitor in the past, and I’m excited to join DG-Spec and Scion Racing.  I’ve never run the 25, but have done the 24 Hours of Daytona four times,” explained Eversley.  “From what I’ve seen, I think we’re going to have the most tested car in the class, and I’m thrilled to represent the team and the brand.”   The 25 Hours of Thunderhill takes place in Willows, California the first week of December.  It begins at 11 a.m. Pacific on Saturday, December 3rd, and the checker will fly at high noon on Sunday, December 4th.  Information on the event as well as live timing and scoring can be viewed at www.NASA25Hour.com.    Photos, videos, and updates on the team can be found on DG-Spec’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/DG-Spec/202937143062874 as well as their YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/DanGardnerSpec.    The DG-Spec team uses and is supported by:   • Scion-supplied OE parts
• TRD front big brake kit
• Garrett by Honeywell GTX-series turbocharger
• Burns Stainless exhaust and aluminum intake
• OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Dezod-supplied turbo kit, AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, fuel rail, and injectors
• Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning
• Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps
• Enkei RPF-1 17x8 wheels
• Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks
• Vogtland springs
• DG-Spec Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits
• Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant
• Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear
• Racepak IQ3 logger dash and VNET sensors
• AEM sensors, fuel pressure regulator, boost solenoid, EMS, and dry flow air filter
• Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights
• America’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing
• Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses
• Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel
• AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch
• Goodridge complete suite of fittings and lines
• Carbotech Performance Brakes
• G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, window nets, and other safety and crew gear
• Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts
• HoseTechniques silicone hoses
• NST Braille batteries, and shifter bushings
• SquareSkull designs   DG-Spec is a line of parts designed and endorsed by National Champion Scion road racer Dan Gardner. Gardner draws up the specifications for the parts himself. The parts are then tested and proven on the track. The goal of DG-Spec is to provide enthusiasts with parts that have been developed on the track and that have significant performance advantages at an honest price. Parts are offered either in hardcore track trim, identical to what Gardner and his team race with, or in Gardner-specified standards more appropriate for enthusiast use on the street. www.DanGardnerSpec.com.

I see this a lot.  This is one recent post on NAGTROC from a member, on a 1999 GT-T Skyline he is selling.
Fast and Furiousssssssssssssss I'm trading a 1999 GT-T R34 Nissan Skyline in MINT condition! It has 34k miles on it! Also, it is FULLY LEGAL in USA! Tagged, Licensed, Registered!
Now here is the problem, you have an owner, a seller trying to sell a car, and they are claiming it is a legal car, but no proof.  So what kind of proof?  What kind of paperwork are you looking for on a legally imported car?

I will try and arm you with some information, and questions to ask, and some paperwork to look for.  Is the vehicle on the vehicle import eligibility list? If its not on the list, how is someone claiming that the car is legal? Is the car over 25 years old? If it is then it is exempt if imported correctly, and in original configuration.

The first thing you are looking for, is what is called a Bond Release.  The Bond Release doesn't really say much, but it releases the vehicle that was legally imported by a Registered Importer.  Here is a copy of a letter you can obtain from the DOT, NHTSA, OVSC. That is Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Vehicle Safety and Compliance.  They can be reached at (202)366-5291. I still have that number memorized after 12 years.
 The bond release does not actually say the car is legal, rather that the bond that is paid to ensure compliance is released. This is as close as you get to the NHTSA saying an imported car is legal.
My copy of  Code of Federal Regulations. Its seen some use.
In addition to the DOT/NHTSA, you also have the EPA, or Environmental Protection agency to satisfy. When the vehicle was imported, a 3520-1 should have been completed. You should at least try and get a copy of the EPA paperwork.  Underneath the hood, you should be looking for an EPA compliance sticker, with information on the company that did the compliance.  At 21 years old, in its original configuration, a car is legal to import and exempt from EPA requirements. This means that 1989, and 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R's are EPA exempt.

Porsche 959 BAR label for CARB If you are in California, there will be an additional label, a BAR label. California is an entire blog post, an entire book of its own. It has its own requirements, its own testing. Its not impossible, but its very difficult. Read difficult as time consuming and expensive. So its not likely that a car has a BAR label. Most people are very proud of the label, I know I am.


