I used to read that they (bone stock because fan bottoms like to argue semantics) drove (handle) like 90s 2000s Camaro. They aren't worth it, imhop. I had a friend that owned one, damaged broke a oil pan and he had to wait months for the oil pan to come in from Japan. He decided it wasn't worth the wait.
Oh, and no roof either or windshield Zero mirrors since they are all mounted on the doors and windshield Also, brake lights double as turn signals. Stupid
I used to be a vehicle inspector in Texas. I heard a story of a guy whose Wrangler failed inspection due to limo tints all around (which is weird because Texas rarely enforces tint) and he came back later that day with no doors and passed. Before you ask, technically you only need one mirror in Texas, so the inside mirror let him pass even though his side mirrors were on the doors sitting in his garage.
I knew a guy several years ago that made a deal where he drove to Canada on a Monday at 4AM with a Nissan 240SX on a trailer. That didn't really matter since going into Canada he talked to Canadian officers and on the way back it would be American. On the way in they wanted to know what he was doing in Canada with the car on the trailer. He said it was getting some body work done on the car. They actually made note of that in the computer under his name. He was sweating it at the crossing back at 5pm on a Friday a week later. The guard in the booth told him to pull over into the inspection lane. They asked him for the registration paperwork on the car. Well they knew what an R34 looked like and that it was not legal. The notes in the computer said he went in with a 240SX to get body work done. The car had a fresh paint job on it along with a hood, front, side skirts and rear bumper that were not stock as well as having the roof skinned off and carbon skin laid on and new roll cage inside. Well the VIN on the dash under the glass matched the 240SX. So did the door tag and every remaining sticker or tag on it. The motor was missing as it was on the way in. For some reason they never looked under the tarp in the back of the dark tented window Suburban he was towing the trailer with. If they had they would have found the skyline motor. So...as far as they were concerned he had a 240sx that had a LOT of body work done. That is the story of how at least one of the cars ended up in the US around 2011. So if you ever come upon one that has a carbon roof. I don't mean carbon laid over the metal or a vinyl wrap. I mean the frame shell supports left intact. The factory spot welds drilled out the roof skin cut off and replaced by a custom molded carbon roof from windshield to rear window. So if you ever see an R34 Nismo painted in a sparkle gold flake, deep blue, carbon hood with tear drop cold air intake vent on the driver side front, carbon mirrors, carbon roof, giant alloy frame carbon deck wing, carbon lower rear defuser, and the whole underside of the car mostly covered with alloy sheet metal hiding everything. That may be the car.
Naw it is, because consider the price of a Supra before the Fast and Furious came out. I'm just surprised the series didn't have a 260Z or a 510/Bluebird. This movie series did to JDM what the Mad Max movies did to the Australian X body Ford Falcon in America--times two.
Ordered a Bayside Blue R34 poster direct from Motorex back in '00 and its still hanging in my garage framed up as I can always dream about that car....
Middle East gets both of best worlds. Nissan sells the LHD A31 Cefiro sedan as Altima and Lots of American Resto Chevy Pick ups Clean factory mint. Nissan Patrols big turbos with no one batting an eye it's illegal. Etc
Some how there was a video of a Lhd of R34 GTR export from UAE import to Canada. I'm guessing the Canadian owner had more than just deep pockets getting GTR over there.
@@markoz673bajen8 From what I know there was a company either in the UAE or Germany that did LHD conversions of the R-34. I think craig did a post on that on his youtube channel sometime ago
@@COD6953 for a decent part of a history these cars were sorta but not 100% illegal in Continental Europe, it all depended on every specific country and your connections, for example where I live you had to have it converted into a LHD and change the lamps and have it all approved which costed a pretty penny, then someone from Poland won the case on European international court which said that if is something legal in the UK it also should be legal in Continental Europe, ever since then a lot of car been brought here from the UK, not sure why am I telling here this tho
I only recently found this channel and I fell in love. I’ve been following Craig for a year or so now so to see him telling stories on this channel is a huge bonus. Please get him back!
He’s right, the average person doesn’t know what mods to add and now due to buyer stupidity the average person won’t be able To have one. So they’ll just sit forever not being driven.
WAIT! so we have the 25 year rule because of Mercedes and BMW? I would have guessed it was the US auto makers protecting their primary market. We need an RCR story for this.
Yeah, Mercedes started that whole BS because people were importing EU spec cars that were MUCH better than the US spec cars with those ugly bench seat bumpers and they wanted to stop that
@@joealex65 Not only that, but a lot of the time people were importing the non-luxury versions of these cars (crank windows, no power locks, cloth seats, etc) for much less than the luxury models they sell in the US. A BMW is just a car in Germany, not exclusively a luxury car. Or it was when I lived there in the late 80s, it very well may be different now. Plenty of "normal" models without all of the extras. So you'd get the BMW or Merc badge, if that was what you wanted to flaunt, and a better looking car as you said, for a lower price even after shipping. In the military lots of guys used to buy these cars when stationed in Germany and have them shipped back home.
