Hello all,

May be a a long shot to find info here, but I've been communicating with shippers on modifications that'll need to be done to my '87 US specs Series III for import to Japan. I recently changed my plans to move to China to Japan instead, as they're actually amicable towards importing a classic. I've been told I'll need to change the headlamps and taillights/blinkers, but I've yet to find hard information on exactly how they must be changed, both for my car in particular or cars in general. The Jag parts suppliers are also not of much help. I'll continue trying to get into contact with some Japanese classic car clubs and talking it over with customs brokers and the JAF. In the meantime, to all with knowledge on the matter, I would appreciate some advice and information.

PS. If anyone has recommendations for an importer, let me know! It's easy to find importers to bring cars here from Japan, but I haven't found any to import one from here to Japan.

 

I'm amazed to learn Japan is amenable towards classic vehicle import. The reason other RHD markets import recent Jaguars in excellent condition from Japan is because the test regulations are so stringent and costly makes it the easier and lower cost option for Japanese owners to buy a new vehicle.

I've driven over 250,000 miles in mainland Europe in RHD vehicles on LHD roads and am comfortable with the additional care and compromises required. Be absolutely certain you are determined to drive on the "wrong" side of the road before committing to the undoubtedly large investment necessary to get your vehicle on Japanese roads.

The two issues buyers importing Japanese market Jaguars into Australia and the UK are radio frequency and navigation are incompatible. Emissions and lighting standards are compatible. This means a US specification vehicle will be different specification on ALL of these. I think you need to be looking at European Market lighting specification as a guide to compliance for Japan. Members who have imported a US Specification vehicle to Europe will know the necessary changes.

I'm always interested to follow import/export threads. I recall some who have decided it wasn't worth the total cost of shipping and modification but those who persevered have succeeded.

Good luck.

Graham

 

Well, perhaps amenable isn't quite the right word. Less-totally-obstinate is more like it. China was taken off the table for two reasons: I want to find somewhere where citizenship is eventually an option, and their answer to the whole classic car question is a flat out no. Cars of all ages are treated exactly the same there, and thus, even if the car got into the country somehow, it would never be able to be registered. It's a real shame that only some countries, all of them Western, have regulators that "get" classic cars. The more I do research and converse with consulting firms the more I realize that, for all my grievances with this country, the US is still by and far the least strict on so many legal fronts.

As for Japan, I got word that their emissions laws are somewhat sensible, moreso than California from what I can tell. There, the emissions tests are, as they should be, tailored to the age of the car. Cars older than the mid '70's are exempt from emissions. As for headlights, my guess is the changes have to do with beam directions for LHD and RHD. As for taillights, I think the US and Japan may have similar regulations. In doing parts searching for RR spares, I have found the RR service manuals and parts suppliers often group cars from the US, Japan, and Switzerland together for many parts; so, there may be more overlaps than one may expect. I have also gotten word, in very broken English, that my XJ6 may be exempt from more stringent testing since it has an FMVSS sticker. Perhaps Japan honors US crash regulations?

It's been a tricky situation finding information, given the whole language barrier and increasingly apparent fact that what I'm trying to do is not common. My business partner, who is also my best friend and who will be moving with me, and I have yet to start seriously learning any language until we have determined that we can actually move to a country, get citizenship many years down the line, and bring this XJ6. The last point may be a bit eccentric I know, but after dailying classics for the past two years, I can't go back. I've sent out a plethora of emails to as many customs brokers as I could find. I've yet to get a positive response, but at least one or two have provided a few bits of useful information. My next step is to try searching, through a very liberal use of Google Translate, in Japanese for classic importers. I suspect I may find more luck there than contacting shipping companies and import/export businesses. I'll also call the Japanese Automobile Federation, a sort of Japanese AAA for visitors.

 

Combing the parts catalog can reveal any unique Japanese-market parts used in production....although this info doesn't necessarily speak to what would be needed to import the car today.

For example, tail light lenses appear to be the same for all markets except USA and Canada


Meanwhile, the headlight listings (a bit confusing) show a few Japan-specific listings



Additional exhaust heatshields were used on Japan-market cars, as well as an exhaust temperature warning system


Cheers
DD

 

Interesting. Seeing as Jag sold some cars over there, I may get lucky and find a classic Jag specialist over there with some more liberal use of Google Translate.

As for headlamps, I don't think they need to be a different spec, just adjusted for angle. As I've never needed to do such adjustments, I must ask if it is possible to adjust the beam direction on a Series III. I assume it is, as that seems like something one could do on all cars. I hear that this is something checked for in some countries during inspections. I can assure you it isn't here, judging from how blinded I am on the motorway.

I don't think I'll need all the extra JDM parts. Just a few to meet general regulations. Jag didn't fit catalytic converters to the Series III did they? If they did, I was advised to fit a new one before the importation.

 

European vehicle manufacturers have to make compromises with lighting design to comply with US regulations. I do know with later models members importing from US to Europe have hit issues with the US specification headlamps not having the required E11 standard mark. Japanese specification vehicles imported to the UK don't appear to have any lighting issues - it's never been mentioned on the forums. Depends on how pedantic the inspectors choose to be.

Graham

 

At least some Japan-market Series IIIs had a cat converter


Having correct headlights would be a good idea even if you can slip by the regulations without them. LHD vs RHD headlight throw the beam in opposite directions, as I'm sure you realize.

