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Issue #16 · 12, 2026
October 2001: The V-Spec II Window & What Actually Qualifies
Weekly JDM auction picks, news, and market intel.
Published
October 12, 2026
Japanese Auto News
Yen Snapshot
¥1 JPY =
$0.0063
USD · as of Oct 12, 2026
Live rate as of Oct 12, 2026. Don't forget to factor the 27.5% import duty into your landed cost — use the calculator for your exact numbers.
Featured From the Feed
October 2001: The Last V-Spec IIs and Three Other Cars Worth Your Attention
October 2001 marked the end of R34 GT-R production — including the final V-Spec II units — making this one of the most watched eligibility windows in years. But it's not just about Skylines. The Evo VII hit dealers, the DC5 Integra Type R arrived, and a handful of other chassis rolled off the line that are now crossing the 25-year threshold. Build dates matter more than model years, so if you're chasing something from this month, verify the firewall plate before you bid.
Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR34)
The final production run of the R34 GT-R ended in late 2001, making October-built V-Spec II models newly eligible. The RB26DETT, ATTESA E-TS Pro, and Nür-spec heritage make these the most sought-after modern GT-Rs. Prices reflect it.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII (CT9A)
First of the CT9A chassis and the last Evo with a physical center differential before ACD arrived. The 4G63 produced 280 PS, and the VII introduced Active Center Differential in GT-A trim. A proper driver's Evo before things got complicated.
Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
The K20A-powered DC5 replaced the legendary DC2, gaining displacement and refinement while keeping the 8,000 rpm redline and LSD. October 2001 examples are early production, and purists still argue whether it's better than its predecessor. It's close.
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Issue Archive
Issue #16 · October 12, 2026
October 2001: The V-Spec II Window & What Actually Qualifies
R34 V-Spec II production ended October 2001. Here's what matters for build dates, plus Evo VII and the 2001 cars clearing customs now.
Issue #15 · October 5, 2026
October 2001: R34 V-Spec II, Evo VII, and the Build Dates That Actually Count
October 2001 production clears this month. V-Spec II, Evo VII, DC5 Type R—plus the tariff reality check nobody's talking about.
Issue #14 · September 28, 2026
October 2001: The Next Eligibility Wave & What's Worth the Wait
October 2001 builds now clear. Three standout JDM chassis from that year—and why each still matters in 2024.
Issue #13 · September 21, 2026
2001 JDM Cars & the Build Date That Actually Matters
Why a '2001' Skyline might not be eligible yet—and how the 25-year rule actually runs on manufacture date, not model year.
Issue #12 · September 14, 2026
September 2001: What Just Cleared & Why It Matters
Fall 2001 production crosses the line — Evo VII, Integra DC5 Type R, and the EP3 Civic that Honda got right. Plus: what the tariff exemption means.
Issue #11 · September 7, 2026
September 2001 Clears: Why This Month Matters
September 2001 cars cross the line this week. Plus: R34 auctions below forecast, freight holds steady, and auction prices settle in mid-2026.
Issue #10 · August 31, 2026
August 2001: Cars You Can Import Now
August '01 models cross the threshold this week. Tariff reform hits Japan imports. Three icons you can finally ship stateside.
Issue #9 · August 24, 2026
Auction Volume: When Supply Tightens and What That Means
USS is steady. Chaser Tourers are hitting 2.2M. Plus: how the 25-year tariff carveout is rewiring pricing on both sides of eligibility.
Issue #8 · August 17, 2026
August 2001: The Low-Mileage Problem & What It Tells You
August 2001 cars are here. A zero-km S15 hit the feed. Here's why that's a flag, not a feature — and what auction spread tells you this week.
Issue #7 · August 10, 2026
August 2001: When JDM Went to College
August 2001 models cross the line this week — DC5, RX-7 Spirit R, and a slate of everyday legends that never saw the States.
Issue #6 · August 3, 2026
2001's Big Three: Evo VII, DC5, and the Spec C Era
Late '01 brought the Evo VII, the DC5 Integra Type R's high-revving K20A, and the first GDB STI. Here's what's crossing now—and what you're paying.
Issue #5 · July 27, 2026
July Crossed the 25 Year Threshold — and the Tariff Line
2001 reaches the midpoint: newly legal chassis, a tariff regime that expired this week, and what you're seeing at auction now.
Issue #4 · July 20, 2026
2001 Arrives: Evo VII, S15 Late Production & What You're Actually Paying
Late-2001 models hit eligibility this month. Plus: what tariff treatment really looks like for 25+ year imports, and 8 auction picks worth your attention.
Issue #3 · April 17, 2026
S15 Values, Purple Chasers & the Tariff One-Year Mark
S15 Silvia landed under $21K, factory purple JZX100, and one year of the 27.5% tariff — here's what actually happened to the market.
Issue #2 · April 2, 2026
The S15 Era Begins
Supra MkIV under $30K landed, NSX in blue, and the S15 Silvia just crossed the 25-year threshold. Plus: how to read a Japanese auction sheet.
Issue #1 · March 25, 2026
The 25 Year Rule
NSX NA1, JZX100 Chaser, and the Class of 2001 is officially open for imports. Plus: how to find a reputable auction agent.