Back in the 2000s, I had a lapse of sanity and was one email away from throwing down on a Motorex car when they very suddenly stopped correspondence. It was Years before I found out why. Not sure how this fits into this story, but I've heard through acquaintances of some of the late 90s hostess bars in Japan that would liquor up the obnoxious Western-variety clientele and roll them coming out of the clubs, but even the Japanese thugs had enough decency to only take their money and leave their wallets otherwise intact. That was the respectful way to do a shakedown if ever I've heard one.
I know a guy who bought one just prior to the end and the feds showed up looking for it. Motorex was doing more shady stuff than what is said in this vid.
Craig Lieberman is awesome. Remember meeting him on a super street cruise to the nopi nationals back in late '90s. He was with eibach at the time. Great story teller
NO. That is false information. The chassis number is correct but the car you describe is wrong: Paul’s white car is still with the family in Cali. There was a VspecII Nür car that MotoRex imported. Was BNR34-403075. Original owner of Paul’s white car sold it back to MotoRex so he could buy and import an identical white Nür car. Which is now in Florida. With the help of GTR registry, Craig and Sean Morris, we were able to publicize many of the MotoRex car VIN’s on VINwiki app and GTR registry
He goes into a story at the hostess bar about making fun of his boss but never tells the rest of the story. What was the point of even mentioning it in the story if you’re just gonna not finish. Very odd
Part of the R34s draw has got to be that we all want what we can’t have. Personally I’d love to own one, but wouldn’t spend the kind of money it would take unless I literally had money to burn
right now prices of R34s are going crazy cause there is a price bubble for them, so are some JDM cars, but however give it several years and that bubble will burst and JDM car prices will be going down
A buddy of mine in the DMV area actually has the last legal tagged and titled R33 from Motorex... My 95 Skyline is tagged and title as a 300ZX Twin Turbo...lol. Kool story!
@@det300zx Was it, originally around New York? Lol. I don’t know the car personally but I’ve seen a decent amount of pics of it from an old for sale ad.
early 2000s,we used to have a Skyline forums here and someone from Motorex would post and chat to members about what they were doing there in the USA.I had no idea the GTRs werent allowed in the USA then.He seemed like a very nice person ....then things went quiet.Now I know why.
It’s not that they weren’t allowed period like they are now, it’s that they were federalizing them, and Hiro fucked up big time. That’s why the 25 year rule applies to any cars period. They don’t want another MotoRex to happen.
There was already a big fight about that on the internet when Sean called out Adam for having an illegal R34, i respect Adamn but it's the truth, his car is not legal, he is safe because the FBI doesn't give a f*ck about that 😂
If federal agency decide to break the balls of lz and other illegal r34 owners, they absolutely can. luckily he lives in florida where the law are kinda laid back. But he is pretty brave to show illegal cars like that publicly on internet, even back then after the motorex scandal blowing up, owners of motorex r34 are super secretive and flying under the radar about their car because they scared of feds will take their cars and crush them.
Many, many years ago, there was a Skyline meet that was announced on a forum I frequented and if memory served, it was in Gardenia, possibly Torrence... I forget exactly. This was after the Motorex debacle broke and the Skylines that showed up were legal Motorex cars, mostly R32’s and 33’s. However, there was 1 R34 there.... it was painted in that ‘mystic’ paint job that Ford had used on the Mustang Cobra, the color shifting one. It was a GT-R, modified too and it sat ABANDONED next to a smog shop with a layer of dust on it. From what people were saying it was Hiro’s car that he abandoned when he fled the US. Not sure what became of it.
That’s Lowballergtr’s R34 GTR. Genuine 01’ VspecII car. Follow him on Insta if you want to see more of it. Had it repainted like factory and it looks amazing. One of the last few MotoRex cars imported
I don't know why people would pay over a hundred grand for a car the federal government could decide you shouldn't posses at any moment. Outside of the 14-16 MotoRex cars, all the others are illegal. That would make me paranoid as hell.
I grew up in Gardena and later lived in North Torrance on Bailey Dr. There was a house nearby who always had different colored Skylines in their driveway. Black, Blue, Silver..I believe it was the parents home of a gentleman named Steve from what I remember... I was selling cars at that time at a franchise store.
I've heard he is in Osaka. He was one of the smartest guys I ever knew. Just for some insight Hiro was only 26 at the time. Got in over his head, started avoiding the shop , got drunk instead. In truth looking back he was probably dealing with depression and definitely stress and he was not listening to those around him that had his best interests.
@@thatonegamer9547 people love making up stories. At the time of his arrest he was quite chunky, despite what you've read Hiro wasn't a drug addict. I can assure you I've done more blow in my life than Hiro did. I'm from L.A. where it use to be a common party drug. Hiro had a drinking problem, he would from time to time smoke weed. MotoRex was owned by a company in Japan called AIC ...ummmm notice who replied to you? I knew Hiro very well.
VINWIKI you have never failed me got another great one! I had no idea the legal numbers of units here in the states was so low! Absolutely that Miami port has one worried about our countries security indeed! 🤘TEXAS!!!
