People Are So Very Confused

Well it is legal.  The car comes with a NY State Title.  The vehicle was imported by the good old USA.  When a government official lives in a certain area for a certain amount of time they are allowed to purchase a vehicle.  When they return home, they have the option to bring their vehicle back with them and are given the needed paperwork.  This is what was told to me.  From other sources I have talked to, this seems to check out.  This particular car came from Japan on a Army plane, so I was told.

UPDATE :Something I did not notice, it shows a substitute for US VIN plate. The plate looks correct, but the chassis/VIN number does not show up in my records of cars.  Correct information, could actually help this guy out on a sale, rather than some weird reason.


Wow that's a new way to import.  I didn't know government officials were given a free pass. This is another classic case of people hearing bits and pieces of information, and then twisting those little bits of information to fit themselves.  Coming over on an ARMY plane, must make it legal.  Or, so he was told it came over on an ARMY plane.  I highly doubt this car has ever been on a plane, or an ARMY plane. Anything is possible, but it seems like to me, that if the military did move it, they would use something normal, like a ship.
As close as I can get to a “government official” being allowed a vehicle is as a temporary import, which is legal.
A non-resident of the US may import a car for a period not to exceed one year, however they can not sell the car in the US. Box 5 HS-7  So, that ones out.
A Diplomat or member of an organization designated under the international organizations immunities act can import a vehicle for personal use during the importers tour of duty. It has to be exported at the end of the tour of duty unless sold to another person who is eligible to import a vehicle under this exemption. Box 6 HS-7. So unless the guy selling it is a diplomat and selling it to another diplomat that one is out too.
There's more, member of the armed services of a FOREIGN country. That is someone from a country, that is not the US, importing a car for personal use while on duty in the US. It must be exported at the end of the importers tour of duty. Box 12, HS-7
So that about ends the temporary imports for government officials. Just because you write it, doesn’t mean that its legal, or that it was done legally.  This is so true in the car importing world. Most people are ignorant of the laws, and either intentionally or unintentionally violate importation laws.
The asking price of $110,000 is a little out there. With the current market, the current going ons in the Nissan Skyline world, the $32k bid doesn’t sound too bad or too far off for a state legal car like this.
Source : Freshalloy , and Ebay

EPA Kit Car Policy

This post is about the EPA’s stand on Kit Cars and the importation of vehicle parts, and assemblages of vehicle parts.There is also some information on what the NHTSA/DOT defines as vehicle parts. 

The following represents a clarification of EPA's policy concerning the regulation of imported and domestically produced kit cars and kit car packages. Kit vehicles are understood by EPA to typically involve new bodies, used drivetrains and new or used chassis. Used components may or may not be refurbished. This policy applies to kits or assembled kit cars only. This policy does not apply to regular production vehicles offered for importation into or produced in the United States.

This only applies to kits or assembled kits. The next part is important.

The production, sale and importation of vehicle parts (engines, transmissions, chassis, vehicle bodies, etc.) are not regulated by EPA because parts are not considered motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act. However if the parts constitute a disassembled vehicle or an approximate disassembled vehicle, the combination is considered a motor vehicle under the Clean Air Act. Any attempt to use this policy to circumvent the Clean Air Act or the Imports regulations will be considered a violation of the Clean Air Act and will be strictly enforced. An example of such circumvention is:

• A kit car maker who also provides the engine and transmission before or after production/importation of the body/chassis.

The next question is: what constitutes a disassembled vehicle or an approximate disassembled vehicle ?  Is a used fender an approximate disassembled vehicle ? Is a front clip an approximate disassembled vehicle ?  Is a transmission illegal to import because it can be used in a vehicle ?  There is no absolute definition, as the NHTSA/DOT has for importation.

The NHTSA /DOT is very clear on what they constitute as a motor vehicle under importation laws. http://vehicleimport.blogspot.com/2007/12/importation-and-certification-faq-all.html

If a vehicle is shipped without its engine and drive train, it would be treated, for importation purposes, not as a motor vehicle but instead as an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment items. In this instance, the vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form, which covers motor vehicle equipment not covered by a standard, or manufactured before the date that an applicable standard takes effect. Any items included in the assemblage that are subject to an FMVSS (brake hoses, brake fluid, glazing, lighting equipment, seat belt assemblies, tires, rims) that were not manufactured to comply with the applicable standard, and/or were not so certified by their original manufacturer, must be removed from the assemblage and exported or destroyed before entry.

