Sounds an easy question, but i'll explain..

 

My car (well, my breaker) is a uk car. Uk spec, bumpers, seat belts not on the doors, washer jets etc..

 

Found the logbook in the boot, and it says first registered overseas.

 

Whats that all about?

Could have been bought by BFPO in Germany or perhaps anyone in Europe and then brought back here. Generally we assume an import is a Japanese model, but in fact that is really a grey import.

Thought early cars had seat belts on the doors and later cars had the seat belts on the B post no matter where it came from, Your car could be an import and someones put uk spec parts on it ?

Could have been bought by BFPO in Germany or perhaps anyone in Europe and then brought back here. Generally we assume an import is a Japanese model, but in fact that is really a grey import.

 

Just like Andy says.....

 

.....anyone could have bought it here and shipped it out of the country before it was registered! PhilP has a ZX previously owned by the Sultan of Brunei - that is a UK spec (although it may have been registered here originally) which was shipped over to Brunei and spent its life there until sold; when it was brought back and re-registered in the UK.

 

Other small touches to confirm its origin might include the UK clocks (although many imports have them retro-fitted now) and the washer button on the head light switch.

 

Also UK & Euro spec cars have the full 17 digit chassis number; J-spec cars VIN numbers are much shorter!

 

Richard:cool2:

Is there any Japanese writing on the VIN plate on the under the bonnet ? Or on any of the other plates ?

Thought early cars had seat belts on the doors and later cars had the seat belts on the B post no matter where it came from, Your car could be an import and someones put uk spec parts on it ?

 

All UK cars have the belts on the B-pillars.

 

Jap imports had them on the doors until aug 92

Presume were not talking about the silver Z in your rides ? as it has Jap spec front and rear bumpers.

 

If the car has all the UK parts you mention that its more than likely a UK car thats been registered overseas for somebody in the Military...etc

 

Checking the VIN number length, as Richard says would be the easiest check.

Edited April 15, 201114 yr by Yowser

Its the red one i bought from Niko. Its a 1991. Says 1990 on the seat belt tag. But been in the uk since jan 1992.

Its the red one i bought from Niko. Its a 1991. Says 1990 on the seat belt tag. But been in the uk since jan 1992.

 

That is nothing to worry about - the date on the seat belt tag is the date of manufacture; not registration.

 

Plenty of UK spec cars sat around dealerships for months before they were bought and/or registered. So it's not uncommon for a UK car to be registered a year or so after it was made!

 

Richard:cool3:

It could also have been an Irish registered car first, I'm almost sure way back in the day they were classed as "overseas" although a genuine Irish dealer sold or N.I dealers sold ZX is the same as a UK car.

to tell a UK spec from a JAP spec is easy

 

To tell if its jap

- just look for all the jap labels all over the place, chances are, if you cant read them then its jap spec

- check the passenger foot well for the flair holders or even flair

- does it have folding mirrors as the jap ones have these

- Does it have the seat belts on the doors?

- does it have lap belts in the rear

 

for UK spec (helps if its stock for some of these)

 

- Does it have the head light washers

- Does it have the seat belts on the pillar and not on the door

- Does it have the 3 point seat belts in the rear

- Wing mirrors do not fold from inside the car

 

US spec

 

- Can you open the doors with the seat belt still in place

- Is the steering wheel on the left hand side of the car and the hand break on the right

- is the standard suspension fooked due to having to lug such a heavy weight driver about

- is there a body in the boot.

to tell a UK spec from a JAP spec is easy

 

To tell if its jap

- just look for all the jap labels all over the place, chances are, if you cant read them then its jap spec

- check the passenger foot well for the flair holders or even flair

- does it have folding mirrors as the jap ones have these

- Does it have the seat belts on the doors?

- does it have lap belts in the rear

 

for UK spec (helps if its stock for some of these)

 

- Does it have the head light washers

- Does it have the seat belts on the pillar and not on the door

- Does it have the 3 point seat belts in the rear

- Wing mirrors do not fold from inside the car

 

US spec

 

- Can you open the doors with the seat belt still in place

- Is the steering wheel on the left hand side of the car and the hand break on the right

- is the standard suspension fooked due to having to lug such a heavy weight driver about

- is there a body in the boot.

:lol::lol::lol:

Edited April 16, 201114 yr by vodkashots
fixing quote

i look for the added fog light for fresh imports or ppl that cant be arsed

Its 100% a UK spec car (or was!), just wondering why it says it was first registered overseas.