Another great Craig Lieberman story :-) Entertaining guy! The JDM market is alive and well here in Aus under a similar scheme although its softer now that we dont actually make cars in Australia anymore and it requires a Blue compliance plate that's applied and processed by private companies after crash testing and a fairly lengthy and expensive process and owned by them to distribute for suitably complianced cars. On the Nissan side of Blue plates theres many Skylines, GTiR Pulsars and other grey market monsters and the work done is similar re airbags, Seatbelts, headlights etc as it is for US imports with the 25 year rule applying as well. Registration isnt federalised unlike the DMV so each state has its own quirks for blue plate and Engineering/Mod plates so there are also states that have it easier than others to compliance cars. BIG difference is we dont have Feds raiding private homes seizing and destroying illegal to register and own vehicles, So the many Florida spec V6 Chrysler LaBarons are safe here lol Even in Left hand drive.
So funny because at home, Paul mostly drove his everyday, older truck around town. I rarely saw him in anything else.he was a car guy for sure but home, was about surfing, working out at the gym and outdoors and his daughter. Got best of both I guess.
It's about the power the legendary RB26 engine makes when built right, just like the Eclipse GSX when built right can be a astounding 800hp -1000hp monsters on a 4 banger AWD
Every time I hear or read about this story it's always something different. I don't think I will ever know the full/true story about what happened at MotoRex.
Im simple... I see Craig...I click!!! I know people refer to ricer or riced out but damn...growing up in the 90s/2000's. I would loved a fully kited out GTR or Supra!
After driving an r32 I need to drive or own an r34. Dream car for other reasons. Went to Japan and got to see tons of them and fell in love with the sound. Always crave the sound now lol
Finally someone said it and the story is more main stream. Skylines really aren't that awesome, sure they look cool, but drive like absolute crap. Unless you've actually driven one, your fan boy perception has no idea how they actually are.
From what I heard, only the 89-93 r32 GTR was worth it, and because there wasn't another thing like that in east Asia at the time, after that, the r33 and r34 (and the Mitsubishi 3000gt/dodge stealth) aren't that powerful and special in comparison (although they did look cool)
@@cal.or7 as someone who's driven a fully built 500awhp r32, I can confirm that in no way is the car comfortable. Fast? Absolutely. True GT car? For sure. Smooth? Hell no, especially without a rear lock kit for that horrible 4ws.
Man it's disappointing but so true about all R34s. It's something I grew up with as being that icon of JDM super cars, and yet by today's standards, my 2021 Ford Mustang EcoBoost HPP would rip it a new one. Yes you can modify them, sure you can make them crazy. If I had unlimited funds, yes of course I would go after an R34 in a collection. For now I'll just fire up the old video game and keep the memory alive.
@@1nvd So I have to DRIVE one to have an opinion on the hype surrounding it? Like I said the hype surrounding the car is overblown. It's a fucking sports car, not the 2nd coming of Christ.
People can say their own stories in the end. In the end, politicians and bueraucrats were just elevating it to an absurd level, especially "White Power" bellowing "Buy American products if you're a patriot!"
"It's an 'EVO X." Whoa... Hey now. 1. The EVO X isn't the best representation of its namesake (that'd be the EVO IX). 2. If we're comparing a Nissan Skyline GT-R to a parallel Mitsu, it's definitely a 3000GT VR-4.
The R34 just had about the most appealing lines of any of those cars and I have generally been fond of Nissan until relatively recently. I bet the collector value of an R34 is greater than most cars.
Texas has so many loop holes that all you really need to do is modify one, have a master mechanic inspect it, pass a state inspection and you can register it. Hell seen one guy bring a different car in on a salvage title.
Back in the day, around 2004 i've seen a black GTR driving on i-205 south in Portland, Oregon. That might be the black one thats in that picture. Its got oregon plates.
I was today years old when I learned how easy it is to illegally import a R34.
I will now proceed to not act on this information in anyway...
You still have to drop six figures on an R34
Adam LZ’s one is illegal as well I’m pretty sure
@@stefan_4508 it is illegal
Here in Washington its not uncommon to see cars that came in from canada
There used to be grey areas that would let people import The skylines but the government already Stop that unfortunately.
"If you think about it, it's really just an Evo X" brave words from Craig!
I used to read that they (bone stock because fan bottoms like to argue semantics) drove (handle) like 90s 2000s Camaro. They aren't worth it, imhop. I had a friend that owned one, damaged broke a oil pan and he had to wait months for the oil pan to come in from Japan. He decided it wasn't worth the wait.
People often forget they're 3500 pounds 90s gt cars with only 280hp(allegedly 320)
@@blackonblack...9244 couldn't order overnight parts from japan?
His not wrong though.
