My FD in Japan
02-18-12, 10:45 AM
#51
This petition was approved and resulted in:
4. Docket No. NHTSA-98-4578
Nonconforming Vehicles: 1987-1995 Mazda RX-7
Substantially similar U.S.-certified vehicles: 1994-1997 Mazda
RX-7
Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR 58090 (October 29, 1998)
Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP-279
But if VSP-279 looks familiar it's because that is the eligibility number for importing LHD versions of the RX-7. So still no RHD's allowed.
02-18-12, 11:17 AM
#52
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This piece of paper refers to a petition to request a ruling from the NHTSA. That is not a approval, just acknowledgment of receipt of a request. Show the Ruling.
The petition also does not state RHD vs LHD perhaps intentionally, but submitter does claim "identical" air bag and seat belt system; sorry but to the Fed's Identical does not include mirror image. I have no skin in this game, I just don’t want people to set false hopes or worst, get the car into the country, get it titled and registered in a state (that part is not so hard) and then one day have the Feds come by, confiscate the car and crush it up. It happens on a higher percentage than an IRS audit so don’t play the gamble, they don’t track from the individual up but from the “dealer” down.
I am not stating that we have no RHD RX-7's over here. I am stating that they are NOT Federally approved and thus illegal and thus subject to forfeiture.
The petition also does not state RHD vs LHD perhaps intentionally, but submitter does claim "identical" air bag and seat belt system; sorry but to the Fed's Identical does not include mirror image. I have no skin in this game, I just don’t want people to set false hopes or worst, get the car into the country, get it titled and registered in a state (that part is not so hard) and then one day have the Feds come by, confiscate the car and crush it up. It happens on a higher percentage than an IRS audit so don’t play the gamble, they don’t track from the individual up but from the “dealer” down.
I am not stating that we have no RHD RX-7's over here. I am stating that they are NOT Federally approved and thus illegal and thus subject to forfeiture.
02-18-12, 11:27 AM
#53
True it is a petition, there is another paper that states the petitioner must be able to prove in order for it to be petitioned, in the case crash tested. Also if you read it a little closer it states "it carefully compared the Non-U.S. Certified 1987-1995 Mazda rx7 to it's U.S. Certified counter part". Non U.S certified would be RHD, it's something you have to read inbetween the lines for. So in this case I'm still not giving a false hope. Thanks to this RI petitioning it, the NHTSA has granted it to be legal, or fedarally legal as you say. If you want that paper too I can provide it. Let me know
David
02-18-12, 08:13 PM
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I'll never get how you can register a hand made kit car but not one that was manufactured by a reputable international car company from one of the top economic powers of the world.
02-19-12, 12:47 AM
#57
True it is a petition, there is another paper that states the petitioner must be able to prove in order for it to be petitioned, in the case crash tested. Also if you read it a little closer it states "it carefully compared the Non-U.S. Certified 1987-1995 Mazda rx7 to it's U.S. Certified counter part". Non U.S certified would be RHD, it's something you have to read inbetween the lines for. So in this case I'm still not giving a false hope. Thanks to this RI petitioning it, the NHTSA has granted it to be legal, or fedarally legal as you say. If you want that paper too I can provide it. Let me know
02-19-12, 01:55 AM
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Read my excerpt of the VSP assignment it is the same Docket number for the petition you quoted. Now ready the VSP list of eligible cars, not "RHS" stated next to RX-7 and notes above state if RHD is not listed then eligibility so only for LHD. And as mentioned elsewhere LHD to '95 models went all over the world except to Japan, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong (all small markets outside of japan). That leaves all of Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America, Middle East, Russia with LHD’s open to import; but why bother, it’s the 99-02 Japanese only market cars and ’06 SP edition in Australia that have enough mystique to put up with steering from the wrong side of the road.
02-28-12, 06:02 AM
#61
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3rd go in Japan..... Listen to the members!
Just so you know this isn't CAREDDEN's first time in Japan and this is my third time in Japan. You cannot bring it back legally, I have a 98 FD and I've had actual email conversations with the EPA and DOT. If it's over 25 years old there is no problem. However because your car is a RHD it cannot be legally imported. There are ways to get it in, BUT like everyone else has told you if you try to register it don't be upset if you get a visit from the Fed's. I know they were pulling Skylines off the streets in Cali and even grabbed a friends in LA from the paint shop.
There is a ton of experience on this website it would be in your best interest to listen to what they have to say. Bring back the parts and buy a LHD FD or bring back the shell and risk the chance of getting caught at the port and the trouble of registering it. If there was a way to do it and get away with it, believe me, you would be getting a lot of support from the members on here of how to do it. Just food for thought.
02-28-12, 06:25 AM
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I've actually given up on it man, wife does not want to deal with it so my IHC said I can just buy one in the states. Sorry if I miss led anyone. I've actually been in Japan for a while myself, going on 4 years here soon.
06-12-12, 02:02 PM
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