Feds Begin to Seize Illegal Nissan Skyline GT-Rs in California

nogoodname · 10-02-2009, 10:13 AM

Feds Begin to Seize Illegal Nissan Skyline GT-Rs in California

Imported specialty cars are no rare thing in the U.S. Collectors all across the nation have been shipping in rare automotive gems for decades. Laws regarding foreign-market car shipped into the U.S. aren't taken lightly, though, as several Nissan Skyline owners are finding out.

Making a splash on the Web today is the plight of some Southern California-based previous-generation Nissan Skyline GT-R owners who've found out they're being targeted by Federal authorities for driving illegally registered vehicles. The cars were imported using loopholes in customs laws regarding automobiles and automobile parts and now that the Feds have caught wind of it, they're shutting it down quick.

According to some owners, at least two R34 series Skyline GT-Rs and one R32 have already been confiscated by officers. Many more cars, they speculate, will be receiving a similar fate.

As the story goes, many of the California Skyline GT-Rs have been imported by a company called Kaizo, which has for a number of years made a profitable business out of importing individual GT-R shells and drivetrains, presumably to be sold for parts.

Upon delivery of the components, the company reassembled the GT-Rs and several owners have registered the cars as "kit cars" under a California-specific Specially Constructed Vehicles (SPCNS) 4750.1 title. The title is fairly rare -- only 500 permits per calendar year are issued -- and grants a 'Specially Constructed Vehicle' a highly desired smog exemption. Legal details are many, but essentially, a "kit car" by law cannot resemble the vehicle its components are based on. Additionally, the engine used must be California-legal. Previous-generation Skyline GT-Rs were never sold in the U.S. and do not meet either EPA or DOT regulations. That's two strikes against the reassembled GT-Rs, and registering the cars may have been what brought them to the Feds' attention.

It seems the Feds have had enough with the shady importation and titling procedures and have begun their sweep on illegally titled, assembled, and publically-driven Skyline GT-Rs. According to the Feds, the vehicles have violated both EPA and Department of Transportation law as they have neither been crash-tested or smog-approved per Federal mandates and will therefore be confiscated. So far, the confiscations have all taken place in Southern California where the local branch of the U.S. District Attorney's office has been handling the case. If the Feds learn the whereabouts of any GT-Rs imported to other states, it's possible they could be confiscated as well.

If you happen to be wondering what the big deal is, pristine, low-mileage Skylines GT-Rs can go for a pretty penny that's usually close to the six figures. Also, other states have been known to be more lax on their emissions regulations, so if you know of 10 Skyline GT-Rs running around in your town, you most likely live in one of those states.

Check back for more as the story unfolds.

nogoodname · 10-02-2009, 10:19 AM

thinking about this now..... wonder if there's a loophole here for that...lol
"kit cars" are allowed here but importing cars cannot be registered.... but importing parts and then reassemble is smart...lol

smurfblu13 · 10-02-2009, 10:21 AM

What they should do is seize the r 35 and let the r 34 and below stay.

Oh man I would cry myself to sleep every night if I had a r34 and someone came a knocking and it suddenly was no longer in my possession.

theDreamer · 10-02-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

thinking about this now..... wonder if there's a loophole here for that...lol
"kit cars" are allowed here but importing cars cannot be registered.... but importing parts and then reassemble is smart...lol

That is how many of the R34s were first brought here, but you also have to build the engine a certain way so it does pass the inspections. There was also a NY based company who imported them and sold them as left hand drive cars for a year or so.

My only thing is, what determines the amount of driving that is allowed for these cars? They say it can stay if it is not driven much, but what is to much?

nogoodname · 10-02-2009, 11:21 AM

Two R34's and an R32 were seized today. My information says that they are not done seizing cars. If you have a car, I would be on the look out.

Neo187H · 10-02-2009, 11:49 AM

The second link posted is from the wednesday sept 30th, the first is from thursday oct 1st

nogoodname · 10-02-2009, 11:51 AM

who cares

dainedazz · 10-02-2009, 11:54 AM

dad · 10-02-2009, 12:17 PM

It's illegal, what do they expect!

ZKindaGuy · 10-02-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

[B][SIZE=3]

".......a 'Specially Constructed Vehicle'.... Legal details are many, but essentially, a "kit car" by law cannot resemble the vehicle its components are based on.

dainedazz · 10-02-2009, 12:38 PM

driving a car thats hot is not illegal in my world

ZzzZz · 10-02-2009, 01:05 PM

What the F*ck?! Don't they have anything better to do...

Dirty, nasty, disgusting...

shabarivas · 10-02-2009, 01:10 PM

This is so lame - what if you just happened to buy one and not register it for track use? Those obviously cant be confiscated... so if you have one of these... dont be driving it on the street - its not that hard... although its kinda lame - I feel if the owner of the "kit" car can smog the car and get it to legal standards of the state - it should be ok...

FuszNissan · 10-02-2009, 01:11 PM

That sucks!!!!

phelan · 10-02-2009, 08:48 PM

Nooo, not the R32!!!! Whyyyyy

Damn you California...we're already in a deficit and we're wasting money destroying some amazing cars?!

