When did the R32 become legal in the US?

Author: Prof. Rodrigo Reinger  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

As of August 2014, the first R32 Skyline GT-Rs became eligible for US import under the NHTSA "25 year" rule that allows vehicles that are 25 years old (to the month) or older to be imported. Due to their age, these vehicles do not have to comply with federal emissions or with federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Is a Nissan Skyline R32 legal in the US?

Firstly, right-hand drive cars are not illegal in the United States, and since the R32s are now US-legal, that clears up that fact. Although they certainly aren't common, even the US Postal Service has frequently used RHD cars, mainly for convenience, as they allow for ease-of-access to the curb.

When did the R32 get banned?

1992 Nissan Skyline GT-R Group A

Thanks to its turbocharged straight-six and genius all-wheel-drive system, the R32 Skyline GT-R was unbeatable in Australian touring car racing. The governing body didn't like that too much, so it banned turbocharging and all-wheel-drive, ending the Skyline GT-R's two-year reign.

When did skylines become legal in the US?

See, the legendary R34 Skyline GT-R won't be legal under the 25-year rule until January of 2024 (The BNR34 GT-R was a Porsche-scaring monster with all-wheel-drive and an RB26DETT 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline six making way more than the advertised 276 horsepower), but 3,895 normal variants made in May of 1998 are ...

Why was the R34 banned in the US?

The model was illegal because it did not pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set under the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. This left many Nissan fans of the model very sad for years.

Japan Car Importing Q&A #1 - Can You Import to California?

What year will the R34 be legal?

This year, Americans can finally import and register the real deal: In 2024, some R34-generation GT-Rs are now eligible for legal ownership in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars are eligible for import 25 years from their date of manufacture.

What skyline did Brian drive?

Movie cars don't come much more exciting for 90s kids than this. Yep, it's Brian O'Conner's actual R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R from 2009's Fast & Furious – the fourth film in the increasingly far-fetched street racing franchise.

What is the 25 year rule for GTR?

If the vehicle is less than 25 years old and was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, and/or was not so certified by its original manufacturer, it cannot be lawfully imported into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless NHTSA determines it eligible for importation.

What was the last year of the GTR R34?

The R34 Skyline GT-R was introduced in 1998, and was available from 1998 to 2002. A technologically advanced display unit set the model apart, while it's RB26DETT twin-turbo I6 engine produced impressive horsepower.

What is the 25 year rule?

A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the United States without regard to whether it complies with all applicable DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

Why is the M3 GT-R illegal?

Strictly speaking, the M3 GTR was a prototype and didn't fulfil the homologation regulations for the ALMS GT series. For those not too clued up about the term, a homologation model is a road-legal car produced in limited series by an automaker that meets specific regulations to compete in a particular racing series.

Why is the R32 special?

The R32 Skyline GT-R, with its innovative features and powerful RB26 engine, set the standard for future GT-R models and is considered one of the greatest performance cars of all time.

When did the R32 retire?

The R32s temporarily resumed service from July 1, 2020 through October 8, 2020 when the R179s were pulled from service. A series of farewell trips with the final train of R32s running in passenger service began on December 19, 2021 and concluded on January 9, 2022.

How many R32 are in the US?

Supposedly there are 10,062 globally of which there are 5,000 in the US and 2,391 in the UK, 200 in Australia and 200 in France.

Which skylines are legal?

The R32 and R33 Skylines have been US-legal for a while now, but the door only began to creak open to the R34-generation cars in 2023. Last year, the lesser-spec ER34, ENR34, and HR34 Skyline models started to become of age, as the earliest examples of those left the factory in 1998.

How much is a R32 skyline in usd?

Q: What is the lowest sale price of a Nissan Skyline - R32? A: The lowest recorded sale price was $7,777 for a 1994 Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R Project Car on Mar 6 2023. Q: What is the average sale price of a Nissan Skyline - R32? A: The average price of a Nissan Skyline - R32 is $46,898.

Which skyline is Godzilla?

The technology and performance of the R32 GT-R prompted the Australian motoring publication Wheels to nickname the GT-R "Godzilla" in its July 1989 edition.

What does GT-R stand for?

GT-R stands for Gran Turismo – Racing. Gran Turismo translates to Grand Touring. The core elements of the GT-R design are for high performance, luxury experience, and long-distance racing. In other words, they are designed to go fast, go far, and make you feel like a movie star.

When did the R34 become illegal?

The ban on the GT-R R34 can be traced back to the enactment of the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. This legislation was largely a response to a growing trend of individuals importing and altering foreign vehicles to meet U.S standards, a process known as "gray market" importation.

What is the life expectancy of a GT-R?

Typically, you can expect a Nissan GT-R to last around 150,000 miles on the road. This number places high mileage at 100,000 and good mileage at anything above the 80,000-mile point. The more work you put into your vehicle, the longer it will survive on the road and in your driveway.

Why are GT-R illegal in US?

The Nissan Skyline ban exists simply because the car failed to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The Nissan Skyline is illegal in the US because of the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. You might recall that the Nissan S 15 is also illegal under this act.

Will GT-R hold value?

A Nissan GT-R will depreciate 45% after 5 years and have a 5 year resale value of $78,109.

What skylines did Paul Walker drive?

The 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R driven by Paul Walker in Fast and Furious 4 has sold in a Bonhams auction for $1.36m including a 15 percent buyer's premium.

What happened to Brian's Evo?

Car No 43, the “2nd Unit Principle” (meaning the main Stunt car, or “Stunt 1”) Evo was sold (or donated) to the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois. It was on display for several years before being sold to a private individual.

How much horsepower does a 1999 Nissan Skyline GTR R34 have?

1. The soul of Godzilla, the RB26DETT engine. The engine of the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is one of the most impressive aspects of the car. Known as the RB26DETT, it's a twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter inline-six engine that produces around 280 horsepower in stock form.

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