I have grown tired of multiple people stating that their imported right hand drive (RHD) RX-7s are 100% legal, legally registered, etc. I feel this way because the vast majority of these claims are just not true.

The truth is that in the traditional sense these cars can not be legally registered, unless they are 25 years old or older. I say in the traditional sense because when ever someone asks if its legally registered they are almost always asking if they could daily drive it if they wanted. The reason this needs to be specified is because there are other options for registration, show or track only. Show registration allows you to drive X amount of miles per year. So while you can drive it on public roads, it is only meant to be between shows. Track-only is exactly what it sounds like, where you can track it, and it must be trailered on public roads.

This is not to say that registering it can’t be done. It can be done, this is because the governing body that cares about these vehicles being here is the federal level. If you can get it past customs, and get a US title, you’re home free and it is highly unlikely you will be bothered. Keep in mind that if you are in an inspection or emission testing state, it is more likely you will get caught.

There is the argument I have seen, “Of coarse its legal, I’ve imported other cars, so why wouldn’t this be legal.” Now while logically that may make sense, we are talking about the federal government, and as most of us know, very little of what they do makes sense. There are other vehicles of the same period that can be imported. These vehicles are called “eligible, non-conforming vehicles.” Basically meaning that they were not manufactured for sale in the US, but are eligible for importation. There are several ways that a given car can make it on this list, first you get a letter from the manufacturer that says, yes, it meets US standards (emissions, and crash test) , or a registered importer must crash and record the results (I’m thinking it has to be like 6 crash tests). There are several problems with these methods. First the obvious, the cost to crash test these cars is going to be pretty high. The second is that it is very difficult to get a hold of a major manufacturers, especially when they won’t be making money off the sale of the (used) vehicle.

Now keep in mind the fact that a vehicle (in our case a 7) is RHD is not inherently illegal. But at the same time it is a key point in the legality of the registration of the car.
This is a very important thing to remember when looking at the list of eligible non-conforming vehicles. If you look, the FD is present on the list, but not indicated RHD. This means that it can be imported but only in its left hand drive form. For an example, you could bring in a Canadian one, but not a Japanese one.

You may ask, “why should I believe this?” I have spent countless hours doing research, including, but not limited to, speaking with customs, Mazda, local law enforcement. I also owned a JDM RHD RX7, and had customs issues. I also know a number of people with different RHD vehicles.

To view the list eligible, non-conforming vehicles Click Here, or visit www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig092210.pdf

Feel free to post any questions you may have. I may not know the answer to your questions, but will do my best to find the answer.

 

im assuming your talking about any state in the USA only , Canada has some different laws ,ie 15 years or older for imported RHD cars , only struggle now is that a lot if insurance companies are finally realizing that RHD cars are unsafe for modern daily driving so the only way of getting insurance is to go with a classic car insurance or to pay big money with state farm or facility.

since almost all insurance companies have stopped insuring RHD cars most of the big importers around montreal/quebec and BC has some what faded away iv found. i wouldnt be surprised if canada jumped on the band wagon and banned importing RHD cars like the US has done.

my FD is RHD , imy own opinion on this is its a bit silly just because the steering wheel is on the opposite side shouldnt be making such a big deal , its still just a car , legal to drive with a valid safety and E test just like anyone else driving a vehicle and for how much i drive my fd which is only on the weekends if im lucky , its not like im heading for every intersection with a stop light where i cant see around the big truck in the on coming lane turning left and i have to wait till the light turns yellow to complete my turn.... thats just my 2 cents!

 

you are correct about being US oriented information. I agree with it being BS as far as unsafe, you just have to be smart about driving. Similarly i have run into issues driving LHD as well (granted not as often). The US has only (fairly) recently gone to the 25 year rule, it used to also be 15 years. The change was within the last 5-6 years if i remember correctly.

On a some what related note, there is speculation (as there always is) regarding the real reason for the import regulations. The thought is that the reason for 25 year rule has nothing to do with EPA standards, of safety standards. Which makes sense, wouldn't an older car be "dirtier" and less safe? The idea is that it is the government protecting the interest of car manufactures' US branches.

 

I been told the best way to import a car over hassle free is if you take the entire car apart it will be considered as auto parts so the duty is cheaper and customs will not bother you regardless of it being a RHD vehicle. When you build it back up it is also recommended that you take a totaled or salvage titled FD vin number. I know this b/c someone did this from South Africa to the US this way.

 

That still doesn't make it legal, all that does is get it in under the radar so to speak.

 

Ummmm.... that is a felony

 

Again like i said, it is possible to get one in, just not legally.

 

Yup, it's like changing VIN on a stolen car.

 

yeah but it works

 

I have a RHD FD in Alberta, finding insurance was far from easy. most places wouldn't even talk to you if you mentioned it was imported. the places that would asked if 1. I was over the age of 21 (I am) 2. if I had my graduated or full licenses (I have my full)

my FD is also insured as a secondary under my truck (07 B3000) through TD and my rates are quite reasonable. Ive been driving since i was 16 (now 24) I've been in 2 not at fault accidents and no tickets on my record (i got a photo radar for doing 36 in a 30 zone a few years back but that doesn't effect my record), I'm paying $180 a month for both cars. its ~$14 a month for my FD as a secondary under my truck and for that price i don't care enough to change my insurance from full to park for the winter months when i don't drive it.

