Saw an R34...

"crash on ice" (crash_on_ice)
09/08/2013 at 14:51 • Filed to: None

One of only a few GT-Rs in the state, and certainly the only R34.
Question is: how? I know the show and display import loophole...but would somebody go to all that trouble to import and then ship a car given the inherent mileage restrictions? Or are there ways you actually CAN get legally registered unrestricted stateside?

Edit: Original photo removed. Maybe this was an inappropriate SR20 moment for once. Sorry guys. Current photo obviously from Speedhunters

DISCUSSION (15)

Mosqvich > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 14:54

I'd bet they're in the Air Force. They were probably at Kadena, Yokota, or Misawa. The owner might be a native of Nevada (the military doesn't have to change plates when they move around) and was able to get the car into the country, likely through show and display I would imagine.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 15:02

I always envy those who see an R34 in person, since I never have. Only R32's and R33's.

offroadkarter > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 15:05

Maybe he got it way back when it that shady company was still importing these cars, and the feds haven't found this one and destroyed it yet

Either way I'd probably blur the license plate.

PS9 > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 15:10

Even if I was in a position to get an R34 over here, I still wouldn't risk having it confiscated and crushed with zero compensation.

It's a damned shame Nissan can't do something about that. You know, other than just ask you if you've heard about the new GT-R yet...

Victorious Secret > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 15:10

Enough money and its possible.

Military import maybe? Or that shady company that was doing them a while back,

daender > Mosqvich
09/08/2013 at 15:14

I conversed with my father (many years in the military) about importing stuff like that, it's not easy at all for cars not built to us-spec and will cost some money to upgrade them to spec before they're allowed on the road. Show and display will allow for V-Spec models to come over without changes since they're rare/homologation/racing cars.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 16:24

1. All skylines r32-34 are specifically banned from show and display, per NHTSA. Except the ~50 Motorex R33 cars that were modified and crash tested and approved.

2. it's possible, and very easy, to register a car in a state. This does not mean it's legal. The feds can still swoop in and take it.

crash on ice > vdub_nut: scooter snob
09/08/2013 at 17:57

Did not know they were specifically banned. Sad.

Still an awesome car to see, and hopefully it lives a long and happy life. . .

vdub_nut: scooter snob > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 20:21

Being in Alaska probably won't help it live a long happy life.

Rust, ya dig?

Grindintosecond > crash on ice
09/08/2013 at 20:58

R34: 99-02....only have to wait until 2024 to import one resttiction free!

BlackBird, Mexican Clownshoe pilot > crash on ice
09/09/2013 at 05:19

where did you spot the r34? there was a guy with a blue R34 GTR I would see every now and then on woodward back when I used to live in the states.

crash on ice > BlackBird, Mexican Clownshoe pilot
09/09/2013 at 13:48

It was in Alaska. . .so probably not the same guy. Although it was blue!

crash on ice > vdub_nut: scooter snob
09/09/2013 at 13:49

Haha, true. . .but something tells me this probably isn't a winter beater. . .

crash on ice > Mosqvich
09/09/2013 at 13:56

That makes good sense due to the base here. I know the custom import scene is pretty developed as well, so I think you hit the nail on the head.

crash on ice > daender
09/09/2013 at 14:07

I pulled the list, and for whatever reason they only allow the first-gen (1999) V-spec for Show and Display. . .which I can't find specific production numbers, but NHTSA restricts it to "less than 500".

For sake of the car escaping the crusher, I'm going to assume that is what it was. . .although it seems like the odds are not super high.