Welcome- you're the first to ask about the current definition of "import" and yes, the Z was built in Japan, so it's an import. Unless the Fairlady badge came with RHD, you can bet the previous owner just swapped emblems on a USDM car.

 

 

Well, it sounds like your car could have been imported from Japan (or exported) to another country (maybe Germany where they drive on the same side of the road as we do here in the U.S.) then shipped here to the States. Maybe a serviceman/woman. In any event, it's not a Japan Domestic Market car (nor from any country driving on the left side of the road.)

No matter how you look at it, the car is clearly an "import" by the definition of the word itself. Unlike other Nissans (and Toyotas and...) that are built in the U.S., the Z is a Japan made product through and through. I would suggest, for peace of mind and obtaining the correct parts going forward, going to or calling a U.S. Nissan dealer PARTS DEPT and have them do a VIN lookup. That will tell the entire story. (I mention the parts dept because they're the ones that have ready access to the lookup resources, having to use it to verify if parts fit particular VINs). I wouldn't think you'd have many issues with parts because by the time the 33 was introduced, most cars have/had a close-to-standardized (with subtle nuances here and there) "world build". Big diffs on LHD v RHD but aside from that, should be OK most parts.

To my knowledge, the Z33 (and all Zs for that matter) is NOT known as a Fairlady anywhere but Japan, maybe Austral-Asia region?) Pretty sure that's correct. Europe and North America has never seen the "Fairlady" name other than on badge swapped cars. Kind of like the Lexuses (Lexii?) that people "badge engineer" here for that "JDM swag look", e.g., Lexus IS (U.S.) is known as Altezza in Japan, that type of thing.

 

Don't overthink it … your car was built in Japan and exported somewhere.

It's not special in any form or fashion. Many many many cars are built in one country and exported to many many many other countries… your car (like mine, like mic's, like DKs) are one in a bizzzalllliiionnn on the earth.

Take the fairlady badge off … it makes you look like a dork.

 

 

Depends. Does the car have more than one sticker on the rear window?

On that note, does anyone else get that "ricer" is a semi-racist term? Laff.... no, I'm not stressing about it despite my ethnicity. I just think it's funny that that one hasn't raised the ire of the sensitive amongst us.

 

 

I personally don't think its racist. Yes, it is mostly used for 4 cylinder Japanese cars with obnoxious exhausts and overdone fiberglass bodykits, but there are a lot of riced out domestics out there as well. The name just sticked and continued in time to explain the same type/sytle of car. Remember...

R - Race
I - Inspired
C - Cosmetic
E - Enhancements

 

 

Nothing wrong with fairlady badging. I took off the 350. It looks better.

 

Never thought of it that way! And yeah, that's why I said "SEMI-racist"... meaning if someone is sensitive enough to be offended by such slang, they've got bigger issues. Laff. But I get it, racism hasn't any place in society. But to fret about it at every turn, uh, no, that's not me. Got many other things to worry about in life.

Race inspired cosmetic enhancements.

Yup, stickers make ya (look) fast.

BTW, I have stickers on my quarter windows so I ain't baggin' on anyone. Mine don't say "JDM AS F*CK" on 'em though. Laff.

 

Ohh, I have a lot of stickers, Windshield banner, 2 Z1 Motorsports Quarter panel stickers, Shop Sticker on rear glass, and about 10 more on my passenger side dash. If its wrong, I don't wanna be right LOL.

 

 

Gotta love the JDMs. I just got my first Japanese import and I am blown away by the condition it is in. 2003 Fairlady Roadster, 78,00Kms (not miles). All in, including shipping, fees, vehicle cost, etc. about $8000 CDN, that's about $6500US. That's the amount I paid to have it arrive at port in Vancouver. Probably another $1000 in duty, taxes, etc.