BlazinAzian
12-03-2009, 12:39 PM
Kaizo-Owned Nissan Skyline GT-R Impounded in San Diego
By Erin Riches | September 4, 2009
Before the R35 Nissan GT-R came out, we published an article about how to buy a Japanese-spec R34 Skyline GT-R. In it, we told you about Kaizo Industries, which remanufactures Skyline GT-R body shells to make them Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant before they're exported here. Additionally, and crucially, the engine, transmission and differerentials are removed at this time, so that the car ships as a mere automotive component rather than a whole car -- and is therefore legal to import under U.S. law.
However, earlier this week, we ran across a letter from a Department of Justice attorney apparently addressed to an owner of a Kaizo-imported GT-R suggesting that the car in question "may not be in compliance with federal environmental and safety standards," in which case "it may not be operated on public streets" and may be "subject to seizure and forfeiture by U.S. authorities."
http://www.autosnewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/kaizoowned-nissan-skyline-gtr-impounded-in-san-diego-1.jpg
Now we've been forwarded a photo of a couple seized Skylines that are sitting on an impound lot in San Diego. One is apparently the R34 GT-R from Fast and Furious 4. The other is a Skyline GTS with GT-R fenders and an RB26 engine (i.e., the JDM 2.6-liter inline-6).
By Erin Riches | September 4, 2009
Before the R35 Nissan GT-R came out, we published an article about how to buy a Japanese-spec R34 Skyline GT-R. In it, we told you about Kaizo Industries, which remanufactures Skyline GT-R body shells to make them Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant before they're exported here. Additionally, and crucially, the engine, transmission and differerentials are removed at this time, so that the car ships as a mere automotive component rather than a whole car -- and is therefore legal to import under U.S. law.
However, earlier this week, we ran across a letter from a Department of Justice attorney apparently addressed to an owner of a Kaizo-imported GT-R suggesting that the car in question "may not be in compliance with federal environmental and safety standards," in which case "it may not be operated on public streets" and may be "subject to seizure and forfeiture by U.S. authorities."
http://www.autosnewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/kaizoowned-nissan-skyline-gtr-impounded-in-san-diego-1.jpg
Now we've been forwarded a photo of a couple seized Skylines that are sitting on an impound lot in San Diego. One is apparently the R34 GT-R from Fast and Furious 4. The other is a Skyline GTS with GT-R fenders and an RB26 engine (i.e., the JDM 2.6-liter inline-6).