I can understand why insurance companies dont like new or young drivers driving RHD and i think thats given the cars a bad rep over here. i know in AB tuns of kids used to whip skylines and RX7's that had been imported and race them at the illegal street races and just crash them.

my biggest advice to anybody looking to get into a RHD or that owns one is take your time when your driving, drive troughs left hand turns and passing on undivided highways are all doable but take a little extra care.

 

Uh...no, it doesn't. This is just stupid. You'll still have more effort and money in it than it's worth as a whole. And the steering wheel will still be on the weird side. Remember, unlike some others, the FD was imported here in numbers. A legal one is alot easier. Besides, the car is suppose to be 'fun', not something to cause you look over your shoulder worrying if it'll be seized and crushed...and especially not a catalyst for going to jail. I used to work Auto Theft. Jacking with VINs will absolutely do that, and my state will even charge you fuel costs for the crusher.

 

So does a prison sentence, at making more involuntary gays

 

It is not BS that the Japan safety standards are nowhere near what they are in the US, the legal speed limits are much lower here. Only a lack of side safety glass, and air bags in the FD3S RX-7 but most JDM vehicles with US counterparts are missing bumper, and door supports. Non-safety glass tastes bad. Trust me.

 

The point was more that they (DOT) claim safety and emissions are the reason, yet there many vehicles on the road that would be much worse. do you have a link that i could read through JDM regulations? i would love to increase my knowledge on the subject.

 

We know that is true, that's why there are import tariffs

What is a Car Tariff?


But I also believe some of the reason is due to saftey and emission regulations.

 

So, if I'm looking at this right, the RX7 from 1986 thru 1995 has a VSP number. And a VSP number is:

"VSP" eligibility numbers are assigned to vehicles that are decided to be eligible under 49 U.S.C. § 30141(a)(1)(A), based on a petition from a manufacturer or registered importer which establishes that a substantially similar U.S.-certified vehicle exists.

Would that mean that the RX's, 95' and prior are fine to import, as long as it goes through an actual import company?

Regulations.gov

Regulations.gov

What the hell are they saying in these above?

 

@ Dark, I appreciate the input!

I will have to do some more research. But the one written by this Nicholis fella is interesting. I believe I understand what he is say, and agree with his points. However it would appear that it still comes back to the point it is not listed as RHD on the eligible nonconforming list.

I could not locate the docket numbers he listed, so i will continue to check into those. But if I had to guess the point that it isn't listed as RHD will kill any chance of getting them in, most government interpretation is black and white. And the fact that he (Nicholis) states "It can be IMPLIED that petitioner, JK Motors, was referring to the RHD RX-7." Implied isn't part of black and white.

 

That's what I think as well, that sucks that even though it's implied that the car is RHD, it doesn't work unless it's in black and white.

 

Let's see how your federally legal obligations work out for you. So all the people that smoke the green in california or colorado or even perhaps the medical patients in washington DC, our country's capital are going to get busted due to the fact these are illegal actions they are taking? You sir need to think where this country is going and heading. I have an r34 on its way and already have my 97 fd type r, both will be completely state legal and federally never touched due to the fact they were legally imported as a drivable car.

My 2 cents

 

This is basically what my first post states. The only way either of those cars are here is, at best, a gray market loophole. Again, once registered it is unlikely that you will be bothered.

 

You can import RX7's currently. The cost is about 15-20k. That's where the issues lies. The cost.

There is no cheap and legal way to import the car.

 

Well it's 2016 now, and from what I've read, the 25 year rule goes from the date of manufacture of the vehicle. So you could possibly import a 1992 FD3S RX-7 that was manufactured in say, for example, January of 1991, but even if not, a 1992 FD3S RX-7 should be legal next year, 11 months from now, in 2017. As for the cost of importing... I don't know. That could potentially make it not even worth it. And buying a car from Japan, without seeing it in person, is also a huge gamble. I wouldn't buy one anywhere in the US without flying out to where it's at, to check it out in person first. Yes, registered importers do it all the time, but you're putting all your trust in the importer. So unless you trust that person 100%, it's also a risky situation.

 

yup... the fd in japan is already starting to hit the "gtr tax". the 92 model will be eligible next year and the mega rare december 91 models will be eligible this year. next year im betting the price of the fd will sky rocket in japan as more and more become eligible. right now the average cost of a 92 in japan is ~12k. thats with the car being a year out from importation. eligible r32 gtrs are going for 12-16k in japan. im guessing the fd will either go up to that range or higher since "rx7 yo". i wouldnt be too weary of buying a jdm fd. take it from me when i say the japanese take exceedingly great care of their cars and the ones that an fd are more cautious than most americans.

i would buy with confidence with any imported fd that was japanese owned.

 

production of the JDM FD started earlier than the US, 10/91. plus you can factor in the 2 months that it takes to ship the car, and probably another couple for customs/papers....

 

You may be right when it comes to the quality of cars coming from Japan. But I just personally heard a horror story of somebody that had gotten A car that was really messed up From Japan through that process.