Thread: US Department of Justice Demands Export/Surrender of Kaizo Skyline GT-R

The ONLY legal/federalized Skyline GTR's are Motorex cars. I personally know the owner of Kaizo(great guy) and he was doing everything correct by the law, but it the DOT and EPA never liked the Skyline's to be imported here. Plus there was never a work around for the OBDII to make it DOT/EPA compliant.

I think I read something similar to this is in the magazine 0-60 awhile back.

what is different about kaizu gTR? it says 09 so its same as we have here but?

Wow... Really?

Originally Posted by eshaun

Occupational (dealer plates)...not a cheap process, but doable. Then drive as many "race" cars on the street as you want, just dont be an idiot with the privilege...

CA Department of Motor Vehicles- Occupational License Plates

I was told by dealer that that is actually untrue and even a dealer could get in load of trouble driving something on the street thats not otherwise allowed to be there...even with dealer plates.

Originally Posted by Corvetteboy3

I think I read something similar to this is in the magazine 0-60 awhile back.

The article that you're referring to was the story about Moterex and the owner Hiro. It had nothing to do with Kaizo.

This letter has TWO items presented in it... First is that the car is being operated on roads while not meeting standards... This part does not create cause for removal from US soil... Just restricts it to off road use.

The second part is the question on how it got into the United States. This part states that if it is a "non-compliant vehicle unlawfully imported" it needs to be exported...

You can legally import non-compliant vehicles through a number of actions... the issue is that Kaizo did not follow the standard import processes... Kaizo decided to disassemble the cars, reinforce the body's, and sell them as kits or sometimes assembling them for sale...

Doing this process the correct way insures that you can get around a number of standards... Arial is one example of finding ways to bend the rules... Kaizo didn't find a way to bend the rules... they broke them and lead buyers to think the cars now meet some form of standard and can be approved for road use... Much like Kikker does for motorcycles... difference being getting a bike plated is easy, a car has much more it needs to go through...

their website is currently down because of this fraud... but this is what it used to say...



"Kaizo Unibodies, Inc. is a company that seeks to provide the opportunity for enthusiasts to build and own cars similar to those that are otherwise unattainable.

Each unibody is handpicked by the most demanding eyes, being scrutinized even prior to the remanufacturing process before undergoing a comprehensive 100-point inspection.

As well as reviewing the car in person, the Kaizo team combs through all documented history to ensure no prior accident, flood or salvage history is present. Any detection of frame damage automatically disqualifies the candidate.

The bottom line? Kaizo starts with the best possible example of each vehicle. Then the reconstruction begins. Worn parts are replaced and the body is stiffened with welded L-brackets under the front fenders and welded bracing connecting the
strut towers to ensure rigidity equal to or better than new.

After the unibody has been reconditioned, selected areas are addressed to create a chassis that is designed to be safe on American roads. The door beams are moved up and welded in place, to protect the driver in case of impact in the land of the SUV. DOT approved passenger seat restraints and brake lines are fitted and the vehicle is equipped with approved glazing.

Only after completing this rigorous process and receiving a 17-character VIN does the unibody become a Kaizo."

^^ Kaizo did not supply the drivetrain.