Importing a FD under 25 years? YES
 

YES! this right here is the approved link
https://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig120115.pdf (this link is from this page, here: https://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ ) which is what vehicles can be imported.

since the FD was produced in the US til 95, you can imported RHD fd's through 95 with ease.
This brings me to the question, can we import newer fd's (96+) if they were first brought into Canada first, then brought down to the US with a letter from Mazda saying they comply to FMVSS (DOT and EPA requirements) since it's the same body, same chassis, same engine... etc. why not ? I left a message with DOT this morning and i plan to get in contact with them, mazda, and the US EPA this coming week and find out.
"well Sh00bs, if that is your real username, why hasnt anyone looked into this before?"
idk? maybe the have, but i tried using the search feature and google to look into it and cant find any information on it... importers have only starting brininging in late mode 92 and month equivalent '93 FD's into the states under the 25 years law - which doesnt make sense bc you can import any through '95 per the link above ~ LOL

will update with my findings :D

Here we go again.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...weigh-1131545/

Did you read your first link? Specifically did you read the part that says "All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive vehicles except where the initials "RHD," signifying right-hand
drive, appear in the model type column. While there is no specific restriction on importing a right-hand drive
vehicle, they may not be imported under eligibility decisions based on the existence of substantially similar
U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicles alone. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of right-
hand drive vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for
sale in this country. However, we will consider the vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises
us that the right-hand drive vehicle would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in
dynamic crash tests. Absent such a showing, the RI would have to demonstrate (through a petition) that the
vehicle, when modified, would comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, including
those for which dynamic crash testing is prescribed."

If you didn't notice, any RHD car on that list that DOESN'T have RHD listed under the "model" category is not eligible for import under the substantially similar clause. True you could import LHD RX7s from 1990 to 1995. Additionally, it's obvious that they do not extend the date past 95, so why would you even waste their time calling and asking if you can import 96+? Obviously you can not under that clause, and there are no RX7s on the list for show and display, so your only option is the 25 year rule. Therefore you can not import RHD Fd's that aren't 25 years old. Good luck contacting a registered importer that wants to crash test RX7s that are now starting to become legal under the 25 year rule anyway. Your best bet is to beg the NHTSA (generous political donation) to put the spirit R on the show and display list.

Please present the next case of "I can totally import JDM spirit R's" :)

On a side note, I am looking into that R33 skyline model that is legal ..

Oh and I missed something silly too, series 7 (96 to 98) and series 8 (98 to 02) were only produced in RHD format, so there is no LHD 96 and up car for you to import under the substantially similar clause, they don't exist.

it matters? so the wheel is on the other side, otherwise identical, they'll care about that ?

ah i did miss that!
R33's are now legal though, early production ones are. my buddy just brought one in throughhhhh,,, drumrolll please.......... Maryland! no FL title here

Yes, being RHD matters for sure. It is not considered similar and you have to crash test them to prove standards. You're not going to have any luck getting a RI to go through the years long process to get an exemption since the 25 year rule is making all of these legal anyways. What's the point of trying to get a 96 or 97 through when it will be legal in 3 or 4 years? By the time you get the paperwork and money paid, you're sitting at it being legal under 25 but out a crap load of cash if they even allow the exemption.

I just contacted the RI that filed that exemption for the 96 to 98 skyline, I'll let you know what I hear. Interestingly they hold an exclusive patent to bring the car into compliance, so while any RI can technically import a 96 to 98 R33, only the single RI that filed the patent knows exactly what is required, lol. That means that another RI will have to determine compliance totally on their own (meaning it will cost you a lot). I bet they are charging a shit load for them.