Skyline Body

[Avenger0405]

Is it possible to get a Skyline R33 body into the US without US Customs bothering me too much about it. I dont need the motor, just a bare body.

[thegladhatter]

No. You won't be able to do that ANY easier than a whole car.

[Skyline69]

sigh.........We all know that Skylines are next to impossible to import. People just keep trying to come up with "ideas". Good luck though.........I hope one day someone finds something that works

[alex4nder]

Originally Posted by Avenger0405

Is it possible to get a Skyline R33 body into the US without US Customs bothering me too much about it. I dont need the motor, just a bare body.

Sure, you just need to make sure that it qualifies as parts (i.e. no engine or transmission are included), then it's just as easy as bringing any other motor vehicle part into the US. You need to make sure that all of the individual components comply with the FMVSS (e.g. brake lines, windshield glazing, tire certification). Your customs duty will be 2.5%.

[thegladhatter]

Originally Posted by alex4nder

Sure, you just need to make sure that it qualifies as parts (i.e. no engine or transmission are included), then it's just as easy as bringing any other motor vehicle part into the US. You need to make sure that all of the individual components comply with the FMVSS (e.g. brake lines, windshield glazing, tire certification). Your customs duty will be 2.5%.

If he is shipping the WHOLE body....it AINT happening. When he gets it there it won't be ANY closer to legal than if he shipped a complete car.

Again....IT AINT HAPPENIN'!

[alex4nder]

Originally Posted by bagwanshrirashnish

If he is shipping the WHOLE body....it AINT happening. When he gets it there it won't be ANY closer to legal than if he shipped a complete car.

Again....IT AINT HAPPENIN'!

There is about 25 years worth of precedent from the DOT about vehicle 'assemblages' being legal to import into the US. Since they are not 'motor vehicles' under the law, they do not need to comply with the FMVSS for crash testing. Here is an example of what I'm talking about:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...les/2393y.html

As a person, if you were to use such an assemblage to build a road-going car, the DOT still has no issue as long as you're 'reasonably sure' that the vehicle complies with the FMVSS. You just need to make your state inspector happy. Without this exemption, how do you think any road-legal kit car could be made?

Also, before you paste it: no, the EPA's Kit Car policy does not apply. It's not an inherent violation of the Clean Air Act to import motor vehicle parts, or to build a car.

[VQuick]

Originally Posted by alex4nder

There is about 25 years worth of precedent from the DOT about vehicle 'assemblages' being legal to import into the US. Since they are not 'motor vehicles' under the law, they do not need to comply with the FMVSS for crash testing. Here is an example of what I'm talking about:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...les/2393y.html

As a person, if you were to use such an assemblage to build a road-going car, the DOT still has no issue as long as you're 'reasonably sure' that the vehicle complies with the FMVSS. You just need to make your state inspector happy. Without this exemption, how do you think any road-legal kit car could be made?

Also, before you paste it: no, the EPA's Kit Car policy does not apply. It's not an inherent violation of the Clean Air Act to import motor vehicle parts, or to build a car.

It's already been established that the Skyline is not compliant. They were crash tested, for crying out loud. The gov't has the results of the test, and decided that stock wasn't good enough. That is why Motorex was doing thousands of dollars worth of work to make them legal. The DOT knows the Skyline is not compliant, so why would they listen to someone lie through their teeth, saying that it is?

[alex4nder]

Originally Posted by VQuick

It's already been established that the Skyline is not compliant. They were crash tested, for crying out loud. The gov't has the results of the test, and decided that stock wasn't good enough.

The vehicles were crash tested AFTER the modifications were made. I don't see any documentation anywhere that says the Skyline without a doubt wouldn't have passed the same crash-testing without the modifications. It's an assumption that people have that they wouldn't have passed, and having the required modifications for compliance be confidential is an excellent way for MotoRex to control the market on Skyline importation.

Originally Posted by VQuick

That is why Motorex was doing thousands of dollars worth of work to make them legal. The DOT knows the Skyline is not compliant, so why would they listen to someone lie through their teeth, saying that it is?

I'm not lying if I say I'm reasonably sure that a vehicle I built will comply with FMVSS, and I actually believe it. If you're unsure that the Skyline chassis is safe, based on the fact that MotoRex made modifications, then modify the car yourself and have the validity of the changes documented by a mechanical/materials engineer.