No engine, no drive train, and any items with the parts meeting FMVSS, the parts are legal to import.

So the real questions get back to the EPA’s policy on what exactly is parts, and what exactly constitutes an approximate disassembled vehicle.

Importing a large group of parts, and then building a road vehicle from those parts, does not make the parts a “kit car” even though people like to defer to that term. Its used by a lot of people, and states to describe cars that people have home built, or specially constructed vehicles.

Individual states handle the titling of specialty constructed, or home built vehicles. It is out of the EPA’s hands by that point. The Clean Air Act requires some states and areas to have an emissions testing program, but not every state or area requires it. There are even areas in California that smog testing is not required annually.

 

Source :http://www.epa.gov/OMS/imports/kitcar.htm  and Vehicle Import Information

Guess Who Turns 21 Years Old 8-21-2010 ?

If you guessed R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R, then you would be correct.  21 years old. Legal to drink in the US. Cars don’t drink though. Well, nothing that makes them drive funny, unless by funny you mean fast.

So what does 21 years old really mean, when we are talking about cars ?  Not originally imported cars ? 
http://vehicleimport.blogspot.com/2008/12/overview-of-vehicle-import-requirements.html


1. Vehicles 21 Years Old Or Older
If the vehicle is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation. The age of the vehicle is determined by subtracting the calendar year of manufacture from the calendar year of importation. If the calendar year of manufacture is unavailable, the importer may substitute the model year or year of first registration. For instance, to qualify in 2001, the vehicle must have been manufactured in 1980 or earlier. The vehicle must be in its original unmodified configuration. Vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible for this exemption unless they contain equivalent or newer EPA certified engines.

No approval or Customs bond is required by EPA. The importer must also prove to Customs, as required, that the vehicle or engine was manufactured prior to EPA regulation. Documents such as a title, or letter from the original manufacturer may be used for this purpose.The importer must file with Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 and declare code "E" on that form.

However , as with many other things government related that make no sense, you still must meet DOT, FMVSS requirements.  Well, at least until its 25th birthday, then you are also DOT exempt.  AND yet another HOWEVER, is California requirements, if you are in California.

US Attorney Thomas O'Brien stepping down

 

Recently there was a letter from the US Attorneys Office to some Kaizo owners about 60 days to export or surrender their vehicle, written by Thomas O’Brien.  It seems he is going into private practice. I wonder how much an hour he wants to give some advice against his old job.  He is joining the Paul Hastings law firm.

 

LOS ANGELES—U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien, who has overseen a number of high-profile cases as head prosecutor for the Central District of California, is stepping down to go into private legal practice in Los Angeles.

The U.S. attorney's office said Monday that O'Brien will join the Paul Hastings law firm on Sept. 1.

O'Brien led the prosecution of Missouri mother Lori Drew in the MySpace cyberbullying case. He also oversaw a grand jury investigation of alleged molestation by priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

O'Brien was nominated in 2007 by former President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate that October.

 

Source : Boston.com

Arizona Revoked Motor Vehicle Title Hearing Decision

A fax copy of Arizona : Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law Decision and Order . Something we found out when we were doing research.  We edited out the names of the title claimant , and vehicle numbers. The owner had their title canceled by the Arizona Department of Transportation.  After review the title was re-instated. 

 

 

Kit Car Discussion from 2006 on Freshalloy Forum

About 3 years ago, we had a discussion with several people, including Detective Hsu that handled much of the Motorex investigation on the Freshalloy Forum.  I have been posting on Freshalloy, originally as Motorex, then as tyndago since 1999/2000.

 

Yes thats a twin turbocharged LS1 powered R34 from Australia.

