Hey everyone Im new to this forum and have been a datsun 1200 ute lover for years... Im from El salvador (central america) and Have moved to alabama ( united states) and I noticed that there isnt many north americans on this site, anyways, i really want to get one of these trucks up here, does anybody know if I can??? In El salvador we have left hand drives so i dont think registration whould be to hard, any suggestions? i want to send it over sea's but I dont know a company that can do that, if not Im willing to do the drive i wanna be unique!

Well welcome to the club, and I am sure that there will be some Americans that can help you out with the requirements to be a ute into the states.

There are a couple of 1200 Utes already in the US.
They also came from El Salvador or Costa Rica.

Many American Datsun 1200 owners like the idea of having a Ute, but it is a not easy to import.

Somebody from the US will surely reply.

Thanks for the replies!

Welcome to the club. In the USA, we can register LHD or RHD -- at least in most states. I've never heard of anyone have a problem with RHD.

Anyways, the deal is you can import *any* car into the USA if it is 25 years old or older. Newer cars are difficult to import, but not older cars.

You only need a few paperwork and a steam cleaning. Check with US Customs they will tell you exactly what is needed:
1. Fill out EPA (emissions) exemption form
2. Fill out DOT (crash test) exemption form
3. Get letter from manufacturer stating date of manufacturer (to prove it is more than 25 years old)
4. Title
5. Receipt for steam cleaning underside of car

Take all this to the shippers and they will deliver it.

I don't know the exact details, not having done it myself. There may be a small (2%) import tax as well.

WOw thanks for the info, so I guess I have to get one of the older models of the ute. WHich year did they start making them?? So I guess bringing in a 90's model would be a no no? And do you know of a company where I can ship it? I really dont want to make the drive,unless if i had too.

1983 models are no-nos to bring into USA. 1982s are fine.

They started making the Datsun 1200 'pick-up' in 1971 and was still making them when I spoke with Nissan South Africa in October three months ago. Ecuador had a factory from the '80s into mid '90s.

Most likely you'll want to get a shipper in El Salvador. Any ocean shipping company should be able to take care of it for you.