Not Z related but the Skyline guys...

[conedodger]

http://jalopnik.com/#!5775509/feds-lau...-skyline-owners

[spdcrazy]

so stupid!

rumor is they have a task force in cali that is focused on finding and impounding illegal skylines.

[260DET]

Despite what it may claim, the US is in effect very protectionist in this era of supposed world trade. Its not the only one of course but it does stand out. This action against Skyline owners seems rough, surely some sort of statute of limitations or similar applies.

[zbane]

I recall the same thing happening (though in a far less dramatic way) whilst I lived in New Mexico. There was quite the story in the papers about "new" VW bugs (not the modern front engine variety) being sold at a dealership in Arizona and the problems people were having in NM (and presumably other states as well) when they tried to title and tag them. Who wouldn't want a (rear engine) 2003 VW Bug?

Some people found dubious legality by dropping new everything on top of original frames, using the original serial/vin data with the new parts while others simply claimed the car was from whatever year.

By and large, these actions were done by the dealer/importer, not the individual buyer who ultimately lost the car and their money.

That it's happening to such a rare (in the US) car is a shame, but the ultimate shame belongs on those who skipped the steps involved to get the car in legally.

Should it be so difficult to import specialty cars in the first place? I don't think so, but I don't make the rules...

[H4LIGHTS]

I remember being at a service garage when the guy from one of the larger gray market importers showed up with the compliance stickers for an R32 GTR that was there.

The car was now "legal".

But the headlights had never been brought up to DOT.

The owner of the car said "who cares I got my certification".

I wonder if he cares now?

I was witness to an R34 GTR getting shredded at a place called Clean Steel in L.A.

That was a crying shame.

[Walter Moore]

I found a snippet that refers to the underlying issue here:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/r32-r34-nissan-skyline-imports-halted.html

My understanding is that for cars that are less than some age, (and I do not know what that age is) the NHSTA requires that the car meet all the safety standards that were in effect in the year of manufacture before the car can be sold in the U.S. One of the safety standards in place in the 1990's requires crash test data to verify compliance. Apparently a company named Motorex paid to have crash tests performed on the R33 model of Skyline, and after it passed they claimed that the results also applied to the R32 and R34 models as well. Eventually the feds discovered that there are significant differences in the unibody strength of the different models and clamped down. By then there were a lot of the untested vehicles on the road, and the people who ended up paying the price are the ones who own the car at the time it is tracked down. However, if someone was willing to pay for and sacrifice several cars for the testing then if the sample cars passed the test, the remaining examples would get a reprieve.

If this is protectionism, it must not work very well; considering the market share that "foreign" car makers have in the U.S.

[H4LIGHTS]

According to some folks much closer than myself to the source the crash tests submitted were for Maxima's performed by Nissan.

It was later discovered that these vehicles were not the same as represented by the company submitting the documentation.

It all really becomes moot since the Feds. are grabbing up R32, R33 and R34's.

Sad.

[sblake01]

So what are we doing here? Trying to figure out in which direction the finger of blame should be pointed?

[cygnusx1]

It's really sad to see a piece of culture, automotive history, and engineering/art, take the brunt of political agendas. I mean, let the owners keep them for track days or something. Can't there be a common sense resolution or is common sense too far gone?

I am venting my feelings creatively

http://www.cafepress.com/singlelensreflex/7732446

Edited March 7, 2011 by cygnusx1

[H4LIGHTS]

So what are we doing here? Trying to figure out in which direction the finger of blame should be pointed?

Nope, sadly that's already been decided.

[260DET]

For AU grey imports are not crash tested but must (be made to) comply with the current design rules, lights etc. Crash testing would in effect ban most imports and so operate as back door protectionism.