Importing Vehicles

[Mandurath]

How does one find out if a vehicle would be legal to import and drive in the US? Whats sort of emissions standards etc?

 

Vehicle in this case is the Ford Super Pursuit/XR8, or the Holden Ute SS-V

[scannon]

It is pretty much impossible to import a single late model car that is not already certified for US emissions and DOT requirements.

 

Cars like the ones you mention are eligable but you have to spend big bucks getting them certified for sale.

 

Some companies have done this, the Smart car comes to mind. They have been available here for a few years after a company spent a lot of time and money to get them certified. They sell for about double what they cost in Europe (not including the currency fluctuations). That market will disappear when Smart cars are brought in as US certified cars in 2008.

[Al N.]

I bet Tom McClintock (Manik/Westfield) would know.

[Mandurath]

I didnt figure it would be that hard since they use pretty much mustang-ford truck running gear. Damn.

[southwind25]

That we know of...yes it can be done. but it's going to take some extra cash to do it.

:ack:

you may have to have the interior and drive train taken out and shipped seperatly

it also might depend on local laws like emissions for your state-county.

the car could be registered as an off road only...or perhaps as an assembled or kit?

just thoughts.

[JBH]

Several years ago I researched this when I was thinking of bringing a Euro M5 into the country. It is not easy and it will require some modifications to the vehicle to meet DOT, EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Commission requirements. Here are some links that might help answer your questions:

http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/index.html

 

If you are ever interested in a European model BMW, here's the place to go: http://willz.ca/importcanadatousa.htm

 

 

[manik]

Yeah, you will be in need of a "registered importer" who can do the modifications to your car so it will comply with DOT and EPA regs. Highly unlikely the Ford Super Pursuit/XR8 and or a Holden Ute SS-V would be allowed though. There is nothing similar being sold in the U.S.. The Grey-Market BMWs and Mercedes imports are somewhat do-able because the Euro cars are essentially the same as the U.S. counterparts.

 

Sounds like a rather expensive proposition to get a RHD El Camino from Australia though...

 

 

tm

[sporqster]

I didn't tell you to do this, but just swap the VIN with something domestic from a junkyard (or better yet one that's never been salvaged - avoid the inspection, and the salvage title) that looks close enough to the same thing to someone who actually hates cars and pushes paper for a living at the DMV to not know the differnce... say, a ford Thunderbird. V8, big car, RWD, 2 doors = Thunderbird. Close enough. And you should be able to find a ragged out Thunderbird cheap enough to just buy it for the vin number and use the leftover parts as yard decorations or something. That'll get you through the DMV.... now getting it through customs, well, I would suggest having the engine removed and shipping it as parts. Then your project is almost legitimate. You bought a Thunderbird (perfectly legal) registered it, then put some imported parts on it... imported body, imported driveline, imported interior, imported engine, imported electrical, you get the idea.

[Mandurath]

Heheh I considered doing that though I would use either a Ford or Chevy truck (or an old rusty elcamino or ranchero would even be better) and claiming it as a hot rod or something but I am not that desperate for one. But, by the time the costs are added up I could have one scratch built for less. Will just wait and see if rumors that they will be coming in the next couple years on their own. Like they have been rumored for the past few years......

 

Would be nice to have something I could haul with (XR8 has a a 5100lbs towing capacity so it will pull my boat) and take to the track, kinda a do it all vehicle.