Evo X is far better than a R34 tho
Craig looks like he spent a little more time in the hostess bar than he’s letting on
😆
The Hispanic version is called Cantinas 🤣
LoL, I'm sure a few maid cafés as well
@@BigSexii craig has definitely been to Adelitas and Hong Kong in TJ
In murica, we call them brothels 😂
R34 GT-R: illegal
Jeep Wrangler with no doors on the highway: that's fine
Yeah thats a lil bs but merica, plus R34's are slow starting to pour in the US now
Oh, and no roof either or windshield
Zero mirrors since they are all mounted on the doors and windshield
Also, brake lights double as turn signals. Stupid
😂😂
I used to be a vehicle inspector in Texas. I heard a story of a guy whose Wrangler failed inspection due to limo tints all around (which is weird because Texas rarely enforces tint) and he came back later that day with no doors and passed.
Before you ask, technically you only need one mirror in Texas, so the inside mirror let him pass even though his side mirrors were on the doors sitting in his garage.
@@thomasjohannesen1003 and yet the R34 is still illegal
I knew a guy several years ago that made a deal where he drove to Canada on a Monday at 4AM with a Nissan 240SX on a trailer. That didn't really matter since going into Canada he talked to Canadian officers and on the way back it would be American. On the way in they wanted to know what he was doing in Canada with the car on the trailer. He said it was getting some body work done on the car. They actually made note of that in the computer under his name. He was sweating it at the crossing back at 5pm on a Friday a week later. The guard in the booth told him to pull over into the inspection lane. They asked him for the registration paperwork on the car. Well they knew what an R34 looked like and that it was not legal. The notes in the computer said he went in with a 240SX to get body work done. The car had a fresh paint job on it along with a hood, front, side skirts and rear bumper that were not stock as well as having the roof skinned off and carbon skin laid on and new roll cage inside. Well the VIN on the dash under the glass matched the 240SX. So did the door tag and every remaining sticker or tag on it. The motor was missing as it was on the way in. For some reason they never looked under the tarp in the back of the dark tented window Suburban he was towing the trailer with. If they had they would have found the skyline motor. So...as far as they were concerned he had a 240sx that had a LOT of body work done. That is the story of how at least one of the cars ended up in the US around 2011. So if you ever come upon one that has a carbon roof. I don't mean carbon laid over the metal or a vinyl wrap. I mean the frame shell supports left intact. The factory spot welds drilled out the roof skin cut off and replaced by a custom molded carbon roof from windshield to rear window. So if you ever see an R34 Nismo painted in a sparkle gold flake, deep blue, carbon hood with tear drop cold air intake vent on the driver side front, carbon mirrors, carbon roof, giant alloy frame carbon deck wing, carbon lower rear defuser, and the whole underside of the car mostly covered with alloy sheet metal hiding everything. That may be the car.
holy crap this story is much better than the one in the video haha
@@opedrovianna yeah lol
VinWiki, hook this guy up. Pretty interesting.
There are a few illegal ones that have made their way to the US from Canada
@@btvbrndn i know of six divided among WA, OR and ID.
Craig calling an R34 a fanboi car is the high water mark of irony lol.
Spoken from actual experience. LOl
Don’t forget... the r34 is the grandfather of all the R chassis and JDM cars.... 😂 wtf
Most JDM cars are overhyped. You can get American muscle cars for dirt cheap compared to JDM sport cars.
@@angelgjr1999 yea but they're slow.
Naw it is, because consider the price of a Supra before the Fast and Furious came out. I'm just surprised the series didn't have a 260Z or a 510/Bluebird. This movie series did to JDM what the Mad Max movies did to the Australian X body Ford Falcon in America--times two.
"I'm Not that much of a Drinker mind you"
*Him literally the same sentence*
"I had 13 Sake Bombs"
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
As soon as I saw the title I immediately knew it would be Craig Lieberman.
Naturally, I clicked instantly.
same dude same story
I was hoping it was Sean Morris, as he used to work at Motorex and has more insider info.
If you weren’t planning on doing it already make this guy a regular. Awesome storyteller
best to go to his channel: Craig Lieberman
His channel is great
He has his own channel that has everything you need
He doesn't meander or skitter through his stories. Uncommon these days.
I concur- good stuff.
This is the story I've been waiting for since the inception of car stories. Craig is the perfect guy to tell it. Awesome.
You should watch the story on his channel he goes into great detail on it
i was hoping it was longer
@@fatman1288 go watch the story on HIS channel. Has all the details this video left out. Surprised vinwiki cut it down this short tbh...
@@fatman1288 go to his actual channel I highly recommend it the interview with the motorex employee was good
There’s some really good detailed right ups on it’s from a few years ago
“When I sold my first GT-R, before the funds even hit my account I had a deposit on a Lamborghini Diablo.” literally ballin. what a quote lmao
Ordered a Bayside Blue R34 poster direct from Motorex back in '00 and its still hanging in my garage framed up as I can always dream about that car....
I bought a Motorex plate frame for my hooptie ‘88 Maxima.... I’m sure I still have it somewhere.
Crazy story - Somebody has to do a movie about MotoRex and the whole underground car importing world.
“You can get anything through the port in Miami” Pablo knew that too nothings changed lol
The joys of being in Canada with the 15 year rule.
Middle East gets both of best worlds.