If you search the forum for information on importing, you will probably find, about every month, someone will come on their with an “idea” of how to import cars to the US.   About every single month, a new “idea”.  Actually the same idea over and over. Sometimes a little twist here and there, but mostly the same.   I care about the consumer. I care about the guys that are buying cars. I want them to be fully informed in exactly what they are buying. After I left Motorex, and there was no more VCP-17, I did not care as much about tracking down these guys.

Read my first post carefully.  Understand what I am saying. 

Specialty constructed vehicles. I had a chance to look at some specialty constructed vehicles. "Based on" R33 and R34.
Interesting operation. Seems to follow the laws to a T. Nobles and Cobras are brought in as specialty constructed cars, why not GT-R's.
Now the only "legit" ways have been shut down, people will find other ways. This way is as close as I see to being correct.

Then I had this to respond to one guy saying I was doing a disservice to people in saying they were “as close as I see to being correct.”  Understand what I am saying there.  I pick my words fairly carefully.

Trust me, I am normally the one in your shoes. I have seen and read the rules and regulations. I have done it through the RI channel since 1999.
Ever see a Noble ? How about a Cobra Kit car ?
The Nobles have an engine that was never a certified US engine. Not in a twin turbo configuration.
The kit car thing is such a gray area. Its reading into it as much as you want to read into it.
Ie parts. Any parts are an approximate disassembled vehicle. In the example... the kit car manufacturer DOES NOT provide the engine/transmission - you buy it from somewhere else. #2
Car parts are not considered - Motor Vehicles. #5 no longer applies, as a chassis is no longer a motor vehicle. See how it can go around and around.
" "2" above; an individual or firm that assembles kits for hire or resale, that produces assembled kit cars for resale or that produces complete kit car packages for resale"
If you build it yourself, no matter what configuration it has, you don't need to meet EPA requirements. You can't build a car for someone else. You can't hire someone to build the complete car for you.
The laws and regulations are in place, doing it though all the RI/Import regulations is no longer possible. Lets exploit the open channels. People want cars, this way is open.
As long as its done, the way that one guy is doing it. If you buy a car, have it disassembled, import it, import the engine from it, and reassemble it, then thats going around the Clean Air Act. If you buy a certified chassis, and then go from there, its not illegal by what I read.

 

Head on over to the FA forum to check out the full post.  There is a bit of back and forth both ways.  Again this is from 3 years ago.  This is not a new discussion. This is not a new thing.

Source : Freshalloy Forums

Importation and Legalization of Automobiles to the United States.

This was written several years ago. Before there was a US Department of Homeland Security.

There is too much misinformation out there about the actual importation and legalization process . The actual process requires the satisfaction of several government agencies . The government agencies concerned are :

1) NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) or DOT (Department of Transportation)
2) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
3) Customs Service.( Part of Homeland Security now)
4) CARB ( California Air Resources Board) if you are in California.
5) Local Department of Motor Vehicles.


There is a lot of information about importation of vehicles . It is a little difficult to transfer several years of knowledge and experience into a few lines of information. The truest way to learn the information is though doing it and from reading the Code of Federal Regulations , along with the local laws and information.

1)My state doesn't have emissions testing , so is it any cheaper to legalize my vehicle ?

No , its not any cheaper as the vehicle , and every vehicle when first sold new must meet Federal Emissions Standards . If your state does not have emissions standards , that does not mean you , or your state does not meet them . It merely means there is no in use testing. Federal emissions standards are FTP testing. It is run on a dyno from a cold start . Though an 11 mile drive cycle. All of the emissions from a vehicle are tested , and the vehicle must meet certain criteria for the year it was produced .

2) I want to bring in a Toyota Supra from Japan (any vehicle not produced for the US market) , I have seen people have them here already , why do you say I can't have the car ?

"All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive motor vehicles except where right-hand drive (RHD) is identified after the model. While there is no specific restriction on importing a right-hand drive vehicle, an eligibility number based on a substantially similar U.S.- certified motor vehicle may not apply. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of right-hand drive vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, we will consider them "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises us that the right-hand drive vehicle would perform the same as the certified left-hand drive vehicle in crash tests. If the vehicle is not substantially similar to one sold in the U.S., the RI would have to demonstrate that the vehicle, when modified, would comply with the applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, which could involve crash testing several vehicles. " from the DOT website.