10-02-2009, 10:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	Feds Begin to Seize Illegal Nissan Skyline GT-Rs in California Feds Begin to Seize Illegal Nissan Skyline GT-Rs in California Imported specialty cars are no rare thing in the U.S. Collectors all across the nation have been shipping in rare automotive gems for decades. Laws regarding foreign-market car shipped into the U.S. aren't taken lightly, though, as several Nissan Skyline owners are finding out. Making a splash on the Web today is the plight of some Southern California-based previous-generation Nissan Skyline GT-R owners who've found out they're being targeted by Federal authorities for driving illegally registered vehicles. The cars were imported using loopholes in customs laws regarding automobiles and automobile parts and now that the Feds have caught wind of it, they're shutting it down quick. According to some owners, at least two R34 series Skyline GT-Rs and one R32 have already been confiscated by officers. Many more cars, they speculate, will be receiving a similar fate. As the story goes, many of the California Skyline GT-Rs have been imported by a company called Kaizo, which has for a number of years made a profitable business out of importing individual GT-R shells and drivetrains, presumably to be sold for parts. Upon delivery of the components, the company reassembled the GT-Rs and several owners have registered the cars as "kit cars" under a California-specific Specially Constructed Vehicles (SPCNS) 4750.1 title. The title is fairly rare -- only 500 permits per calendar year are issued -- and grants a 'Specially Constructed Vehicle' a highly desired smog exemption. Legal details are many, but essentially, a "kit car" by law cannot resemble the vehicle its components are based on. Additionally, the engine used must be California-legal. Previous-generation Skyline GT-Rs were never sold in the U.S. and do not meet either EPA or DOT regulations. That's two strikes against the reassembled GT-Rs, and registering the cars may have been what brought them to the Feds' attention. It seems the Feds have had enough with the shady importation and titling procedures and have begun their sweep on illegally titled, assembled, and publically-driven Skyline GT-Rs. According to the Feds, the vehicles have violated both EPA and Department of Transportation law as they have neither been crash-tested or smog-approved per Federal mandates and will therefore be confiscated. So far, the confiscations have all taken place in Southern California where the local branch of the U.S. District Attorney's office has been handling the case. If the Feds learn the whereabouts of any GT-Rs imported to other states, it's possible they could be confiscated as well. If you happen to be wondering what the big deal is, pristine, low-mileage Skylines GT-Rs can go for a pretty penny that's usually close to the six figures. Also, other states have been known to be more lax on their emissions regulations, so if you know of 10 Skyline GT-Rs running around in your town, you most likely live in one of those states. Check back for more as the story unfolds.

10-02-2009, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	Two R34's and an R32 were seized today. My information says that they are not done seizing cars. If you have a car, I would be on the look out. Last edited by nogoodname; 10-02-2009 at 11:51 AM.

10-02-2009, 11:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
dainedazz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NJ, Philippines Posts: 1,325 Drives: 09' SR 6MT Z34 Rep Power: 293	__________________ DaineZ' Rosalena \| Kenwood \| Pioneer \| 3M \| 180 Custom \| Stillen \| Z1 \| Fast Intentions \| Setrab \| Eibach \| Varis \| UpRev \| TEIN \| UAM \| Amuse \| Bride \| Southbend \| WORK \| TWM \| BFGoodrich \| Robispec \| TAKATA \| GTSPEC \| *Instagram* @johndainez Last edited by dainedazz; 10-02-2009 at 12:37 PM.

10-02-2009, 12:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	It's illegal, what do they expect! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

10-02-2009, 12:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
dainedazz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NJ, Philippines Posts: 1,325 Drives: 09' SR 6MT Z34 Rep Power: 293	driving a car thats hot is not illegal in my world __________________ DaineZ' Rosalena \| Kenwood \| Pioneer \| 3M \| 180 Custom \| Stillen \| Z1 \| Fast Intentions \| Setrab \| Eibach \| Varis \| UpRev \| TEIN \| UAM \| Amuse \| Bride \| Southbend \| WORK \| TWM \| BFGoodrich \| Robispec \| TAKATA \| GTSPEC \| *Instagram* @johndainez

10-02-2009, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	thinking about this now..... wonder if there's a loophole here for that...lol "kit cars" are allowed here but importing cars cannot be registered.... but importing parts and then reassemble is smart...lol

10-02-2009, 10:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
smurfblu13 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 2,584 Drives: cars Rep Power: 380	What they should do is seize the r 35 and let the r 34 and below stay. Oh man I would cry myself to sleep every night if I had a r34 and someone came a knocking and it suddenly was no longer in my possession.

10-02-2009, 11:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Neo187H Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 302 Drives: PW 370Z Rep Power: 16	The second link posted is from the wednesday sept 30th, the first is from thursday oct 1st

10-02-2009, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	who cares

10-02-2009, 01:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
ZzzZz Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 125 Drives: PG370, MT Rep Power: 16	What the F*ck?! Don't they have anything better to do... Dirty, nasty, disgusting...

10-02-2009, 01:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	This is so lame - what if you just happened to buy one and not register it for track use? Those obviously cant be confiscated... so if you have one of these... dont be driving it on the street - its not that hard... although its kinda lame - I feel if the owner of the "kit" car can smog the car and get it to legal standards of the state - it should be ok...

10-02-2009, 01:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 541	That sucks!!!! __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

10-02-2009, 08:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	Nooo, not the R32!!!! Whyyyyy Damn you California...we're already in a deficit and we're wasting money destroying some amazing cars?! __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
As of January 1st 2009 all OBDI catalytic converters will be illegal	shumby	Intake/Exhaust	18	11-18-2009 04:10 AM
...and the negotiations begin...	vertex	Nissan 370Z Pricing / Ordering Discussions	47	07-08-2009 01:25 PM
Are HFC's illegal in Canada?	VertigoZ	Canada	5	04-24-2009 04:46 AM
2009 Nissan Skyline Crossover for Japan	BanningZ	Other Vehicles	4	04-16-2009 08:12 PM
Nissan 370z spotted in So California 10.08.08 uncamo	AK370Z	Nissan 370Z Photos / Spyshots / Video / Media Gallery	0	10-09-2008 09:31 PM