Nissan sells the LHD A31 Cefiro sedan as Altima and Lots of American Resto Chevy Pick ups Clean factory mint.
Nissan Patrols big turbos with no one batting an eye it's illegal. Etc
Some how there was a video of a Lhd of R34 GTR export from UAE import to Canada. I'm guessing the Canadian owner had more than just deep pockets getting GTR over there.
@@markoz673bajen8 From what I know there was a company either in the UAE or Germany that did LHD conversions of the R-34. I think craig did a post on that on his youtube channel sometime ago
@@COD6953 for a decent part of a history these cars were sorta but not 100% illegal in Continental Europe, it all depended on every specific country and your connections, for example where I live you had to have it converted into a LHD and change the lamps and have it all approved which costed a pretty penny, then someone from Poland won the case on European international court which said that if is something legal in the UK it also should be legal in Continental Europe, ever since then a lot of car been brought here from the UK, not sure why am I telling here this tho
@@markoz673bajen8 Yeah except you have to be in the Middle East.
I only recently found this channel and I fell in love. I’ve been following Craig for a year or so now so to see him telling stories on this channel is a huge bonus. Please get him back!
I saw MotoRex and knew right away. "This is gonna be a Craig story."
In the same week the S2000 and R34 have been called out for what they are. I support this.
Where was the s2000 callout I used to have one they are not as great as everyone claims
@@alphatripduce Rob Ferriti's channel
@@chrisromero2088 rob ferretti is a snobby cry baby lol.
Craig is a Rabbit tier story teller. Can't get enough of this guy I hope you continue to make more videos with him!
Rabbit is USDM
Craig is JDM
Fans are EDM
Check his channel out if you have t already
Totally right, at $40-50k like FD RX7 it’s a compelling classic car. At six figure ranges 100% fanboy car
He’s right, the average person doesn’t know what mods to add and now due to buyer stupidity the average person won’t be able
To have one. So they’ll just sit forever not being driven.
I went to MotoRex to get an R32 and then a few weeks later before I could put a down payment they got busted. My dream ended to soon.....
Probably better you didn't pay that down payment haha.
WAIT! so we have the 25 year rule because of Mercedes and BMW? I would have guessed it was the US auto makers protecting their primary market. We need an RCR story for this.
Yeah, Mercedes started that whole BS because people were importing EU spec cars that were MUCH better than the US spec cars with those ugly bench seat bumpers and they wanted to stop that
absolutely disgusted, i already disliked those cars, now i hate them, remove the 25 year rule!
@@joealex65 Not only that, but a lot of the time people were importing the non-luxury versions of these cars (crank windows, no power locks, cloth seats, etc) for much less than the luxury models they sell in the US. A BMW is just a car in Germany, not exclusively a luxury car. Or it was when I lived there in the late 80s, it very well may be different now. Plenty of "normal" models without all of the extras. So you'd get the BMW or Merc badge, if that was what you wanted to flaunt, and a better looking car as you said, for a lower price even after shipping. In the military lots of guys used to buy these cars when stationed in Germany and have them shipped back home.
And Porche
@@horridbeast4089 why do u dislike Mercedes and BMW at the first place
Back in the 2000s, I had a lapse of sanity and was one email away from throwing down on a Motorex car when they very suddenly stopped correspondence. It was Years before I found out why.
Not sure how this fits into this story, but I've heard through acquaintances of some of the late 90s hostess bars in Japan that would liquor up the obnoxious Western-variety clientele and roll them coming out of the clubs, but even the Japanese thugs had enough decency to only take their money and leave their wallets otherwise intact. That was the respectful way to do a shakedown if ever I've heard one.
I know a guy who bought one just prior to the end and the feds showed up looking for it. Motorex was doing more shady stuff than what is said in this vid.
"It does not make it legal, it's still cocaine!" he says, face red with riotous fury. Well, Craig, some of us really LIKE cocaine.
And they dont call you Tony White for nothin!
Ok billy idol
Craig Lieberman is awesome. Remember meeting him on a super street cruise to the nopi nationals back in late '90s. He was with eibach at the time. Great story teller
Around 2007 I saw a blue R34 driving in Denver. Nearly lost my mind. It was like seeing a unicorn.
Thanks Craig for making me feel better about not wanting to drop 200k on an R34 now that 25 years is finally up. Sincerely, Craig
Craigs just a fountain of tuner car knowledge... legendary insight and story from him as always
Only 9 minutes on Motorex? I bet they could go an hour on the shenanigan's.
I was kinda thinking the same thing 🤔
Craigs channel has a much more lengthy video on it.
Donut Media did a podcast on it.
@@K1ng1995 Donut Media is trash. Craig had someone who had good knowledge on Motorex.
@@cesariojpn I know I've listened to craigs videos and the podcast
Illegal??? *gasp*
Btw, how was your skylines documentations, sir?
Is it all good?
Paul Walker's white R34 V-Spec II from Motorex "BNR34-401514" is in Central Florida these days. I saw it at a cars and coffee once.