None of this is rocket science. This is how there are people driving legally driving Ultima GT-Rs on the highways: they're reasonably sure they comply.

[thegladhatter]

Al, you in the wrong forum boy. You are way behind the curve here. The Skyline CAN NOT be shipped here in parts and then reassemled to make a legal automobile. Take your 3 posts and move along. You aint ready for this place.

A Skyline body will not ship as parts. You would need to completely disassemble it. THEN after you reassemble it...guess what... it is STILL a Skyline.

[alex4nder]

Originally Posted by bagwanshrirashnish

Al, you in the wrong forum boy. You are way behind the curve here. The Skyline CAN NOT be shipped here in parts and then reassemled to make a legal automobile. Take your 3 posts and move along. You aint ready for this place. A Skyline body will not ship as parts. You would need to completely disassemble it. THEN after you reassemble it...guess what... it is STILL a Skyline.

I've got three posts because I just recently decided to register and respond to a question. This isn't some old-boys club, and I don't need to earn myself a Skyline merit badge in order to post. I've read the CFRs, talked to my lawyer, and personally talked to the DOT on the matter of chassis importation. There's so much misinformation on this topic posted in these forums, that it blows my mind.

Anyhow, Avenger0405, if you really want to do this, you're going to need an agent in Japan (or another friendy country, like New Zealand), and a US customs broker. You'll probably also want to hire a lawyer to verify that I'm not full of shit. If you need legal references, check out FreshAlloy's Skyline section for the last Evolution Imports scam thread I responded to. If you can find a good agent, the chassis (including interior, lights, body panels, and suspension components) will end up costing you about $12-15k including shipping (depending on condition). If you have any more questions, PM me.

Good luck.

[thegladhatter]

...so you concur...It ISN'T ANY EASIER to ship a Skyline body than a whole car.

[alex4nder]

Originally Posted by bagwanshrirashnish

...so you concur...It ISN'T ANY EASIER to ship a Skyline body than a whole car.

No. There is a fundamental difference in the eyes of Federal law between bringing a Motor Vehicle through customs, and bringing Motor Vehicle Equipment through customs. A subset of the FMVSS applies to Motor Vehicle Equipment. A chassis is Motor Vehicle Equipment. It can't be really made any more clear than this.

The DOT has posted their interpretation on the subject several times:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...iles/8513.html

As your question implies, there is a point at which an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment becomes a "motor vehicle". An assemblage becomes an "incomplete motor vehicle" subject to regulation as a vehicle manufactured in two or more stages (49 CFR Part 568) when it consists, at a minimum, of "frame and chassis structure, power train, steering system, suspension system, and braking system, to the extent those systems are to be part of the completed vehicle, that requires further manufacturing operations . . . to become a completed vehicle (Sec. 568.3)." As the intention is to import the  vehicle without the electric power train, the assemblage you contemplate is not a "motor vehicle" and remains an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment whose individual components, as noted in the preceding paragraph, are required to comply with the applicable FMVSS.


http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...les/2393y.html

Under the fact situation you outline, it is immaterial under our regulations whether or not you install the window glass and doors before shipping, or after importation into the United States. If you prefer to install these components before shipping, that is acceptable to us. Those components, such as windshield glazing, that are covered by an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard must comply with such standard upon importation, whether or not they are attached to a larger assemblage of motor vehicle equipment. With respect to windshield glazing, the manufacturer's marking of "ASl" and "DOT" will provide the necessary assurance to a Customs inspector that the glazing conforms.

[Skyline69]

Originally Posted by alex4nder

If you can find a good agent, the chassis (including interior, lights, body panels, and suspension components) will end up costing you about $12-15k including shipping (depending on condition)

Motorex charged that much to import the whole car, plus the body won't be street legal no matter what type of engine you put in it.
IT WON'T MEET CRASH TEST STANDARDS..........AND NO YOU CAN'T MAKE A "kit car".

[alex4nder]

Originally Posted by Skyline69

Motorex charged that much to import the whole car, plus the body won't be street legal no matter what type of engine you put in it.

That price included the cost of the parts, and it was a high estimate at that.

Originally Posted by Skyline69

IT WON'T MEET CRASH TEST STANDARDS..........AND NO YOU CAN'T MAKE A "kit car".

The guy didn't ask how to make a street legal car, he asked if it's possible to get an R33 body into the US.

[Skyline_BNR34]

It's still a Skyline and is next to impossible to get them in the USA so forget it...