Roadsterdriver Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 So few here, so many there... https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=used-cars&Distance=2147483647&Keyword=ford&KeywordCleanedValue=ford&M=19&M=0&Postcode=l.y.ksx.w.q.z.blus-.l7.p1nw.x.q7u-.iz.o0rk1.a.xpr.o1h.r.wx4.n.r.e.nxy.d.u.n0.h.z.i9.nq68.esz.z&ResultsPerPage=15 I’ve read the threads in how it is impossible, but then I also read thread about the guy who just went ahead and did it without any problems. Anybody try lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsterdriver Posted January 10, 2020 Author Share Posted January 10, 2020 https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=caterham&_trksid=p2380057.m4084.l2632.R2.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xcaterham.TRS0&_sacat=9801 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 You have read the rules I assume? 4 basic ways: 1) 25 years or older 2) race car 3) show and display 4) Federalize on import Any other way is going to be exposing you to risk. You can roll the dice and rely on being lucky but I don't think that is a good discussion topic for a public forum. Having imported more cars than nearly everyone on this forum, I would not roll the dice. I have always been subject to the optional special inspection. Given I did not take risks on my imports, I have always passed the inspections with flying colors. I like to sleep well at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsterdriver Posted January 10, 2020 Author Share Posted January 10, 2020 Ok, I’ll let it go... thanks for the voice of reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Maybe you should not? It could be entertaining to watch you roll the dice! :seeya: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Croc: Dumb question, but what does it mean to "Federalize on import"? Do not pass go, do not collect $200, Go straight to Leavenworth? P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 (edited) what does it mean to "Federalize on import"? It means you use a US Government registered/approved agent to convert the car to be compliant with all elements of the US Government Federal rules for an automobile. So that means DOT standard compliant in everyway - bumpers, crash protection (including results of crash testing - minimum 2 cars destroyed in this - one front and one side plus may need an offset test with a third car), emissions, fuel tank, air bags, passenger ingress space, DOT approved lights, indicators, glass, instruments, soft materials, steering column, etc. Not going to happen with a seven. My Ferrari was a Federalized import in 1983 - still has the official badge from the process on the driver side door frame. There is a big out on this approach that many manufacturers take - You persuade the government that the car you are importing is identical in all relevant aspects to a car already imported/manufactured here as that has been approved previously for sale. Subaru follow this approach for some of their Impreza special editions where the body shell is the same and they up the hp to hotter and add lots of plastic aero things that millennials think look sexy on a car. Roadsterdriver has raised a fair question - there are many people who do bring in cars as "parts" but that is strictly forbidden as once the car is together (and road registered) then it is supposed to be imported as such not disassembled and imported as components. Given the forms require you to sign statutory statements of what you are doing then, if caught you have committed a Federal crime - financial penalties definitely and possible jail time await the lucky recipient. I think the Skyline GTR guys got 2 years but they had a repeated pattern. So maybe only 6-8 months of having a butthole that looks like the Japanese flag? Edited January 11, 2020 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Or, just buy a 1995 or older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 If a car is 25 years old or older would it need to be federalized? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatallightning Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 If a car is 25 years old or older would it need to be federalized? Nope. Unless you're in California. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) Be careful - you should not mix Federal and State. Over 25 years and original engine configuration plus a chassis plate with date of manufacture on it then the Federal authorities (USCIS)will let the car in. EPA allows from 23 years. No Federalization needed. Once in the country then to title and register you default to the State regs. CA emissions rules are rather particular. There are a few year by year loopholes but they are very limited. You can pay for the car to be made compliant with CA emissions (more stringent than Federal requirements) - someone paid to do that on my 1982 Fiat - it still has the CA validation plate bonded to the frame. NJ has an onerous foreign country proof of ownership validation process to go through before you can title a foreign import (over 25yr) car in the state. I ended up going down a bonded title process for some cars simply because certain countries require surrender of the original title documents on exit of the country while NJ require the originals (which had to be surrendered on export....sigh...I hate bureaucrats). I like FL...no requirements whatsoever. Sensible politicians and bureaucrats. Edited January 12, 2020 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Croc, don't start with the California slurs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Really? A grey market 1982 Fiat? That one is not proudly displayed on your tag line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Croc, don't start with the California slurs. I was not slurring CA at all. By all means take us through how easy the CA process is for getting an over 25 yr foreign import vehicle through emissions. Really? A grey market 1982 Fiat? That one is not proudly displayed on your tag line. Its there. Its a Fiat when its misbehaving and its misbehaving. Did I pee in your cornflakes or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Just kidding. So anyway, what kind of Fiat? 124? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 LOL. Its a Ferrari when it behaves and its a Fiat when it does not. Fiat is the polite expression of a four letter word beginning with "F". I like 124s - sweet handling little things with lovely engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anker Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 The first second car we had was a Fiat 127. A sweet little drive. Not a sportscar, but huge value for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 If I was thinking of a new Miata, I would seriously consider the FIAT. It is SOOO much nicer looking. Down right pretty car. Too bad they didn't just change the body and keep the Mazda running gear. Then I really might want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 I think we are thinking of 3 different Fiats, so for clarity: 1. I was thinking of a 1970 Fiat 124 like this. 2. Anker was thnking of a Fiat 127 like this (I think) 3. Panamericano is thinking of Miatas - the current model Fiat 124 Spider All very attractive cars in their own way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anker Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Correct about mine. Its even the right color! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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