NO. That is false information. The chassis number is correct but the car you describe is wrong: Paul’s white car is still with the family in Cali. There was a VspecII Nür car that MotoRex imported. Was BNR34-403075. Original owner of Paul’s white car sold it back to MotoRex so he could buy and import an identical white Nür car. Which is now in Florida. With the help of GTR registry, Craig and Sean Morris, we were able to publicize many of the MotoRex car VIN’s on VINwiki app and GTR registry
@@thenismoman4854 so where's Blackbird then? All I know is that it's with a private owner who's on East Coast USA
You know it's a good channel when you sit here hitting refresh the moment the clock hits 1000.
The girls in one of the pictures all seem to have a STARS patch from Resident Evil on their outfits.
this is the guy who made a lot of people want an R34
He goes into a story at the hostess bar about making fun of his boss but never tells the rest of the story. What was the point of even mentioning it in the story if you’re just gonna not finish. Very odd
Lonlving these fast and furious stories!
Right
lonlving
He has his own channel, he did an hour on this motorex story with an ex employee
@@NickTaylorRickPowers one of the real ones that's been watching since last year lol
Sport compact car magazine was the best magazine when it came to great practical information! Still read my stack of mags from the early 2000’s
@@baronvonslambert TRUE!
Yep- Definitely good reading material.
I miss it
Part of the R34s draw has got to be that we all want what we can’t have. Personally I’d love to own one, but wouldn’t spend the kind of money it would take unless I literally had money to burn
right now prices of R34s are going crazy cause there is a price bubble for them, so are some JDM cars, but however give it several years and that bubble will burst and JDM car prices will be going down
Basically EVERY SINGLE R34 GTR is illegal unless its a motoRex or show and display.
A buddy of mine in the DMV area actually has the last legal tagged and titled R33 from Motorex... My 95 Skyline is tagged and title as a 300ZX Twin Turbo...lol. Kool story!
Is it a white 1995 car? Because the last true legal bond released MotoRex car was a white R33 GTR.
Why yes she is...
@@det300zx Was it, originally around New York? Lol. I don’t know the car personally but I’ve seen a decent amount of pics of it from an old for sale ad.
@@thenismoman4854 Virginia... Came in at the port of Baltimore.
early 2000s,we used to have a Skyline forums here and someone from Motorex would post and chat to members about what they were doing there in the USA.I had no idea the GTRs werent allowed in the USA then.He seemed like a very nice person ....then things went quiet.Now I know why.
It’s not that they weren’t allowed period like they are now, it’s that they were federalizing them, and Hiro fucked up big time. That’s why the 25 year rule applies to any cars period. They don’t want another MotoRex to happen.
@@thatonegamer9547 false. 25 year law was put into place back in 1988. Long before motorex.
Adam LZ watching like 👁️👄👁️
Don't worry about that his fans already attacked Sean Morris
There was already a big fight about that on the internet when Sean called out Adam for having an illegal R34, i respect Adamn but it's the truth, his car is not legal, he is safe because the FBI doesn't give a f*ck about that 😂
@@joealex65 I think Adam calling TJ was a kindergarten move
@@antoniestrada1972 It was indeed, but the thing about LZ's R34 is real
If federal agency decide to break the balls of lz and other illegal r34 owners, they absolutely can. luckily he lives in florida where the law are kinda laid back. But he is pretty brave to show illegal cars like that publicly on internet, even back then after the motorex scandal blowing up, owners of motorex r34 are super secretive and flying under the radar about their car because they scared of feds will take their cars and crush them.
Finally! The story we've been waiting for from the man himself!
Many, many years ago, there was a Skyline meet that was announced on a forum I frequented and if memory served, it was in Gardenia, possibly Torrence... I forget exactly. This was after the Motorex debacle broke and the Skylines that showed up were legal Motorex cars, mostly R32’s and 33’s.
However, there was 1 R34 there.... it was painted in that ‘mystic’ paint job that Ford had used on the Mustang Cobra, the color shifting one. It was a GT-R, modified too and it sat ABANDONED next to a smog shop with a layer of dust on it. From what people were saying it was Hiro’s car that he abandoned when he fled the US. Not sure what became of it.
It was crashed by the state
ah yes..the hype tax..made us pay the unthinkable for half decent stuff, while for the same amount of money we could've gone full glory
That black stock R34 just looks gorgeous!
That’s Lowballergtr’s R34 GTR. Genuine 01’ VspecII car. Follow him on Insta if you want to see more of it. Had it repainted like factory and it looks amazing. One of the last few MotoRex cars imported
I don't know why people would pay over a hundred grand for a car the federal government could decide you shouldn't posses at any moment. Outside of the 14-16 MotoRex cars, all the others are illegal. That would make me paranoid as hell.
Damn I early!!! I remember them. They used to be in LA, off Broadway, on 135th or 137th...
So Torrence really had a big Japanese community at the time?
@@K1ng1995 not that I know of. I just remember them, cuz I was wanting to get an R-34, before they went belly up lol.
And again the legend Craig Lieberman on the legendary VinWiki channel 🙂 it's made my day a lot better! 🙂🙂🙂 Thank you Ed!
