Hi, I am Will, here in Portland Oregon. Just picked up my truck this weekend, it's a little rusty but I plan to clean it up a bit and continue to use it as a truck and around-town vehicle. It's only got 49,000 km on it, and starts right up every time. I changed the oil and now I just need to get some new tires on it. Nice to meet you all! -W
Welcome aboard. Nice straight little truck. Good luck on getting legal to drive on the road here in Oregon. I haven't seen a way to do it.
I have seen several kei vehicles here in Portland- I will find out how these other people did it. I do know it has to be at least 25 years old, but other than that, I do not know what other snags there are. As for my truck, I registered it in WA because that's where my house is- I spend most of my time at my girlfriend's house, though. In any case, my car came from a guy who supplies all import docs- four or five extra pages in addition to the bill of sale- the people at the title transfer place in Vancouver, WA were able to process it all and hand me plates and a registration in about 15 minutes. Do you know what the snag is for you?
I know they can be registered and used in Washington. Oregon has a provision in the DMV code that specifically prohibits registering for on highway use. I can't find it right now but have seen it recently. Their problem is they don't/didn't meet federal vehicle or emissions standard when imported. G0vernment can use them (like parks). but not private parties. I have heard that occasionally one gets registered by mistake. Also in the Portland metro area anything newer than 1975 has to have an emissions test so tha would be a problem as well.
Ah, that makes sense. Oregon being persnickety as they often are. My Acty got up to 72mph on the freeway, though I do not suspect that was the best idea. It does 60-65 quite nicely... anyway, woe to Oregon residents who want one of these.