America has always had a deep love affair with cars, but that did not mean every great machine from Europe or Japan was allowed on its roads. Strict emissions laws, crash safety regulations, and later the 25 year import rule meant that many of the most exciting cars of their eras were forbidden fruit. Enthusiasts could read about them in magazines, see them in films, or race them in video games, but they could not buy them new and legally drive them on American streets. These are fifteen of the most famous cars that were off limits when they were new.
Porsche 959
The Porsche 959 was perhaps the most famous example of a car the United States said no to. Built in the late 1980s, it was a technological masterpiece with twin turbo power, an advanced all wheel drive system, and a body that pushed aerodynamics forward. It was never certified for American crash or emissions standards, leaving fans frustrated. Bill Gates and a few other collectors famously fought to bring them in, which eventually helped lead to the Show and Display exemption that now allows rare cars like the 959 to be imported in very limited numbers.
Nissan Skyline GT R R34
The R34 Skyline GT R, produced from 1999 to 2002, became a legend for its RB26 twin turbo straight six engine and high tech all wheel drive system. It was one of the most capable performance cars of its era, and it rose to global fame through video games and movies. Unfortunately, it did not meet U.S. emissions and crash safety requirements. The car was specifically banned, meaning enthusiasts had to wait until it turned twenty five years old before they could bring one across the border legally.
Toyota Supra Twin Turbo R
While Americans had access to the later fourth generation Supra, the earlier Japanese market models such as the 2.5 Twin Turbo R were completely off limits. These cars featured engines and trims not available in the U.S., along with a focus on lightweight performance. Built in the late 1980s and early 1990s, they became cult classics in Japan but remained unattainable for U.S. fans until the twenty five year rule made them eligible for import.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Early Generations
Before Mitsubishi officially sold the Lancer Evolution VIII in the U.S. in 2003, the first six generations were kept at home in Japan. These cars were bred from rally racing, offering turbocharged engines and advanced all wheel drive systems that gave them incredible traction and agility. Americans had to make do with stories and magazine tests while the rest of the world enjoyed them. By the time the Evo was finally sold here, enthusiasts had already been dreaming about it for years.
Honda Civic Type R EK9
The very first Civic Type R, built in 1997, was a lightweight, high revving marvel. With a hand built VTEC engine and a chassis tuned for track use, it was one of the sharpest hot hatches of the 1990s. U.S. regulations and Honda’s cautious approach kept it away from American buyers. It would not be until two decades later that the Civic Type R finally arrived in U.S. showrooms, leaving the EK9 as forbidden fruit.
Audi RS2 Avant
In the mid 1990s, Audi collaborated with Porsche to create the RS2 Avant, a turbocharged five cylinder wagon with blistering acceleration and serious handling. It was a cult classic in Europe, but the U.S. never saw it officially. At the time, wagons were falling out of favor in America, and the RS2 was never certified to meet U.S. standards. For years it remained a forbidden machine for those who loved fast wagons.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Ford built the Escort RS Cosworth in the 1990s to satisfy rally homologation rules. It had a turbocharged engine, all wheel drive, and a giant rear wing that became an icon of the era. Despite wearing a Ford badge, it was built in Europe and never offered in the U.S. Emissions and safety hurdles kept it out, frustrating American enthusiasts who wanted a true rally bred Ford.
BMW M3 Sport Evolution E30
While America did receive a version of the E30 M3, the most hardcore Sport Evolution model was never sold here. Built in limited numbers with a larger 2.5 liter engine and tuned for racing, it was designed to dominate touring car championships rather than satisfy regulators. Collectors prize these cars today, but they only became available in the U.S. once the twenty five year exemption kicked in.
Renault 5 Turbo
The Renault 5 Turbo was one of the craziest small cars ever built. It looked like a simple hatchback but hid a mid mounted turbocharged engine and rear wheel drive layout designed for rally competition. It was a French sensation in the early 1980s, but U.S. safety standards prevented it from being sold here. Its radical design and limited numbers have made it a highly desirable forbidden fruit for collectors.
Peugeot 205 GTI
The Peugeot 205 GTI is often called the greatest hot hatch of all time. Light, nimble, and fun to drive, it became a legend in Europe throughout the 1980s. But Peugeot pulled out of the American market and the 205 never made it across the Atlantic. Today enthusiasts look back at it as one of the great small cars that Americans missed out on.
Lancia Delta Integrale
The Lancia Delta Integrale was a rally car for the road, dominating world rally competition from the late 1980s into the 1990s. With its boxy styling, turbocharged engines, and sophisticated all wheel drive, it was one of the greatest performance cars of its time. Sadly, it was never approved for U.S. sale, and its absence only added to its mystique among enthusiasts.
TVR Tuscan Speed Six
TVR was a British company famous for building outrageous sports cars with big engines and no electronic aids. The Tuscan Speed Six was one of its wildest creations, with styling that turned heads and performance that scared even experienced drivers. But TVR refused to include airbags or other mandated safety features, which meant the Tuscan could never be sold legally in the U.S.
Morgan Aero 8
The Morgan Aero 8 was a blend of old school craftsmanship and modern performance. Its retro looks were combined with a lightweight chassis and BMW power under the hood. But U.S. airbag laws and crash standards kept it out of the American market. While Morgan sold some cars under small manufacturer exemptions, the Aero 8 was not widely available to U.S. buyers.
Lotus Carlton
The Lotus Carlton was a British tuned sedan that shocked the world in the early 1990s. Based on the Vauxhall Carlton, it used a twin turbo six cylinder engine that made it faster than many supercars of the day. British authorities even tried to ban it because it was too quick for a sedan. In the U.S. it never had a chance, as it was not certified for emissions or crash safety.
Alfa Romeo SZ
Nicknamed Il Mostro or The Monster, the Alfa Romeo SZ was one of the boldest and most polarizing designs of the early 1990s. With a limited production run and no attempt to certify it for U.S. standards, the car was never sold here. Its sharp lines and rarity made it a legend overseas, while Americans could only admire it from afar until the import restrictions lifted.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