I swear he is the best talker.
I grew up in Gardena and later lived in North Torrance on Bailey Dr. There was a house nearby who always had different colored Skylines in their driveway. Black, Blue, Silver..I believe it was the parents home of a gentleman named Steve from what I remember... I was selling cars at that time at a franchise store.
Him talking about the R34 makes me miss the R32 GTR when I was in Japan back in 2003
I actually saw an R34 on the road in Jacksonville FL a few weeks ago, and it was smaller than I thought they'd be.
Good god I love these stories, next you should hunt down Hiro Nanahoshi for his side of the story... if he isn’t in jail or had an identity change 😂
I've heard he is in Osaka. He was one of the smartest guys I ever knew. Just for some insight Hiro was only 26 at the time. Got in over his head, started avoiding the shop , got drunk instead. In truth looking back he was probably dealing with depression and definitely stress and he was not listening to those around him that had his best interests.
His in the JDM Insider dvd series. Check it out!
@@aiccorp6001 that’s if he’s not dead, because he got into coke and meth heavily back when MotoRex was around.
@@thatonegamer9547 people love making up stories. At the time of his arrest he was quite chunky, despite what you've read Hiro wasn't a drug addict. I can assure you I've done more blow in my life than Hiro did. I'm from L.A. where it use to be a common party drug. Hiro had a drinking problem, he would from time to time smoke weed. MotoRex was owned by a company in Japan called AIC ...ummmm notice who replied to you? I knew Hiro very well.
@@aiccorp6001 I’ll be honest that’s the one thing I forgot to look up, I didn’t know that MotoRex was owned by AIC
Just because you can’t get plates for it does not make it legal........
Dang Craig is balling. Sold a R34 to get a Diablo
VINWIKI you have never failed me got another great one! I had no idea the legal numbers of units here in the states was so low! Absolutely that Miami port has one worried about our countries security indeed! 🤘TEXAS!!!
Dudes story about being pissed up with a pair of Hookers at a buisness meeting was incredible 😂
Can you post a link?
@@sammythewhammy69 you just watched it...
@@HE-162 🤣
Alot of business is done in Hostess clubs in Japan. It's a cultural thing and they are NOT hookers.
@@aiccorp6001 well, that's a bit like strippers here... they aren't supossed to be hookers and amny arent but...
Man I remember Motorex back in high school.
Speaking from experience; skylines are nice cars, but they're not $100k+ nice
But is an r33 gts25t worth $25k? 🤔
@@cmcz1207 no
Another great Craig Lieberman story :-) Entertaining guy!
The JDM market is alive and well here in Aus under a similar scheme although its softer now that we dont actually make cars in Australia anymore and it requires a Blue compliance plate that's applied and processed by private companies after crash testing and a fairly lengthy and expensive process and owned by them to distribute for suitably complianced cars.
On the Nissan side of Blue plates theres many Skylines, GTiR Pulsars and other grey market monsters and the work done is similar re airbags, Seatbelts, headlights etc as it is for US imports with the 25 year rule applying as well.
Registration isnt federalised unlike the DMV so each state has its own quirks for blue plate and Engineering/Mod plates so there are also states that have it easier than others to compliance cars. BIG difference is we dont have Feds raiding private homes seizing and destroying illegal to register and own vehicles, So the many Florida spec V6 Chrysler LaBarons are safe here lol
Even in Left hand drive.
I've heard so many sides of this story, I love hearing more. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I like this guy, no bs, straight to the point.
So funny because at home, Paul mostly drove his everyday, older truck around town. I rarely saw him in anything else.he was a car guy for sure but home, was about surfing, working out at the gym and outdoors and his daughter. Got best of both I guess.
I'm guessing u lived close to him? Fun guy?
@@A500-g6g he was best friend of a friend. Nicest guy you could imagine.
@@peter-radiantpipes2800 As I would expect. Thanks for reply
It's about the power the legendary RB26 engine makes when built right, just like the Eclipse GSX when built right can be a astounding 800hp -1000hp monsters on a 4 banger AWD
Every time I hear or read about this story it's always something different. I don't think I will ever know the full/true story about what happened at MotoRex.
Im simple... I see Craig...I click!!! I know people refer to ricer or riced out but damn...growing up in the 90s/2000's. I would loved a fully kited out GTR or Supra!
Last time I was this early .....
Leon was still part of Toretto's crew ! 😆
What
How Ironic since the yellow R33 GTR Leon drove in Fast 1 was a MotoRex car.
After driving an r32 I need to drive or own an r34. Dream car for other reasons. Went to Japan and got to see tons of them and fell in love with the sound. Always crave the sound now lol
I have a few of the JadaToys 1:16th scale Motorex r34 skyline diecasts.
Heck yeah Craig lieberman, I've wanted him on here for a while
Finally someone said it and the story is more main stream. Skylines really aren't that awesome, sure they look cool, but drive like absolute crap. Unless you've actually driven one, your fan boy perception has no idea how they actually are.