3) What is FTP ?

Federal Test Procedure, or FTP means the test procedure as described in Sec. 86.130-00 (a) through (d) and (f) which is designed to measure urban driving tail pipe exhaust emissions and evaporative emissions over the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule as described in appendix I to this part.

4) What is the DOT ?

Department of Transportation . Mostly we are concerned with the NHTSA . National Highway Transportation Safety Administration . OVSC . Office of Vehicle Safety and Compliance

5) What is FMVSS ?

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

6) What is EPA ?

Environmental Protection Agency

7) What is CARB ?

California Air Resources Board.

8) What does the customs service do ?

http://www.customs.gov/

9)Whats an HS-7 ?

It is the DOT form required to import a vehicle

10) What is a 3520 -1 ?

Its the EPA form required to import a motor vehicle. 3520-1

11) What is Show or Display exemption ?

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/

12) I want to import a race car how do I do it ?

There are two ways to import a race car .

• Temporary
• Permanent

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/Racing/Index.html

13) I want to do the work myself , why can't I ?

Registered importers are supposed to perform all modifications as the modifications are covered by safety recall insurance . If the RI did not perform the modifications there is no way for them to ensure the modifications are done correctly.

14) Why do you care if I import a car and sell it ?

If this guy sells it to someone , without the person fully knowing about the car they may have some problems .

The only person that has something actually to lose is the guy that buys this car . If I can use some of my knowledge about this , to possibly help someone out , then I will .

Does anyone remember the call I got from the guy with a Skyline in Canada . Someone had told him that he could import the car to Canada . Then drive it for a year before he had to legalize it . Have to tell him that there is really not much I could do for him . I gave him his options . He didn't think he was doing anything wrong . But hes the guy that gets screwed.

15) What do you know about the petition process for vehicles at the DOT ?

http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchFormSimple.cfm

Do a keyword search . Search for Lancer Evolution . You will see two 87 page documents from me for the LHD Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII and VIII . The first few pages are the actual work . The rest of the pages are substantiating documentation from Mitsubishi press releases , and service manuals.It took me about a month to do the Mitsubishi petition . Get the paperwork and information together . Do the research , etc .
In February , 2003 I flew over to the DOT in Washington , DC and dropped off my petition . At first I bundled the VII and VIII together as they are on the same chassis CT9A . The DOT did not like this , and I had to go and split it into two petitions .

It took about 2 months for them to decide they wanted to see it different . Then took several more months before they published the VIII petition in the Federal Register . Another month to publish the VII petition . Comments from Mitsubishi on the VII delayed the closing of the petition a week. There are comments from Mitsubishi on the VII petition also.The week after Mitsubishis comments I called the DOT to find out if they wanted me to formally comment on Mitsubishis comments , and they told me to stand by. Its been about 3 weeks now , and I am standing by. In all its been 11 months since I started the project .11 months. Sure in that time , everyone in the DOT has changed , some rules have changed .

In the end, Mitsubishi kept making challenges, and we kept responding. Their final challenge that really took the sails out of the project was the claim that the side impact structure of the European car, and the US car were different. We were set to X-Ray the side of the car, but the money ran out, and the project was shelved.

16) I hear 1996 and up cars need OBD -II . What is OBD -II ? Do cars made for other countries have it ?

http://www.obdiicsu.com/ No system was required by other countries until recently .

17) What about converting my car to run on propane, or other cleaner fuel ?

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/aftermkt.htm#altfuel

Alternative Fuel Certified Retrofit Systems Under current California regulations, conversion of emission-controlled vehicles with retrofit systems to operate on alternative fuels, such as propane and natural gas, in lieu of the original gasoline or diesel fuel is only allowed if the retrofit systems have been evaluated and certified by the Air Resources Board. The certification must be obtained by the manufacturer of the retrofit system and is issued by the Air Resources Board once the manufacturer demonstrates compliance with the emission, warranty, and durability requirements. View a list of certified retrofit systems for 1994 and newer model-year vehicles. (Word97 - 56K) or (Acrobat - 110K)

18) Kit cars. I want to take a car apart and import it as a kit car. Is this legal ?

