Kyosho Original 1/64 Initial D Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86): Buying Guide
Kyosho's own 1/64 Initial D Trueno (Takumi's car) — in stock direct from Kyosho USA, tied to our AE86 chassis file.
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Every KUROGANE guide
The full library — chassis-code canon, 25-year-rule eligibility bulletins, auction-sheet decoding and importer guides. Newest first.
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Newest first
Mini GT 1:64 Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34) NISMO Z-Tune: Pre-Order Guide
A 1:64 pre-order diecast of Nismo's 19-unit Z-Tune R34 — the closest most collectors will get to owning one, tied to our BNR34 chassis file.
Now Eligible: The JDM Cars Clearing the US 25-Year Rule in July 2026
Cars built in July 2001 — including mid-run R34 GT-Rs and Silvia S15s — clear the US 25-year exemption this month; the entire JZX100 Chaser production run (ended June 2001) finished clearing last month.
Tomica Limited Vintage, Explained: The 1/64 Line Every JDM Collector Ends Up Buying
Tomica Limited Vintage (TLV, 2004) and TLV-Neo (TLV-N, 2006) are Tomytec's display-grade 1/64 diecast lines — TLV covers 1950s-70s classics, TLV-N covers 1970s-2000s JDM, the era most chassis on this site come from.
Japanese Auction Grades, Explained: What USS's Numbers and Letters Actually Mean
A Japanese auction sheet carries three separate readings — an overall condition number (S/6...1, or R/RA for repair history), a separate interior letter grade (A-E), and a diagram of specific panel damage. Read all three; none of them alone is the price.
Nissan Silvia S15: The Complete Chassis Guide
S15 — Nissan's final Silvia (Jan 1999-Aug 2002), SR20DET turbo four (Spec-R) or SR20DE NA (Spec-S). Holds the Guinness World Record for most D1 Grand Prix titles (5). Earliest builds cleared the US 25-year exemption in Jan 2024.
Toyota Chaser JZX100: The Complete Chassis Guide
JZX100 — Toyota's 1996-2001 Chaser sedan, 1JZ-GTE single-turbo straight-six, RWD, shares its platform with the Mark II and Cresta. Every JZX100 built has now cleared the US 25-year exemption (last cars: June 2026).
Toyota AE86 (Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno): The Complete Chassis Guide
AE86 — Toyota's 1983–1987 rear-wheel-drive Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno, 1.6L twin-cam 4A-GE. Already decades clear of the US and Canadian import age lines; originality (unmodified engine/emissions) is the real question left for this chassis.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (BNR34): The Complete Chassis Guide
BNR34 — Nissan's last Skyline GT-R (Jan 1999–2002), RB26DETT twin-turbo straight-six, ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive. Early 1999 examples cleared the US 25-year exemption in January 2024; later builds clear on their own schedule.
The 25-Year Import Rule, Explained (Plus Canada's 15-Year Clock)
A car clears the US 25-year exemption (49 CFR § 591.5) on its own manufacture month, not its model year; Canada's threshold is 15 years. A separate EPA 21-year rule and your state/province registration are additional, distinct questions.
Kei Cars, Explained: Japan's Smallest Vehicle Class and Why the World Wants It
Kei is Japan's legally defined light-vehicle class (660cc displacement cap, strict size limits) traded for lower taxes and running costs. Kei trucks/vans/sports cars are its famous shapes; US import (federal 25-year rule) and state road registration are separate hurdles.
What Does JDM Actually Mean? (And What It Doesn't)
JDM = built for Japan's home market, not merely 'made by a Japanese brand'. Japan-only trims, the kei class, shaken and the dealer-auction system explain both why JDM cars are special and why so many are exported.
Honda Civic Type R EK9 (1997–2000): Chassis Reference, B16B Specs & Import Eligibility
The EK9 Civic Type R (built August 1997-August 2000, Japan only) was Honda's first Type R Civic: a seam-welded three-door hatch powered by the hand-ported 1.6-liter B16B making 185 PS at 8,200 rpm - 115.6 PS per liter. Every EK9 has now passed the US 25-year rule and Canada's 15-year rule, but confirm each car's build month before importing.
How Much Does It Cost to Import a JDM Car to the US? The Real Cost Structure
Importing a JDM car to the US has no single price — it is a stack of six costs: the auction hammer price, Japan-side export/inland fees, ocean freight (RoRo or container), US customs duty (2.5% for a passenger car per CBP, 25% for trucks), CBP processing fees plus broker and bond, and US domestic transport and state registration. Verify every figure per case.