The year 2019 takes the excitement up a notch for auto enthusiasts with a love for vintage cars now that the U.S. opened its doors to some of the world’s most coveted brands. Up until now, the U.S.’s quite unusual set of rules and regulations pertaining to the import of foreign vehicles not manufactured using U.S. standards. The 25-year law, also called the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988, makes cars built before 1994 (or 20-years old) eligible for legal import to the country. Here are ten cool and collectible 1994 dated cars that can now be legally imported to the U.S.

10 Mitsubishi FTO

This 1990s compact sports car was planned originally for release only to the Japanese domestic market but earned popularity for grey-market import to Hong Kong, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. It is a front-wheel-drive coupe with a front-mounted engine, featuring a svelte shape manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors between 1994 and 2000. It came with a transversely mounted V6 or an inline-four with either an INVECS-II semi-automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual. True to the definition of its model as “FTO” – Fresh Touring Origination, this machine was proclaimed to exude youthfulness, freshness, and originality, making this little machine cool and fun to drive.

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9 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO II

Manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016, is a sports sedan Evolution (or EVO) model that uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive system, with a 4G63 engine producing an increased output of 256 PS (188 kW; 252 hp), with power sent to all-four-wheels (AWD) through a five-speed manual. Enhancements include a slightly longer wheelbase, a lighter sway bar, wider tires, and a larger rear wing. Like the FTO series, the Evolution was an exclusive for Japanese domestic markets but the demand on the grey-market import made the Evolution available for sale in the United Kingdom, and wide-spread across Europe through Ralliart dealer networks.

8 Toyota Celica GT-Four

Japan’s high performance model of the Celica was created to compete in the World Rally Championship, generation ST205 built from 1994 to 1999. Made with a 2.0-liter 3S-GTE turbocharged, four-cylinder, running through a 5-speed manual with full-time all-wheel drive (AWD), pumping between 239 and 252 horsepower. Featuring Toyota’s Super Strut Suspension System, the GT-Four carried enhancements such as an improved all-aluminum hood and improved suspension. Although the Toyota Celica GT-Four was never sold in the U.S., there is finally an opportunity for this series to touch American soil. The Celica GT-Four came in 3 generations from ST165 (1986-1989), ST185 Super Round shape (1989-1993) and the new ST205 built-in 1994-1999.

7 Nissan Silvia Nismo 270R

Nissan Silvia S14 Nismo 270R
Via Pinterest

In Nissan’s long-running line of sports coupes, a special version of Nismo was created in 1994 that is called 270R to showcase an upgraded engine with increased horsepower output - the SR20DET, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. The 270R was equipped with a limited-slip differential and it was designed with an aggressive body kit with a vented hood. It was originally manufactured with engines tuned for efficiency and economy. There were only 50 units of the 270R produced, making it a much bigger challenging and extravagant acquisition venture, but for Nissan car fanatics, the effort and cost will all be worth it.

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6 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II

The sports car line will not be complete without the Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II in it, after making its nameplate in 1989 as one of the world’s impressive fast cars. This Japanese manufactured powerhouse, fierce machine introduced in 1994 was already in an upgraded V-Spec (Victory Specification) II version, with an RB26DETT-powered all-wheel drive, 2.6-litre turbo inline-six, and pumping a 276 horsepower (206 kilowatts). The GT-R V-Spec featured parts such as 17-inch BBS wheels, all-aluminum hood, Brembo brakes, and a newer version of the all-wheel-drive system ATTESA E-TS Pro. The V-Spec II version came in with slightly wider tires for a boost in grip.

5 Opel Tigra

The Open Tigra was originally produced from 1994 to 2001 under the German automaker Opel, built with most of its style taken from the Opel Corsa sedan. The Tigra was made available in two petrol engine options from the Ecotec family; a 1.40-liter engine pumping 90 PS (66 kilowatts) and a much larger and sportier version of 1.6.-liter engine with 106 PS (78 kilowatts), technically still derived from the Opel Corsa. Although the Opel Tigra wears a sporty look with a hint of class and posh, it was more about style than performance and was never one of the fastest and formidable classics in the auto market.

4 AUDI RS2 Avant

Also known as the Audi 80 RS2, was a limited edition, high-performance five-door, five-seater wagon in the Audi line that was co-developed with Porsche and was actually assembled on a Porsche assembly line in Zuffenhausen, Germany. The Audi RS vehicle was designed to pack the most powerful version of Audi’s 2.20-litre inline-five-cylinder, turbocharged engine, producing 311 horsepower (232 kilowatts), powering all four wheels through Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. As the brand’s first coolest RS (Racing Sports) masterpiece, it manufactured from March 1994 to July 1995, it undeniably falls under one of the most coveted and highly-prized items today. Despite its maturity in the auto market, lasting a couple of decades, it definitely is still fun to drive.

3 BMW M3 Sedan

BMW M3 of the BMW 3 Series generation (E36) of high-performance coupes and convertible automobiles was since pretty much a famous German model for car enthusiasts. This BMW line was made even more enticing with its family-friendly sedan version that came out in 1994. Manufactured with a powerful 3.0-liter inline-six pumping a 282 horsepower (210 kilowatts) is pretty much a valuable choice for its extra power. M3 models were built with unique brake calipers, rotors, and master cylinder and were all geared with either a Getrag 265 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, 6-speed manual or 6-speed SMG transmissions.

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2 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

The Subaru Impreza was manufactured in Japan starting in 1992 as a compact car that later on diversified to various models of a four-door sedan and a five-door that later was introduced as a hatchback type. Rally born and bred, the Subaru WRX STI closely competed with the Mitsubishi EVO II, and with its hardcore STI features, added fuel to the raging battle between the Subaru-Mitsubishi rivalry in the 90s. As a WRX (World Rally eXperiment) model, it features rally-inspired technology including all-wheel drive, stiffened suspension, and turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The introduction of the STI (Subaru Tecnica International) versions in 1994 created an upgraded standard for the WRX such as blueprinted performance-tuned engines, transmissions, and suspensions.

1 Renault Clio Williams 2

The French automaker Renault was one of those that gave birth and popularity to hatchbacks, and in 1994, it introduced its Clio variant Renault Clio Williams 2. Williams 2 was powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinders like all other Clio Williams types, producing 145 horsepower (108 kilowatts) in a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions. It was equipped with a performance-tuned ride and handling. It’s geared with additional front seatbelt pretensioners and side impact bars in the doors for better crash safety. Although the Clio Williams 2 wasn’t designed for a powerful performance with its robust build of 2,000 pounds, it was still an excellent and fun road machine to drive.

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