Feeler: Importing ST205 (and others) to US Options

[slyd]

I am thinking of starting a company geared towards importing otherwise unobtainable cars, engines, and parts to the US. The 6gen GT-4, of course, is one of these. Also Nissan S15 Silvias, R32 and R34 Sylines, and other Japanese and European goodies that due to DOT and EPA restrictions are not importable. I already know all the laws and rules and have formulated a method for doing this legally. And it's not easy, there is a lot you have to do to keep them completely legal and road-safe. A few questions, though. 1. How much would you be willing to pay for an ST205? 2. What other cars would you recommend? 3. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

[slyd]

Well, as I said, my network of buyers should be able to locate nearly any vehicle. So SS-II and SS-III are definately options, actually cheaper and easier (except for the 3sge-vvt-i models).

As for buying a cosmetically flawed vehicle for customization, we should be able to find a reduced price, well used, fender bender, or something. If your going to replace body panels with fiberglass or carbon, restyle, reupholster, repaint, etc. anyway, why buy a perfect specimen? But I will not sell anything, other than by explicit customer request, that is substandard. Likewise, I will not buy anything that requires anything other than minimal reconditioning. Most vehicles will come with a warranty, probably a year or two. But the lawyers and insurace people will have a lot of say on that front.

As for left hand conversion, there are two ways: 1. Locate new or used dash pieces from a LHD-spec or similar dash from the same manufacturer and extend wiring, fabricate bracketry, ducting, and such. 2. Complete fabrication of mirror image dash. Obviously number 2 is more expensive, but normally we should be able to locate suitabe parts for the conversion. As far as the GT-4 goes, just get a dash out of a wrecked LHD-spec ST or GT and your half done. Making it look stock and pretty is the hard part, wiring and mechanicals (usually) are fairly easy.