Nissan Skyline GT-Rs seized in California over possible illegal importation
Oct 3, 2009 | 08:49 PM
#1
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From: Zoo York
Nissan Skyline GT-Rs seized in California over possible illegal importation 
The importation of the Nissan Skyline GT-R to the United States has been a Hollywood-sized epic spanning ten years. For a while, the only game in town was to go through Motorex for a crash-tested, USDOT and EPA-approved Godzilla. Unfortunately, the company owner let his fondness of Japanese hostess clubs take precedence over delivering cars. Since Motorex shut its doors in 2005, enthusiasts have been scouring each and every loophole in US Customs laws to keep the supplies flowing. In 2006 ,a company called Kaizo began taking orders. Their model, vastly different from Motorex's expensive methods, involved the importation of specialty-constructed Nissan Skyline GT-R bodies from Japan to be mated with customer-supplied powertrains upon delivery to the United States, thus creating a kit car (to put it simply).
Following the tradition that is the GT-R saga, Kaizo's actions have recently been called into question by pretty much every acronymed authority -- DOT, EPA, ICE, CARB, DOJ and FBI. Charges against Kaizo have yet to be filed, but along with a raid on company headquarters, various customers have been delivered letters suggesting exportation and some have even lost their rides. To date, five R34s and one R32 GT-R have been seized by kevlar-clad armed officers. Exasperated customers have banded together in an attempt to find some salvation in this mess, and it isn't only hardcore enthusiasts left out in the cold by the scandal either. Recently, rather high-profile operation utilized Kaizo resources to create a valuable franchise, and if the drama keeps up at this rate, perhaps the Nissan Skyline GT-R story could be their next project.
Following the tradition that is the GT-R saga, Kaizo's actions have recently been called into question by pretty much every acronymed authority -- DOT, EPA, ICE, CARB, DOJ and FBI. Charges against Kaizo have yet to be filed, but along with a raid on company headquarters, various customers have been delivered letters suggesting exportation and some have even lost their rides. To date, five R34s and one R32 GT-R have been seized by kevlar-clad armed officers. Exasperated customers have banded together in an attempt to find some salvation in this mess, and it isn't only hardcore enthusiasts left out in the cold by the scandal either. Recently, rather high-profile operation utilized Kaizo resources to create a valuable franchise, and if the drama keeps up at this rate, perhaps the Nissan Skyline GT-R story could be their next project.
Oct 3, 2009 | 09:56 PM
#2
Watch this space.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,211
I remember all that MotoRex nonsense back in the day. I had asked them about a few things, but they never gave me straight answers. To compound things, the cars are all RHD only. No chance that's worth it... Still a huge shame for the owners to bear the burden here.
Oct 4, 2009 | 06:08 AM
#3
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I want my tax dollars back for all of the government agencies that seem to think seizing a car is actually important. They are spending millions of dollars of our money to accomplish nothing. This gross misuse of resources is insulting. We are in an economic recession, are experiencing widespread unemployment and have enemies around the world plotting violence against this country, yet we have 6 separate agencies and armed personnel out there trying to round up a few dozen cars that pose a threat to no one. I really just want to vomit.
Last edited by Josh; Oct 4, 2009 at 06:12 AM.
Oct 4, 2009 | 02:23 PM
#4
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 183
This really is disgusting that our government would dedicate enough time and resources of over a half-dozen agencies solely to find two dozen, dated Japanese vehicles. In a long enough time, half of these cars will come back to the States once they can be registered classic or vintage cars. It's just truly unfortunate that a few once-legal vehicles have now been deemed a threat and danger on American roads. Just goes to show one more thing our country should not be spending so much money on, just for a few Skylines...
This has been a topic of discussion on well over twenty forums over the past three or four months now. Over on nagtroc those guys know what's happening and can even give detailed and specific information on how Motorex and Kaizo operated and how those with an R32/R34 MIGHT avoid legal ramifications. But it is looking more and more like if the government shows up at your door, you can't stop them from seizing it...
This has been a topic of discussion on well over twenty forums over the past three or four months now. Over on nagtroc those guys know what's happening and can even give detailed and specific information on how Motorex and Kaizo operated and how those with an R32/R34 MIGHT avoid legal ramifications. But it is looking more and more like if the government shows up at your door, you can't stop them from seizing it...
Oct 4, 2009 | 03:00 PM
#5
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 374
From: Sunny San Diego
Please they should be seizing them, they were illegally imported. PERIOD. Ignorance of the law is not a defense. Even if Motorex said they were legal you need to do due diligence and confirm.
The law may be silly but it was there before the cars came in and stuff like this only makes it harder for collectors like me to bring in stuff correctly in the long haul.
The law may be silly but it was there before the cars came in and stuff like this only makes it harder for collectors like me to bring in stuff correctly in the long haul.
Oct 4, 2009 | 03:13 PM
#6
FIGJAM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,463
I want my tax dollars back for all of the government agencies that seem to think seizing a car is actually important. They are spending millions of dollars of our money to accomplish nothing. This gross misuse of resources is insulting. We are in an economic recession, are experiencing widespread unemployment and have enemies around the world plotting violence against this country, yet we have 6 separate agencies and armed personnel out there trying to round up a few dozen cars that pose a threat to no one. I really just want to vomit.
Oct 4, 2009 | 03:17 PM
#7
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,097
From: East Coast
Please they should be seizing them, they were illegally imported. PERIOD. Ignorance of the law is not a defense. Even if Motorex said they were legal you need to do due diligence and confirm.
The law may be silly but it was there before the cars came in and stuff like this only makes it harder for collectors like me to bring in stuff correctly in the long haul.
The law may be silly but it was there before the cars came in and stuff like this only makes it harder for collectors like me to bring in stuff correctly in the long haul.
Seriously dude? Refer to what Josh said, and seriously of all the problems going on I cannot believe importing cars is something we are concerned about. These cars are insane too I wish our communist government would just chill out a bit...
Oct 4, 2009 | 04:54 PM
#8
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,909
Please they should be seizing them, they were illegally imported. PERIOD. Ignorance of the law is not a defense. Even if Motorex said they were legal you need to do due diligence and confirm.
The law may be silly but it was there before the cars came in and stuff like this only makes it harder for collectors like me to bring in stuff correctly in the long haul.
The law may be silly but it was there before the cars came in and stuff like this only makes it harder for collectors like me to bring in stuff correctly in the long haul.
The officials behind this need to be lynched publicly. This misuse of resources is a crime against all Americans.
Oct 4, 2009 | 06:35 PM
#9
Its only three o'clock....wtf
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,774
From: Massachusetts
+1.
Oct 4, 2009 | 07:43 PM
#10
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,846
I want my tax dollars back for all of the government agencies that seem to think seizing a car is actually important. They are spending millions of dollars of our money to accomplish nothing. This gross misuse of resources is insulting. We are in an economic recession, are experiencing widespread unemployment and have enemies around the world plotting violence against this country, yet we have 6 separate agencies and armed personnel out there trying to round up a few dozen cars that pose a threat to no one. I really just want to vomit.
This is sickening.