Nissan Skyline GT-Rs seized in California over possible illegal importation
The importation of the Nissan Skyline GT-R to the United States has been a Hollywood-sized epic spanning ten years. For a while, the only game in town was to go through Motorex for a crash-tested, USDOT and EPA-approved Godzilla. Unfortunately, the company owner let his fondness of Japanese hostess clubs take precedence over delivering cars. Since Motorex shut its doors in 2005, enthusiasts have been scouring each and every loophole in US Customs laws to keep the supplies flowing. In 2006 ,a company called Kaizo began taking orders. Their model, vastly different from Motorex's expensive methods, involved the importation of specialty-constructed Nissan Skyline GT-R bodies from Japan to be mated with customer-supplied powertrains upon delivery to the United States, thus creating a kit car (to put it simply).
Following the tradition that is the GT-R saga, Kaizo's actions have recently been called into question by pretty much every acronymed authority -- DOT, EPA, ICE, CARB, DOJ and FBI. Charges against Kaizo have yet to be filed, but along with a raid on company headquarters, various customers have been delivered letters suggesting exportation and some have even lost their rides. To date, five R34s and one R32 GT-R have been seized by kevlar-clad armed officers. Exasperated customers have banded together in an attempt to find some salvation in this mess, and it isn't only hardcore enthusiasts left out in the cold by the scandal either. Recently, rather high-profile operation utilized Kaizo resources to create a valuable franchise, and if the drama keeps up at this rate, perhaps the Nissan Skyline GT-R story could be their next project.
[Source: GTR USA Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Alex Nunez 11:12AM (10/03/2009)
Thank God we have the Feds' kevlar ninja stormtroopers to protect us from the extreme, clear and present danger that is potentially non-compliant Japanese imported sports cars...
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Clavius 7:10PM (10/03/2009)
Of course they hired the kevlar ninja's.. they heard that pirates where importing the Skylines! (had to say it :( lol)
James 7:17PM (10/03/2009)
"Following the tradition that is the GT-R saga, Kaizo's actions have recently been called into question by pretty much every acronymed authority -- DOT, EPA, ICE, CARB, DOJ and FBI..."
King Kong (Feds) vs. Godzilla
De 9:59PM (10/03/2009)
I say we pull all troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and fight this growing threat!
Visnick 11:02PM (10/03/2009)
Yes, all five of them.
I want my tax money back!
Clay Garland 9:38PM (10/04/2009)
Thank Christ my tax dollars are being used to put dangerous criminals behind bars.
Tourian 10:16AM (10/05/2009)
ITs all about the razzle dazzle. This makes for an awesome nightly news story to make the cops and the Cali gov look good. Joe Schmoe sees this story which will be painted as "Feds bust illegal ring of drug dealing street racer illegal car importers, the streets are now safe for your kids." and is happy. Nobody gets hurt or killed (because Kaizo is a soft target) but everyone BELIEVES that crime has just dropped dramatically and these people with these cars won't be out there dealing drugs, automatic weapons, and running over baby seals while street racing.
Sean Morris 12:55PM (10/05/2009)
Next the feds are going to be coming after everyone that's pulled a catalytic converter off a car. $25,000 fine. Violation of the Clean Air Act. All the guys in the mid-west are screwed. All the guys in Texas are screwed.
Smog testing is only in use testing. Even if you don't have testing, it does not exempt you from meeting federal EPA standards.
So I hear starting next week, the feds are coming around door to door, with guns and Kevlar, crawling under Corvettes, Mustangs, and Camaros looking for those catalytic converters.... watch out....
Sure, not true, but about as ridiculous as going after these bodies that were legally imported, and then assembled by the owners. It could happen, they could chose to enforce the rules, but they generally only go after the shops that do it.
Rick C. 7:18PM (10/03/2009)
The DOT, EPA, ICE, CARB, DOJ and FBI are involved?!? The CIA, USGS and NASA got hosed.
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turbozamboni 3:03AM (10/04/2009)
lmao...USGS... now i got milk all over my keyboard!
NICK 7:26PM (10/03/2009)
Its stupid... whats the problem with them... so there right hand drive, but they are safe there... so wouldnt that mean they are safer here with our crash test regulations... not 3 months ago, i saw a r32 skyline at a drift event, in the parking lot. and a 19 year old was driving it, it sounded like an rb engine, so if that onel slipped why is a big problem now...
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daleam 3:28AM (10/04/2009)
Irrelevant. If the car doesn't meet our federal standards it isn't legal. Are we supposed to throw out our standards? Do you think other countries would or should throw out theirs?
Derek 10:03AM (10/04/2009)
Every few years some federal standard or another gets bumped up. Should we round up all cars that don't meet the new standard? People who build their own custom or kit cars often do not meet every single new federal safety reg, should we tell people they can only buy brand new cookie-cutter cars?
Seriously, so what? As long as it meets the basics (lights, mirrors, seat belts, emissions) let the guy drive it! If you want the latest in safety and nanny assistance, then buy a new US market car. If you want something more and are aware (or made aware) that you may be down a few airbags compared to the guy next door I see no harm in it.
The only issue I see with these cars is that the Japanese drive on the left, so their headlight pattern often has a 'kick up' on the left to better illuminate road signs. On US roads, this would cause a great amount of glare to oncoming drivers, almost like having the brights on.
daleam 12:34PM (10/04/2009)
When a car is US spec at the time it is built, it is grandfathered in as legal regardless of how the laws are changed later. When a car is brought to the US from another country it must be brought up to the current US specs. That is the law and that is all that matters.
spacegravity4me 2:40PM (10/04/2009)
daleam, you sir are a douche and that is all that matters. You aren't even worth my time explaining to you why I completely disagree. You also have a stupid name.
spacegravity4me 2:50PM (10/04/2009)
and another thing! People like you make me so angry! You follow rules just because they are there. NO, that's not it, you SUPPORT them just because they are there! You don't take the time to think about whether or not it's right or should even be there, you just do it cause someone says so! You don't think that we should have the freedom to make our own decisions, at least not in the little "insignificant" things! Well to me every single freedom I DON'T have is significant and I don't appreciate crappy importation laws that my sucky wonderful government hasn't GIVEN me the right or ability to change or fight! We have the big ones, freedom of speech and all, but what about the small ones? Huh? The only reason those importation laws exist is because of MONEY and that is why I HATE THEM! FRICK!@ .... ok, I feel better now, I'm sure you are a nice guy, so I'm sorry.
spacegravity4me 2:53PM (10/04/2009)
and I might be slightly sorry I called you a douche, I apologize, i'm sure you aren't one. There has to be some respect I suppose.... and NOW I'm done.
NICK 3:46PM (10/04/2009)
Daleam, im not saying throw out our standards, or other countries standards, i just dont see the point... as i understand, japan has a higer safety limit then we do cause they dont have big trucks/ suv's like we do, so if its safe there why isnt it safe here... also, the car isn't exactly a mini, its a midsize sports car, to stay light for the four wheel drive, and possible 4 wheel steer, its not like its the size of a microwave...
NICK 3:52PM (10/04/2009)
Also, we got the new gt-r, which is the same car here as it is there except, japan has that stupid limiter on the car to 112 mph, so cops can catch them, buy faster popo cars.
Rev 6:38PM (10/04/2009)
spacegravity4me, I think it's nap time. Give mommy back the computer...