Importing Engines/Parts/Kitsch from Japan.

[bloodontheapex]

I figured I'd post up some stupid questions and let the wolves at them.

 

So is the JDM thing still all the rage with the kids?

 

Is there money in importing these sorts of thing?

 

Anyone have any experience/advice to share?

 

I have a cousin who lives in Tokyo, and have been contemplating this lately.

[Tristin]

Lol yes... everyone loves JDM parts. I mean, youre driving a Japanese car; its cool to have all the trim and such that wasnt available here. 

 

There can be money in it, but it depends on whats being purchased and how youre shipping. Shipping can get real spendy from overseas. 

 

I buy a lot of items overseas and it really pays to have someone local who likes finding what youre looking for. If youre cousin is over there, but couldnt care less about cars, hes not going to put in the effort to find you those nice exclusive parts youre looking for. Even more so on a 40+ year old car, the parts arent going to be just falling from the trees. If they arent having having fun looking for the parts, they may skip over a bunch of opportunities where parts could be hidden. That or to make up for it, theyre just going to charge more for their time. Also someone into specifics... I have a friend stationed in Japan right now who likes cars, but knows nothing about Datsuns. Just short of telling him to buy everything in an old Nissan box, its hard for him to know whats good and whats not. 

[Interrobang]

Two words: Fender. Mirrors.

 

 

 

....also one more word: Tsurikawa.

[bloodontheapex]

I really just found out he existed not too long ago, and wanted to get to know him (I mean, long lost cousin in Japan? It's like a soap opera).  Being poor as shit as I am, I'm always trying to think of a way to be less poor, though.

 

My grandmother is from Tokyo, but ties were pretty much severed after she married my grandfather and moved to America (That and most everyone died in the fire bombings).  Turns out there's one grandson over there, a bit older than I am.  My uncle tracked him down when he was in Japan, grandma has always refused to speak to her Japanese family.

 

I sure would have fun looking for the parts. haha.  I assume you meant that the parts aren't just falling from the trees?  What is the second hand parts market like in Japan?  Do they have junkyards? haha.  Maybe stupid questions, but Jesus, I've lived in North Carolina all my life.

[merlin]

yes there are wrecking yards, but they'll be out of big centers in the Burbs... land is too expensive to have them in a big downtown like Tokyo.   There are used parts stores ... like Up Garage. There are some Datsun Specialists like ReFresh60. Yahoo auctions Japan is their Ebay... I didn't see any swap meets when i was there.  Most Vintage dealers and restorers seem to have stashes of parts... I went to Flex Auto in Yokohama  that sells old cars and they had some stock of old nissan/Datsun stuff,  but no one spoke engrish... When i go back for Nismofest. i'm going to do much more advanced planning and scout out some of thevintage parts shops I've found.

[Pleadingbark]

potato

[king bee66]

besides motors, b210, b310, and a10 guys would probably be pretty happy if your friend could round up a crate of bumpers

[RAlly_DatoB210]

I second the bumpers. Don't own one anymore but when I did they would have been A high priority buy for me. I'd take one of those plastic flower shift knob things bonus if it come threaded for a Volkswagen van lol

[72240z]

Brand new cuz and 1st thing is how to make a buck of him lol sweeeet. 

If you want to make real money set up yahoo auction accounts and broker for people buying and selling. You stock nothing, your out of hand nothing. Bugging your cuz for a set of mirrors or emblems is kid shit. Unless they are for you or your friends, then its just a nice hook up :-).

[bloodontheapex]

Brand new cuz and 1st thing is how to make a buck of him lol sweeeet. 

 

If you want to make real money set up yahoo auction accounts and broker for people buying and selling. You stock nothing, your out of hand nothing. Bugging your cuz for a set of mirrors or emblems is kid shit. Unless they are for you or your friends, then its just a nice hook up :-).

 

Whatever, man.  "When you ain't got no money, you got the blues...cause you're thinking evil."

 

Tell me more of this middle-manning.