Getting a ZR-1 to Japan

[zig]

HAWAIIZR-1 - I am retired Navy and contemplating a civilian job in Yokosuka. I was stationed there in the late 90's so know about the vehicle taxes and registration hurdles ever year but never looked into getting a car there. I should probably be worried about schools and housing but need to know how you got your ZR-1 over there. Were there any modifications required? I have a completely stock 91 ZR-1 with 21K miles and don't want to have to modify anything I can't put back to original when I return. I also have a 91 Z28 and 96 Corvette Collector Edition Conv but if I have read correctly, there is a two car maximum per family so they will need to stay in storage. Any information you can provide on how you got it there and what needed to be modified would be much appreciated.

[Z06scentair]

HAWAIIZR-1 - I am retired Navy and contemplating a civilian job in Yokosuka. I was stationed there in the late 90's so know about the vehicle taxes and registration hurdles ever year but never looked into getting a car there. I should probably be worried about schools and housing but need to know how you got your ZR-1 over there. Were there any modifications required? I have a completely stock 91 ZR-1 with 21K miles and don't want to have to modify anything I can't put back to original when I return. I also have a 91 Z28 and 96 Corvette Collector Edition Conv but if I have read correctly, there is a two car maximum per family so they will need to stay in storage. Any information you can provide on how you got it there and what needed to be modified would be much appreciated.

I travel to Tokyo frequent, let me make some calls tomorrow night to see what is required.

Housing with parking will most likely be the largest hurdle.

[zig]

First, thanks you both for answering. What an ordeal. You are correct. Navy Gov Civilian if I go and would either get housing on base or rent one out in town. Either way, I would have a parking spot for it. I am familiar with the Japanese "system." Met my wife over there and it was just a bunch of red tape to get all her paperwork and visa squared away. I had heard $3000 to get a US car through the process. Not sure I want to puke the $5000 you mention though. We also had a car over there. Even an older Japanese car is a pain in the butt to get inspected and JCI every year. The side marker lights are a deal breaker though. No way I can mount them to the car. And if I take it, no way I could not drive it regularly. I already travel and the second thing I do after kissing the wife is take the Z out.

Thanks again for the information. Good luck on whatever you are studying for.

[phrogs]

I thought JCI was good for two years??

Did it change?

I took a corvette through JCI pm me and I'll post my nightmare they were a huge pain in my butt. And my car had been imported by Japanese man when new. So all I had to do was the safety inspection and smog. Still had to modify my car to make it through inspection the. Remove those items after inspection. Of course I was in okiniawa and its a damn craps game taking any car through JCI its a huge scam as far as I'm concerned! But you can get cheap cars all the time on base. I wouldn't take my ZR-1 over if I went back. I'd find something in country already.