If you’re a fan of Japanese cars, you probably know about the Nissan Skyline R34, the legendary sports car that was never officially sold in the US. You may have seen it in movies, video games, or magazines, but chances are you’ve never seen one in person. And if you have, it was most likely a coupe, not a sedan.
But what if we told you that there’s a right-hand-drive R34 Skyline sedan in Kansas, of all places? Yes, you read that right. A Reddit user posted a photo of this rare beast, spotted in a parking lot in the Sunflower State. The car is silver, with black wheels, tinted windows, and a subtle spoiler. It looks sleek, stealthy, and stunning.How did this car end up in Kansas? How rare is it? And what makes it so special? Let’s find out.
The History of the R34 Skyline
The Nissan Skyline is a long-running series of cars that dates back to 1957. It has gone through several generations and body styles, from sedans to coupes to wagons. But the most famous and revered version is the R34, which was produced from 1999 to 2002.
The R34 Skyline was the ultimate evolution of the Skyline GT-R, a high-performance variant that debuted in 1989. The GT-R was powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter inline-six engine, codenamed RB26DETT, that produced 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque.
The engine was mated to a six-speed manual transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive system, called ATTESA E-TS, that could vary the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. The GT-R also had a sophisticated four-wheel steering system, called HICAS, that improved handling and stability.
The R34 Skyline GT-R was the ultimate expression of this formula. It had a more refined and powerful version of the RB26DETT engine, with improved turbochargers, intercoolers, and exhaust. It also had a more aerodynamic and aggressive body, with a larger front bumper, a rear diffuser, and a carbon-fiber rear wing. The R34 Skyline GT-R also had a new feature, called the Multi-Function Display, that showed various performance data, such as boost pressure, oil temperature, and g-force.
The R34 Skyline GT-R was a legend in Japan, where it dominated the racing scene and the tuning culture. It was also a star in the international media, appearing in movies like The Fast and the Furious and video games like Gran Turismo. But it was never officially sold in the US, due to strict emissions and safety regulations. Only a handful of R34 Skyline GT-Rs were imported to the US, either through loopholes or illegal means, and they are extremely rare and expensive.
The R34 Skyline Sedan
But the R34 Skyline was not only available as a coupe. It was also offered as a four-door sedan, which was less common and less popular than the two-door version. The sedan was mainly aimed at the family market, offering more space and practicality than the coupe. It was also cheaper and less powerful than the GT-R, with a range of engine options, from a 2.0-liter inline-four to a 2.5-liter inline-six, with or without turbochargers.
The R34 Skyline sedan was not a bad car, by any means. It was still a Skyline, after all, with a sporty chassis, a sleek design, and a decent performance. But it was overshadowed by the GT-R, which was the ultimate Skyline and the ultimate dream car for many enthusiasts. The sedan was also less customizable and less tunable than the coupe, with fewer aftermarket parts and options available. The R34 Skyline sedan was also never sold in the US, for the same reasons as the GT-R.
It was even rarer and more obscure than the coupe, with very few examples making their way to the US. And among the sedans, the rarest of the rare was the right-hand-drive version, which was only sold in Japan and a few other countries that drive on the left side of the road.
The RHD R34 Skyline Sedan in Kansas
How did a right-hand-drive R34 Skyline sedan end up in Kansas, a state that drives on the right side of the road? The answer is not clear, but we can make some educated guesses.
The car must have been imported to the US somehow, either legally or illegally. The legal way to import a car that is not certified for the US market is to wait until it is 25 years old, which is the minimum age for a car to be considered a classic and exempt from emissions and safety regulations. The R34 Skyline was produced from 1999 to 2002, which means that the earliest models are now eligible for importation, as of 2024.
Importing a non-certified car into the US illegally involves smuggling methods like falsifying documents, hiding in containers, or using shell companies. This risky approach can lead to seizure, destruction, fines, and jail time. Some risk it for personal pleasure or profit. Registering such a car in Kansas can be done legally or illegally. Legal registration involves complying with state laws. Illegal registration means bypassing laws through fake documents, bribery, or exploiting loopholes. This risky method can result in impoundment, confiscation, penalties, and legal issues. Despite risks, some choose this route for convenience or evasion.
The car must have been driven in Kansas somehow, either legally or illegally. The legal way to drive a car that is not certified for the US market is to follow the state’s traffic rules and regulations, which may differ from the country of origin of the car. The car may need to have proper equipment, such as headlights, taillights, mirrors, and windshield wipers, to be visible and safe on the road. The car may also need to have a valid driver’s license, registration, and insurance, to be legal and responsible on the road.
The illegal way to drive a car that is not certified for the US market is to ignore the state’s traffic rules and regulations, either by driving recklessly, dangerously, or stealthily, or by avoiding or fleeing from the authorities. This is also a risky and costly method, as the car can be damaged or destroyed in an accident or a chase, and the driver can face charges and consequences. But some people are willing to take the risk, either for fun or for thrill.
To sum up, the right-hand-drive R34 Skyline sedan in Kansas is a very rare and special car, that must have gone through a lot of trouble and expense to get there. It is a car that defies the odds, the laws, and the norms, and stands out from the crowd. It is a car that deserves respect, admiration, and curiosity.
If you ever see this car in person, you should consider yourself lucky, because you may never see it again. And if you ever get a chance to talk to the owner, you should ask them about their story, because it must be fascinating. And if you ever get a chance to drive this car, you should cherish it, because it must be amazing.
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Nissan Skyline – R34 Market – CLASSIC.COM
Contemporary Classics: Nissan R34 Skyline | U.S. News
Are All Nissan Skylines Right Hand Drive? – Garage Dreams
