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New member - need help with legality of car.

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Old 09-21-18, 04:37 PM
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New member - need help with legality of car.

ive come into possession of a RHD 02’ Spirit-R. I can give out the vin and other information. I have all the paperwork but as to the question of legality: I’m not sure if it was imported legally. If anyone has any experience with importing cars I would appreciate a PM.


second question:

I own several drags cars and DD cars. I used to own a Porsche Cup car that I took to track days but sold it a while back. I would like to build another track car, maybe 65-75% track oriented that a I would put 4-7,000miles a year on the road. Who is my best bet for building such a car? I’m not worried about the financial aspect of this I’m looking for the highest quality of detail.


Last question:

ive obviously read things online about tracking an RX-7 but I wanted to hear from members of the community as to the reliability of high lap 550-650whp car. Maybe just the reliability in general as obviously engine build and driving style would play a large factor in how much use i can get out of the car.


Appreciate any input, glad I signed up and excited to finally have a RX-7.
Old 09-23-18, 05:16 PM
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The cross-eyed kid

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If really a true legit Spirit R, I personally would leave it alone as much as possible and if I changed anything it would be easy to change back stock with orginal parts. At 550-650hp you'll be running single turbo with all supporting mods(cooling, suspension, ECU, etc)and probably a different transmission/rear end since stock will be struggling at that point. Then you have motor reliability also since you're pushing it almost 3x more then what it was made to handle. So it might be better to sale and/or get different model if resale is important later or just remember when you do sale it will take a massive hit since its only a Spirit R in name only at that point and well most want them for a collection.
Old 09-23-18, 06:57 PM
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If you are in the US, that car is illegal. Period. It must be 25 years old unless imported under the show and display clause (which it isnt listed on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_or_Display). It isn't, and never will be legal to put on the road. Some states will let it slip through the cracks but at the end of the day it is federally illegal and they could take it at any time if its registered for street use.
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Old 09-24-18, 05:30 AM
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Have RX-7, will restore


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Were you ever issued a title for the car? And if so is the car titled in a U.S. state?
Old 09-24-18, 06:17 AM
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^Possessing a State title makes no difference. It doesn’t trump Federal law. A 2002 car would be contraband and, as I understand it from a conversation with a customs agent some years ago, subject to seizure by Federal authorities. How likely that is a wholly separate question.
——> https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...s-usa-1100194/

Last edited by Sgtblue; 09-24-18 at 06:48 AM.
Old 09-24-18, 08:40 AM
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I'd be very worried about having that car in your possession in the US. Besides the fact that they can simply take it from you, you can also be fined or worse. Even if you have a fake or cloned VIN to match a US legal 93-95, etc etc, could still be big trouble EVEN if you don't try to register it and just leave it in the garage.
Old 09-25-18, 10:32 PM
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Curious as to how you came into possession while questioning it’s legality. Typically not a good sign nor will it be worth the trouble based on the responses above.
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