Cheers
DD

 

Update: Good news

After doing some digging, I managed to find some classic car dealers in Japan. So far, I've gotten word from one of them that they can handle all the aspects of shipping, import, and customs. I have found a number of other dealers who not only import cars but also modify them to ensure they meet inspection standards. This gives me some needed peace of mind, but I'd be really at ease if I could get some replies from them. I've sent out just about all the emails I can; the only thing left to do is to wake up at one in the morning to call the dealers I haven't heard back from or couldn't find an email for. The other good news is that, even if I can't get my cars into the country, there are plenty of American and European classics already in the country to purchase, although at extremely high markups.

As for getting my cars inspected and on the road, I've found some more info. This time, it was from our good old friend Wikipedia, the source of the most accurate information on the internet, as I'm sure you all know. Here's a link for those interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor-...pection_(Japan) . I just wish this would have shown up in my search engine searches; it would have saved a lot of worry. It would seem that I'm in the clear for the most part, but I do worry about the emissions inspection. The sourceless information claims that older vehicles must have less than 4.5% carbon monoxide and 1200ppm of unburned hydrocarbons at the tailpipe. As I don't have an exhaust gas analyzer, I don't know if my Jag meets those requirements. However, considering I've seen a 1979 Lincoln Continental for sale, which would have had to pass emissions inspections as it is older than 1975, I guess my Jag will do just fine. Other than that, I just need to get some more info on small things like light lenses. It won't be the end of the world to me if my radio is incompatible, as I just use a cassette to aux adapter most of the time anyway.

This may mean that my planned grand tour from London to the Orient won't be on the cards, as the car may need to be in tip-top shape and professionally sanitized just before getting on the boat if it is to have the highest chances of passing customs and inspection. Further, I may need to get a Japanese license before the car arrives, rather than temporarily importing it with an IDP and CDP while acquiring said license. I'd really like to do this tour before arriving there though, as one must stay in the country for 200 days out of the year for a varying number of years to qualify for permanent residence, and 290 days out of the year after getting said residence to qualify for citizenship. Said citizenship is, of course, necessary for permanent relocation. And, the current planned tour will take many months going one direction. It wouldn't be feasible double the length for a round trip and accomplish it all in only 165 days. Besides, that whole journey would be such a nice way of, well, journeying to our new home in a far off and novel land. A flight or boat ride straight there would just feel a little too unceremonious. At least touring around Asia on shorter journeys is still on the table once the car is imported.

I'll keep you all apprised of any more developments.

 

A tangential and very interesting update:

I have learned that while most classics are barred from being imported into China, vehicles a full one hundred years old or older are expected from the used car import restrictions. This is a rolling one hundred years as well, meaning the Model A, an arguably usable and decently affordable daily driver, will soon be eligible. I mean, a RR Silver Ghost or Packard would be eligible right now, if one has a spare half million lying around to buy one. Who knows, if China can understand the concept of rolling regulation cutoff ages, maybe that other communist country that starts with a C, the one between Mexico and Oregon, will eventually get the concept. Jokes aside, it does make me wonder what cars are currently eligible that one could reasonably daily without concerns about keeping up with traffic. Considering I already semi-daily a '72 Fiat 500, I don't mind things a bit slow, though I'm pretty sure most basic cars from the '20's and '30's could keep up with my little clown car or even blow its doors off. I should note that I've not found any confirmations if these cars could actually be registered once imported. It's entirely possible they can't. But, hey, getting them in the country is already a huge improvement over just not being allowed in at all.

 

Side note:

The exemption of cars older than 1975 from emissions tests has made me think once again about my idea of swapping a fuel injected 4.2 into a Series I, or adding injection to a Series I carbed 4.2. The Series I is my favorite of the XJ6 line visually, but the carbed versions of the XK engine are just too thirsty for the touring plans I have. I usually try to keep my cars as stock as possible; so I'd like to keep any modifications at least all Jaguar. However, if I'm already going to be doing a big mod like this, I'd feel justified in making some other tweaks to boost power and torque. And, I'd be free to do so without worry about emissions requirements. I wouldn't want to do anything crazy, just a little boost. I'll look around the forums to see if anyone has done something similar. I take it the underpinnings of the cars didn't really change that much over the different Series; so, I don't think I'd be losing any comfort or handling by going from III to I. Just an idea for now.

Tangential note: anyone ever thought about supercharging an XK?

 

Update:

Success. I have found an importer who will take care of the whole process, from importation to road-worthiness/legality. They're a classic car dealer in Japan. Once the car has undergone all the modifications necessary to make it road legal, I will inform you all on the changes made. It seems like my grand tour may still be viable too; I was worried there would be trouble trying to import the car if it was shipped from China or South Korea. My concern now is how much work the car would need after 15k+ miles of touring to pass inspection, but I suspect not a great deal.

The emissions inspection I am told can cost between $2k and $4k. Still thinking about which cars to take in addition to the Jag. I'm considering scooping up a '56-'57 Continental MK II. They're surprisingly not that expensive, relatively speaking. Especially in comparison to a coachbuilt Bentley of the same period.

 

The Rolls of the same era had similar issues in Far East markets with temperatures of the catalytic converters in particular. It would seem people parking their cars on grass was not uncommon, and the cats on the RRs could get so hot that they'd set the grass on fire. I suspect these heatshields and the temp warning system on the Jag is there for similar reasons. Good to keep in mind I guess, in case I park on an unpaved surface.

As for the headlight differences, all I can see that's different between this and the other diagrams for the headlights is one gasket behind the lights that's marked with a "J" at the end of the part number, which I take to signify Japan.