Motor vehicles" must comply with the Clean Air Act and may not be disassembled nor purchased in a disassembled form for the purposes of evading the Clean Air Act or the Imports regulations. In these situations the kit car body/chassis combination must be certified by the manufacturer, must be in a configuration which was previously certified by EPA subject to the guidelines discussed at "2" above or, in the case of an importation, an EPA form 3520-1 must be filed at the port of entry and the vehicle imported by an eligible ICI who must ensure that the kit car body/chassis complies with all applicable emission requirements. At the present time, there are no ICIs eligible to import kit cars.

Websites

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test results -- http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm

Crash test data - Edmunds / NHTSA -

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/crashtestdata/ NCAP Offset Crash test results - >http://www1.tpgi.com.au/users/mpaine/ncaplist.html Code of Federal Regulations -

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html Emissions Information - http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/40cfr86_02.htm Kit car titling in Illinois - http://rawilson.net/cobra/title.html

Nissan Skyline – Fully Legal for $3000

Here are some caution words.  Found this over at Zilvia forums.  I don’t have too much of a  problem with the car, I have a problem with the words the seller uses - “fully legal”,and only for $3000.  That is simply not possible.  This person can maybe get a title for this car in some state for $3000 , but the car is not “fully legal”.  Possessing something, does not make it legal. 

This state titling thing seems to be confusing to most people.  They assume that because they are titling a car, its legal.

If this car was imported as a complete car, and they bypassed Customs, DOT-NHTSA , EPA regulations, then the car may have been able to be titled, but its not legal.    Offering the service to “legalize” and title the car as a Nissan Skyline is just not legal.

With all the current goings on with the Kaizo investigations, and New Jersey investigations, maybe these guys aren’t that smart. Probably not.  There was even this R32 GT-R in Texas from a while ago that was seized by Homeland security.

The car they are selling is a GTS R32.  Maybe a $2000 car in Japan. Shipping, and getting a title for it costs, but its still just a GTS. You would be better off with at US legal 240 for that kind of money.  No matter what you do, this thing is still a GTS.

Update to ICE , DOT, EPA Investigation on Kaizo

I spoke to a person today that informed me that they had a call from ICE on their vehicle.  The ICE agent asked to come out and take photos of the vehicle.  The person that received the call asked if the car was going to be seized, and the ICE agent said that it was not going to be seized.  I advised him that he should speak to a lawyer before he allows anyone to come and investigate any of his property.

What I think that ICE wants to see is the body and the engine together.  They are still investigating Kaizo, and looking to see if they supplied engines and bodies together.  If anyone else gets any calls – please email me to tell me what was said.   tyndago@gmail.com .  I want to stay on top of this, and see where its going. 

All "public interest" legislation (and any distribution of money taken by force from some men for the unearned benefit of others) comes down ultimately to the grant of an undefined undefinable, non-objective, arbitrary power to some government officials. The worst aspect of it is not that such a power can be used dishonestly, but that it cannot be used honestly. The wisest man in the world, with the purest integrity, cannot find a criterion for the just, equitable, rational application of an unjust, inequitable, irrational principle.

-Ayn Rand

The law was made for one thing alone, for the exploitation of those who don't understand it, or are prevented by naked misery from obeying it.

-Bertolt Brecht

Letter From New Jersey DMV Requesting Vehicle Inspection on Nissan Skyline

I posted up a few days ago, that I had heard that someone with a Nissan Skyline that did NOT come in though Motorex got a letter from the DMV. The former owner of the vehicle, he had since sold it, called the NJ DMV for clarification. His story follows.