People try and import cars everyday. Most are not even aware that they are doing something wrong. Lots of cars make it though customs though subterfuge, and others just fall though the cracks. Many of them get seized.  

Anyone trying to sell a legal car will have all this paperwork at their fingertips. If they don't then something is wrong, and don't buy the car unless you want to take the risk of possible seizure.


Source: NAGTROC

Godzilla Motorsports managed a best pass of 7.60@180 mph recently, putting it at the #2 spot in the world behind the Heat Treatments R32.

Mark piloted the Godzilla Motorsports R32 GT-R to a 7.60 @ 180mph (into a strong headwind) making it the second quickest GT-R in the world, beating HKS at 7.67 and now only trailing the Heat Treatments GT-R at 7.56.

Video from Dragtimes.info. This looks like the Moscow 500, and in this video a left hand drive R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R goes up against a Bugatti Veyron.   I am still trying to figure out how they figure who wins, but it looks like lowest ET to the mile, maybe highest speed?  They list reaction time, but it doesn't seem to come into play.  Check out the video, and listen to the sounds of an RB26, the sweet song of an inline 6 at high revs.

Ford RS200 Evolution Model only 192 miles. One of my favorite cars other than the GT-R. Its an odd little thing, the RS200, all wheel drive, turbocharged. They came in several forms, and this one is the top of the top fastest 600 hp version. 0-60 in 3.1 seconds. Truely a car well before its time. It looks like 1986, but goes like 2011.
The bid right now is $110k, but reserve not met. It says its one of only 24 Evolution editions. Its over 25 years old now, so it could actually be street legal. http://www.importavehicle.com

One seized Skyline GT-R 1050 signatures 11-12-11
Not sure how this will really effect anything, but Toby started it, and I will help to spread it around a bit.  Its going to require much more than a simple online petition to do much. No one really cares about a bunch of old cars.  Then when they do care, you just end up with Prius lovers bashing the old "turbocharged, gas eating, dangerous, blah, blah" whatever they can come up with.

It has a goal of 25k signatures. It has 117 with my name on it now.  Head over sign up, sign in, and put a name on it.   The laws can be changed, and this is one step, but in order to do it, a lot more would have to be done. Anything is possible, it just all requires money.

I figured it felt like the right time to throw a bit of effort behind it. I know a lot of people, that know a lot of people, that know a lot of people.

What we really need is about 1,000 people a day signing the petition. People forget, mean to do it, don't get around to it, so the people that care, and are trying to make it happen, have to make sure those people sign up. Just takes a couple minutes, and it might be the start for a movement.

Car enthusiasts need to be a little more vocal. Don't let the few loud, over power us quiet many. We get pushed around doing what we enjoy doing. The "green" movement seems like it might be strong, but we are stronger.

We need to leverage social media. We need to leverage those email lists. We need to leverage those blogs. We need to leverage those forums.

Sign the petition here:

Stop using Homeland Security funds to seize imported vehicles, and change the DOT/EPA exemption to 15 years.  The Department of Homeland Security spends a shockingly disproportionate amount of its budget not on security initiatives, but on customs seizures. In particular, importers of grey-market vehicles have been targeted by monies taxpayers have intended to be used to secure our country against terrorism and terrorist activity. We call upon the Executive Branch to immediately cease this wasteful activity, and furthermore to change the DOT/EPA exemption time on grey-market vehicles from 25 years to 15 years (to match the vehicle regulations of Canada), recognizing that the 25-year rule was enacted due to support from special interests such as Mercedes Benz North America.
If you are looking to import a 25 years or older car, you can find some more information at: http://www.importavehicle.com 

1978 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40
1978 JDM BJ40 diesel 4x4. It is here, in the USA, located in California. It is CA legal as well. It has rust. But the floor boards and frame rails are solid.

Jay Leno does a walk around and drive in his GMC Syclone. He says its a preproduction  truck, and he has owned it since 1991.   I know a few things about the Syclones and Typhoons. I might even have one of each taking up some space in SoCal. 4.3 liter V-6 turbo, with all wheel drive. 0-60 in 4.5ish seconds. 13.5 or so in the quarter mile. The Typhoon did it in low 5's and 14's in the quarter. One of these years, I might start working on mine again.  One of these years.

My Typhoon running at Pomona.