Why are Nissan Skylines illegal in the US?

Currently, Americans are free to import, own, and drive almost any foreign car. However, there’s a catch: to avoid compliance with applicable DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) when importing a motor vehicle into the U.S., the motor vehicle must be at least 25 years old. Americans that attempt to evade these standards will have their car seized by the United States Customs and Border Protection. In some cases, officials destroy these cars after obtaining them.

Although the rule seems asinine to some car collectors, the reasoning behind keeping foreign cars out of the U.S. has a solid foundation. During the stagflation crisis of the 1970s, interest rates skyrocketed, and many people attempted to save money by purchasing and importing vehicles from overseas. To curb sales of imported vehicles, the American government passed the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1988, which remains in effect today. As a result, you won’t be able to purchase certain models of the Japanese-made Nissan Skyline, the Mitsubishi Lancer, or the TVR Tuscan. 

If you are a car aficionado, keeping up with these regulations may be irksome. However, it’s important to ensure that you follow legal regulations in your country and state to avoid legal problems.

What is the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988?

In 1988, the U.S. government established safety and environmental regulations that apply to all vehicles within the United States, referred to as the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. The law also reduces the sale of “grey market” import vehicles.

During the mid-1940s — around World War II — American soldiers began purchasing European cars. Since there were no restrictions on imports, soldiers could purchase high-quality vehicles for a lower price than they could in America. The practice continued for over 20 years online, slowing down in 1967 when regulations regarding import vehicles became more stringent. 

Activity in the grey market decreased drastically when the government passed the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. From 1985 to 1995, the number of vehicles sold on the grey market dropped from 70,000 to 300.

Why is the Nissan Skyline Illegal?

The first Nissan Skyline was a 4-door sedan, and it made its first appearance at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show. In 1989, Nissan released another Skyline R34 GT-R as a testament to the company’s developments in engineering and technology. From 1989 to 1994, car enthusiasts were enthralled by the Nissan Skyline’s ability to dominate some of the most popular cars on the racetrack.

As stated in the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988, every vehicle sold in the United States must follow specific regulations regarding the vehicle’s environmental impact and overall safety. Since the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R doesn’t comply with road safety legislation in the United States, driving this car in America is illegal. However, you can legally import and own a Nissan Skyline R31 or R32 GT-R. Additionally,  if you’re interested in a Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R that was registered before 1995, you can legally import this car to the United States.

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