First I spoke to the "Vehicle Title Stop" Department. They are responsible for looking into possible title fraud for such things as illegal VIN swaps, stolen vehicles that slipped through the cracks, wrecked vehicles that should have a salvage status and are currently on the road, and vehicles that NJ feels are unsafe for operation on NJ roads. After being on hold for 10 minutes they transfer me to the investigator handling my title. At first he was very vague in why I received the letter. He initially explained that, like the letter states, my vehicles title has been revoked and my registration has been suspended. After I explained that the car was sold about 5-6 months ago he asked who it was sold to. All I told him was some guy in NY. I asked if there was a problem with the sale paperwork as NJ is very big on collecting the proper sales tax. He went to on ask why the car only has an 11 digit VIN. I responded that the vehicle was imported from Japan a number of years ago and that DMV has documentation of the VIN plate and the etching from the VIN on the firewall. He then asked if I had the car upgraded to meet State and Federal Emissions and Safety standards. I responded that the vehicle had 2-3 prior owners before I purchased it and that it was titled, registered and insured at the time I purchased it. "Is the steering wheel still on the right side of the vehicle?", I responded, "Yes". Then he asked if I supplied the buyer with the proper bond releases and I advised him that the only documentation I received was the title and copy of the registration which was all given to NJ DMV when I transferred the title and registered it in my name. Then he started to open up a bit. He stated, and I quote, "There have been an abundance of imported vehicles in the state of NJ and when a vehicle is was manufactured in 1995 and doesn't have a 17 digit VIN it should have a DOT and EPA bond release in order to received a title in NJ. Other states may have different rules, but that's what we require." He explained that the letter never should have been sent to me and that it should have been sent to the new owner. NY sent the paperwork to NJ advising them that the vehicle was sold and requesting that NJ release the title to NY that's how it "landed on his desk". He said that since I no longer have possession or ownership of the vehicle I am not responsible for having it inspected, but if the new owner wants NJ to release the title to NY they must being the car for an "in-depth safety & emission inspection" and supply the proper bond releases. When I asked what would happen if the vehicle meets all the safety and emission requirements (which we all know it won't) but cannot supply the bond releases, he replied, "Then the new owner will have nothing more than a decoration for his garage since it's legally not roadworthy".

All I have to say, is that things are happening.  Its hard to say where its all going, or how widespread this investigation is going to be. 

1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R : Show or Display Exemption

While talking about importation, Motorex, and Nissan Skyline GT-R’s in general on the R35 GT-R Forum – NAGTROC , I was informed that on the newest Show or Display list, that an R34 GT-R was on the list.  I found this interesting, as the car they listed did not exist.  I let the guys know that I would call the NHTSA- OVSC to get some clarification on it.

I talked to the NHTSA - OVSC yesterday.   I spoke with Dick Merritt there that handles the Show or Display exemptions.   The good way to get him going is to mention Skyline.  We had a 20 minute conversation, about many things Skyline related.   I mentioned to him that I met him in 1999 when I went to DC to talk to the OVSC then. 

When I asked for clarification what the R34 on the Show or Display list was, he said 1999 - Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Vspec , Early.  He said "they made less than 300."   

That is not true.  Vspecs were more popular than regular models .  http://rbmotorsports.blogspot.com/2009/06/nissan-skyline-gt-r-r34-production.html    . I don't have the exact numbers but 5536 R34 GT-R's were sold in 1999.  Over the entire run of 12,175 cars , 7338 were Vspec;Mspec,VspecII;Nur , and 3962 were standard.

Anyway. He called Skylines "rocket ships" more than a few times. He said he would never want a car with so many computers in it, like the Porsche 959.  He wondered how anyone could, or would work on Skylines.

He said that he did not want the management to pass the R34 for Show or Display, but it was done without his approval.

Then he mentioned that no R34 has been brought in under the Show or Display exemption, because no one can do the EPA side of the requirements.

New Jersey Suspending Titles of Non- DOT/ EPA Compliant Cars

Over at Supraforums, a member posted up the following.

 

FYI, if you are own a Skyline or any imported non US compliant car in NJ, NJ DMV is going through their database to do visual inspections and document inspection, NHTSA and EPA paperwork, if they are not provided they are suspending the registrations and titles.
How do I know? I have a friend who received the letter and spoke with DMV.

Based on the information I have recieved over the last few weeks, I think that the government is going after all imported and non-compliant vehicles in the US. The state titled cars, the kit cars, parts cars , every car.  I had some doubts until I saw this latest post. It seems like this will be very big, and affect a lot of people, and a lot of cars.