From what I heard, only the 89-93 r32 GTR was worth it, and because there wasn't another thing like that in east Asia at the time, after that, the r33 and r34 (and the Mitsubishi 3000gt/dodge stealth) aren't that powerful and special in comparison (although they did look cool)
@@amaizeing.dumbass5123 basically
It’s just total nostalgic, most cars nowadays would destroy an R34 but obviously for many it’s the fantasy and nostalgia that makes them so appealing.
As a 32 GTR owner I must say it drives amazing, a true GT car very comfortable, smooth, and room for 4 people
@@cal.or7 as someone who's driven a fully built 500awhp r32, I can confirm that in no way is the car comfortable. Fast? Absolutely. True GT car? For sure. Smooth? Hell no, especially without a rear lock kit for that horrible 4ws.
Craig is the only person accepted by the R34 fanboy community to trash the Skyline.
Man it's disappointing but so true about all R34s. It's something I grew up with as being that icon of JDM super cars, and yet by today's standards, my 2021 Ford Mustang EcoBoost HPP would rip it a new one. Yes you can modify them, sure you can make them crazy. If I had unlimited funds, yes of course I would go after an R34 in a collection. For now I'll just fire up the old video game and keep the memory alive.
I actually got to see Eddie's Skyline from Need For Speed Underground in Person. Game was done at EA in Vancouver
@@K1ng1995 that had to be awesome.
Love the F&F storys please keep craig on and have him tell more stories
Early gang! I remember the Apex'i R34 at the Torrance Crossroads meet back then as well. I can't remember if that was a Motorex car or not...
White APEX’i car? It is a MotoRex car. Used to belong to Toshi Hayama, now belongs to rentJdm. One of the early cars
Finally! They got Craig on the show.
Craig is a true asset to the car community
Are fucking high?
Man this was wild when it was going on. I remember being on skyline owners usa and ask the threads were juicy.
It’s basically an Evo 10
Entire internet triggered
He's not wrong tho. The GTR is a fantastic vehicle but the hype surrounding it is just ridiculous, you'd think the damn thing could raise the dead.
@@andyb1653 have you ever driven one?
@@1nvd So I have to DRIVE one to have an opinion on the hype surrounding it? Like I said the hype surrounding the car is overblown. It's a fucking sports car, not the 2nd coming of Christ.
i didnt expect him to say that . whos gonna pay that car ..
Craig Lieberman,the reason your 90s Japanese gt car is worth 90k
No I kind of blaming one those sketchy Florida importers and the people who buy illegally imported cars I call it the I can't wait text
@@antoniestrada1972 I call it the I watched three jdm compilations and the first three fast and the furious movies syndrome
People can say their own stories in the end.
In the end, politicians and bueraucrats were just elevating it to an absurd level, especially "White Power" bellowing "Buy American products if you're a patriot!"
@@divecolosio4988 you realize politicians didn’t make the law,but it was foreign car manufacturers who made and pushed for it right?
@@justawaterbottle1505 I doubt it because the people that really really want them can afford them
"It's an 'EVO X."
Whoa... Hey now.
1. The EVO X isn't the best representation of its namesake (that'd be the EVO IX).
2. If we're comparing a Nissan Skyline GT-R to a parallel Mitsu, it's definitely a 3000GT VR-4.
Hey ed I wanna thank you for sending me shirt's and sticker's for free you're the man I still wear that shirt when I watch vinwiki stories!
I remember this story about motorex it's crazy how things went down.
I tried keeping up but he just talks so fast, 276 hp like lol
2 fast way 2 further
The R34 just had about the most appealing lines of any of those cars and I have generally been fond of Nissan until relatively recently.
I bet the collector value of an R34 is greater than most cars.
And this is the exact reason why I chose to be born in Australia. GTR is life. 🥳😂
He’s not wrong... and that pisses off a lot of people in the scene.
This story has been told way more times then needed.
Want to do it differently then all the others....get Hiro and let him tell his side.
That dude has disappeared. No one knows where he is and he sure doesn't want to be found.
He is definitely Jason Bourne
Love that finally someone says what true about GTR , nothing special 👍
Where are the lil boiz selling S15's & R34's saying 'iTz lEgaL iTz hAs a tiTle'
That would be Florida Texas and Washington
Texas has so many loop holes that all you really need to do is modify one, have a master mechanic inspect it, pass a state inspection and you can register it. Hell seen one guy bring a different car in on a salvage title.
Does that mean I can get an Evo IX wagon through the port of Miami!? :D
I sold my mint Evo IX MR, pray for me.
Hiro was in JDM insider DVD Series! Highly suggested if your into Japanese street culture.
Craig's a savage lol "if you think about it it's just an evo X"
Shout from Torrance and yes, one of the largest Japanese communities in the country is here in Torrance!
That's because you guys were so close to San Pedro where they had the Japanese concentration camps after that battle for Los Angeles happened
Clicked on this faster than Eminem raps
Back in the day, around 2004 i've seen a black GTR driving on i-205 south in Portland, Oregon. That might be the black one thats in that picture. Its got oregon plates.