If you are eyeing a Nissan Rasheen in the States, chances are you want something well outside the cookie-cutter crossover mold. Produced in Japan between 1994 and 2000, the Rasheen pairs angular retro styling with everyday full-time AWD usability. It turns heads at local cars & coffee meets precisely because almost nobody stateside has seen one in person.
Based in Japan, Rasheenkan is a dedicated Rasheen workshop. We customize, restore, and maintain these vehicles daily for drivers across Japan—and we build, document, and prepare that same level of craftsmanship for enthusiasts worldwide. Rather than rolling the dice on an anonymous auction car, you get a curated vehicle built to an agreed spec with full workshop documentation.
The U.S. 25-Year Rule
Virtually all Nissan Rasheens now qualify under the U.S. 25-year import exemption. NHTSA calculates eligibility by the exact month and year of manufacture, not generalized model years.
Once past that 25-year mark, the car is exempt from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and federal EPA emissions rules. However, port documentation, import duties, and individual state titling regulations (such as CARB standards in California) are handled locally. For full guidance, consult:
• NHTSA Importation and Certification FAQs
• EPA Vehicle and Engine Import Regulations
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Guidelines
We provide verified build dates, high-resolution documentation, and export logistics, but we always recommend confirming state-level registration with a local customs broker or importer.
Beyond the Cheap Auction Buy
You will find bargain-tier Rasheens scattered across Japanese export marketplace lots. But on a chassis that is over a quarter-century old, cheap usually means deferred maintenance.
Fresh paint easily masks rusty rockers. An auction snapshot won't show you worn suspension bushings, dried-out CV boots, oil leaks, or sluggish gear changes. Whether a customer visits our shop in person or orders from across the Pacific, detailed workshop proof is our baseline:
- Comprehensive photo sets: exterior, interior, engine bay, and underbody
- Cold-start and engine-running video clips
- Metalwork, rust treatment, and paint prep photos
- Compression checks and drivetrain inspection notes
- Routine maintenance logs and parts replacement records
- In-progress photos throughout custom assembly
We keep our disclosures honest. If an engine or transmission has been serviced rather than completely overhauled, we state that clearly.
Stock Classics or Tailored Builds
Whether you want a clean factory-spec cruiser or a bespoke weekend camper, builds are shaped around your preferences and donor car availability:
- Front-End Styling: Choose from our signature options, including the rounded Retro Face, the rugged Adventure Face, or the vintage pickup-inspired Classic Truck Face.
- Body & Paint: Factory hues, period-correct pastels, or modern satin coats.
- Interior Craftsmanship: Custom upholstery, wood-grain dash panels, and retro interior trim.
- Hardware & Stance: Grilles, custom bumpers, vintage steelies or alloys, roof racks, and wood-rim steering wheels.
- Mechanical Depth: From basic fluid, belt, and brake refreshes to suspension overhauls.
Restoration & Workshop Prep: More Than Skin Deep
A custom Rasheen has to drive as good as it looks. There’s no one-size-fits-all build here; every chassis that enters our garage gets a thorough baseline check so we can tailor the mechanical work to how you actually plan to drive it.
Depending on your build spec and budget, our workshop handles:
• Complete strip-down and dedicated rust repair
• Professional metal prep and full-body resprays
• Engine health checks, top-end refreshes, or complete overhauls
• Automatic transmission servicing and 4WD driveline diagnostics
• Full refresh on steering racks, suspension bushings, brakes, and wheel bearings
• Custom upholstery, retro fabrics, and cabin trim fabrication
• Underbody cleaning, rust converter application, and durable protective undercoating
Not every car demands a ground-up rotisserie overhaul. We lay out the vehicle's true condition, walk you through the options, and set clear milestones before anyone turns a wrench.
How to Order Your Rasheen
Our typical process is:
1. Send Your Wishlist: Tell us your home state, target port, style preferences, and realistic budget range.
2. Choose a Direction: Pick an incoming stock chassis, replicate a favorite portfolio build, or start a ground-up custom order.
3. Confirm the Base Car: We inspect the donor vehicle’s exact production date, rust levels, and mechanical vitals.
4. Lock in the Scope: Paint, interior work, mechanical servicing, and custom details are agreed upon before production kicks off.
5. Track the Build: Get photo and video updates as your car comes together in our Japanese workshop.
6. Arrange Delivery: We prepare export documentation and assist with shipping bookings for overseas buyers.
Note: Ocean freight, import duties, port charges, broker fees, and local registration are paid directly by the buyer and are not included in our FOB Japan price.
What to Include in Your Inquiry
To help us dial in the right base chassis and build plan, drop us a line with a few quick specs:
- Location: Your home state and nearest U.S. port
- Build Direction: Stock original or custom build
- Aesthetic Details: Preferred face style, exterior paint, and interior upholstery
- Mechanical Scope: Standard baseline service or a deep mechanical refresh
- Target Budget: In U.S. dollars (all-in or vehicle-only)
- Timeline: Ideal purchase or delivery window
A clear budget helps us recommend the right donor car from day one. A ground-up custom build with bespoke metal and interior work naturally takes significantly more bench hours than a standard export vehicle.
Start the Conversation
Rasheenkan is ready to bring your project to life. Tell us what you have in mind—we’ll show you what is currently on the floor and map out the next steps.