can i buy a Skyline and legally drive it in the states, and can i keep it right side drive?

Question

what engine mods need to be done, to drive one in the states. i have people tell me two different things.

Answer 1

Safety and crash standards are different, so you will have to change those (outlined by others so I won't beat a dead horse...). You can keep it right-hand drive and you CAN change it to left-hand drive- it's been done before, but it costs in excess of $3000, so no point.
Your easiest option is MotoRex. They import used Skylines and GTR's from Japan and legalize them. They also offer upgrade packages for more power right off the line. In the end it will be less expensive and less of a headache than doing it yourself.

Answer 2

You can legally drive a right hand drive car in most US states, so that's not a problem. Converting a Skyline GT-R to left hand drive is not technically feasible because of the way the engine and accessories are set up. That's why Nissan never imported them to the US.
The company that used to import most Skylines to the states got busted for some illegal activities (saw an article in Sport Compact Car a month or two ago). The DOT revoked certification of all but the R-33's, I think. Your best bet is to find one already in the states and LEGALLY registered. Or wait till 2008 when Nissan brings the new one to the states!

2004 Farilady Z

Answer 3

You can buy a skyline, in Japan Europe or Australia. Then you would have to pay for shipping. Once it arrives at the docks, then you need to get a licenses importer to convert the safety features to American specs. (DOT approved glass and lights, re-enforce the firewall, and the doors). This is done by actually removing the old parts, photographing the old, and photographing and installing approved replacement parts.
I once checked it out the import fee was 199.00 but the license to import it with was 499 which kept it at just under 700 dollars back in the day to get the licenses and fees. (not including shipping.
However you can import a car and not replace the items if you are only going to use it for off street racing only. And yes there are Skylines that compete off road in the Untied States.

Answer 4

Dont put all your hopes on getting the car.
There isnt anything that has to be done with the motor(yet)
The biggest problem is the R32-R34 were never imported over here...that means no NHTSB crahs testing and other crap.
So...the car is deemed unsafe or not legal for the US.
Now there is a company that makes the cars legal...Motorex...but wayyyy to expensive...but they kinda hold an monopoly.
I can get an R34 for about $15,000 used from my friend in Japan...shipped for about $1000...but legalizing them is the hard part....then theres emissions...hope youre not in California.
As far as right hand drive...nothing wrong with that....I have a right hand drive Rx7 (imported)...why is it here?
Rx-7s were produced and imported to the US.
Right hand drives are legal...but I would 2x check with your state...who knows what crazy laws they may have.

If youre serious on getting a skyline...good luck and more power to ya....its easy to get one thats more than 15 years old. as far as getting a new one...make friends with a really good certified repair/colission shop to try and legalize the car to meet safty and crash regulations.
If thats not your route and you REALLY want the car...buy the car...ship it...then have one of the monoply companies legalize it at a very high cost.

Answer 5

a Nissan skyline?

Contact local sec of state office for answers to these questions

yes you can keep it R side drive..