how to tell if a car is a REAL silvia

[rancid240]

Supposedly, there are rumors going around that there is a real Silvia for sale in OC.  I am in touch with the guy and I got first dibs to see it.  Its an S13 that was owned by a Japanese dude who had to return to Japan for reasons unknown. Basically it got repo'd, I am trying to find out if it was titled in the states or not, and I am going down to look at the car this week.  But, I want to know how I can make sure if it is truely from Japan, beside the RHD and SR.  What the easiest way to make sure it is a true s13 and not just a conversion?

[ca18guy]

Run the VIN# ?

[SimpleS14]

Open up the hood, and look towards the firewall. There should be a plate with the engine and model code. Most likely it should say 'SR2ODET' and whatever model code it is.

I also believe there is something else along with suspension or something underneath the car. But I'm not to informative on the S-13.

Oh yea you can run the VIN from that plate.

[planb]

Japanese cars dont have VIN's.  That ID plate on the firewall could have easily been added on.  If its RHD, its most likely the real deal.  If you think it might have been swapped to RHD, look for welds on the firewall.  If it is a JDM silvia, I doubt its street legal.

[wpayne]

Hi, if you raise the hood and look at the bar, not sure exactly what it is called but the main reinforcement bar that runs infront, I think it is right above the hood latch mechanism, but it should have a sort of serial number engraved in it and it is somewhat large, like font 20 if compared to computer print, it's like a VIN# in Japan. If the car got in an accident and it's salvaged car, the number would be scraped out.

Hope this helps

[misnomer]

For the record, all s-chassis cars are from Japan <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Essentially, if it's right hand drive, should be a Silvia.

'course, I see no reason to go out of my way for a right hand drive car. . .

[CoasTek240]

if hes gone through the trouble of making the car rhd.. then it's worth buying b/c that's weet.. but i wouldn't buy it personally.. seems to hard to drive. also check out the guage instumentation and climate control