Top picks for US imports in 2023 and 2024

Storage containers holding some of the best American import cars

The 25-year import rule is a catalyst for the automotive investment market and so when each new year rolls around, a new group of collectable sports, classic and supercars become the new targets for American imports. Here we'll explore a few of those for this year as well as those coming up for 2024.

2023

Nissan Skyline R34

For the JDM aficionados among us, the R34 moniker is one placed on the most prestigious of pedestals and for the purposes of an American import list, the relevance is twofold. For 2023, the standard R34 Skyline ticks over into the legal U.S import category meaning the legendary bloodline is accessible at a much-reduced price point. Meanwhile, the full-fat Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec, like the one residing in The PaddlUp Rooms becomes eligible for US import in 2024.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V

The iconic Evo V officially took to public roads for the first time in 1998, and as a result, is now ready to be imported to America. Enjoying the implementation of several refined components over its predecessor, the IV, the V boasted superior handling and grip owing to improved chassis and suspension. Although the official power output of 276hp remained the same as the previous generation, the turbocharged 2-litre received a few upgrades of its own along with more boost pressure.

Mercedes CLK GTR

With just 25 of these 6.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 behemoths ever produced, you may have your work cut out when trying to find and buy one, but if the luck is with you and you get your hands on one of the 1998 cars then now is the time for importing to the US. All of the CLK GTR’s 622 horses were delivered directly to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission, propelling it from 0-62mph in a smidge under the four-second mark. Although this model has previously qualified under the ‘show and display rules’, now American-based CLKs have been unleashed, removing the limiter from its annual mileage.

Subaru Impreza 22B

Rival to the aforementioned Evo V, the 22B commemorated both Subaru’s 40th anniversary and its third outright World Rally Championship victory on the bounce. Just 400 were produced in Japan selling out in seconds, meanwhile, 24 made it to countries further afield. Ever since the 22B’s reputation has skyrocketed and with it, values have reached eye-watering figures. One particular example sold as recently as 2021 for a whopping £171,500. Prodrive’s latest tribute project to the 22B has only bolstered the model’s ever-growing popularity.

View the full listing for our 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX-STI Type UK PPP.

2024

For those that are thinking of getting ahead of the curve, cars that were produced in 1999 will be ready to import from 2024 and there are some fantastic options to choose from for the would-be supercar investor.

Ferrari 360 Modena

This stunning rear-wheel drive sports car was the cornerstone of the Ferrari offering in the early two-thousands and has since become a modern classic. A screeching 3.6-litre V8 will take you from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, an improvement of 0.2 over its predecessor – the F355 which we currently have an example of at PaddlUp. The 360 set the benchmark for a new age of Italian supercar styling and laid the foundations for the F430 which followed.

Pagani Zonda C12

The seminal Pagani – the Zonda C12 – set a precedent that all subsequent models from the then-fledgling manufacturer would follow to the letter; ostentatious styling and performance figures to match (with a huge V12 borrowed from AMG contributing considerably to the latter). With just five in circulation and one used for crash testing and homologation and another as a demonstrator car, it doesn’t take a mathematician to work out it’s unlikely that a C12 will be imported to the US any time soon.

Porsche 996 GT3

The genesis of the GT3 took the world by storm in 1999. Later dubbed the 996.1 GT3, the first of this now-legendary lineage was created for homologation purposes in the FIA GT3 cup. As you’d expect with such a project, all of the niceties Porsche’s usual clientele had come to expect were removed such as a sunroof, rear seats and air conditioning – although this became an optional extra – all in the name of weight saving.