 

Source: Supraforums

UPDATED : ICE , DOT - CARB Serving Search Warrants Today

I had a call earlier today that ICE , DOT, and CARB had been at RB today doing some investigating. The investigators looked at a couple of the ex-Motorex cars, called the DOT and ended up leaving from RB with only photos.

I called over to Kaizo to see what was happening over there, and I was informed that they were in the middle of it.

Vehicle Import Information Blog.

Some new information from an RX-7 forum. One poster says ICE had this to say

... ICE said that pretty much the skylines from kaizo are contra band. They are taking a snippet of the law from one part, and another snippet of law from another part. (regarding chassis and smog/manufacturer liabilities). He did say they are not far off from doing it completely legit though...

He asked if i knew anyone with a kaizo car, (dont worry i didnt rat you out :] ) but he said, that as long as you get your cali-smog expempt at the begining of each year, you are fine and there is nothing they can do against you.

He also said tht AZ and FL are the only states that dont give a crap about such things and thats why they are so popular to have cars registered there.

Three cars got seized, along with records, and computers from Kaizo. Included in the three cars seized was the actual hero car from Fast and Furious 4. We will have to see how this plays out over the coming weeks and months.

June 9th , no new updates yet, although I have had contact with a lot of people with concern over what will happen next. It is hard to say exactly what is going to happen. It will all depend on the attorneys office and what charges are brought up.

July 1st, still nothing new except the Kaizo website is down. I have not heard of anyone having any other issues yet, but I still get a few emails a week from people asking questions.

July 2nd , the inital investigation was to check out charges of smuggling and violations of the Clean Air Act. The government always goes after the Clean Air Act. Everything is still in a holding pattern until any actual charges are filed. I also found out besides the "buggy" car that was not impounded(it had a VW engine in it), the black R34 had no driveline in it.

EPA requirements.

July 10th , I read on Supra forums the following about vehicles registered in New Jersey.

FYI, if you are own a Skyline or any imported non US compliant car in NJ, NJ DMV is going through their database to do visual inspections and document inspection, NHTSA and EPA paperwork, if they are not provided they are suspending the registrations and titles.
How do I know? I have a friend who received the letter and spoke with DMV.

Source : Supraforums

B. (2) Engine not in Vehicle or Chassis

EPA regulates the entire vehicle, not individual parts, for cars, light trucks, and motorcycles. If an engine is not installed, and is to be used in a car, motorcycle, or light truck, it may be imported as an automotive part. No approval or Customs bond is required by EPA. Importers should be aware, however, that replacement of an engine in a U.S. version vehicle with an engine of a different type or model year which is not currently covered by an EPA certificate or will be covered by an EPA certificate prior to introduction into commerce may violate EPA regulations.

The EPA regulates only complete cars. It says it right there. They also say that without an engine a body is just a part.

Now heres some conflicting information, also on the EPA's website. This section under "kit car policy".

The production, sale and importation of automotive bodies alone (i.e., no chassis, engine or transmission) are not regulated by EPA since such units are not considered "motor vehicles" under the Clean Air Act. EPA form 3520-1 is not required for imported automotive bodies. A motor vehicle from which the engine has been removed is still a motor vehicle and is not considered a body.

So does the EPA even read their own regulations ? A little bit of conflict there. One section says no engine is just a body, and its legal to import. The other section says if it has no engine then its not a body. Do they even know their own rules and regulations ? Does the EPA even have a leg to stand on in court ?

No engine and no transmission is significant in accordance with DOT requirements.

A disassembled vehicle that is shipped without an engine and transmission is treated for importation purposes not as a motor vehicle, but instead as an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment items. Such an assemblage can lawfully be imported into the U.S., provided any equipment included in the assemblage that is subject to FMVSS, but was not originally manufactured to comply with that FMVSS or was not so certified by its original manufacturer, is removed from the assemblage prior to entry into the U.S. Equipment items that are subject to the FMVSS include tires, rims, brake hoses, brake fluid, seat belt assemblies, glazing materials, and lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

That is direct from the DOT website. So as far as importing car parts, or a disassembled vehicle to the US, its legal as long as the parts aren't anything that is covered by FMVSS.

Some "How to Import Cars from Japan" Information . How to Import a Nissan Skyline .