Mikey Donuts Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Hi everyone, I've got a few questions regarding shipping a Caterham to the states from England. I'm a US military member who just moved to the UK and I'll be over here for four years or so. I've seen some very nice examples for sale from about $15K-$20K US which seems to be significantly cheaper than used cars in America. I'd love to buy one over here and then bring it back to the US when I return. It seems that the easiest way to accomplish this would be to remove the engine/drivetrain and ship that back separately with the remainder of the car being brought back as "parts". I'd then re-assemble the car in America and register it normally. Does this plan seem feasible? Does anyone know of someone who has imported a Caterham successfully? Thanks very much for your advice. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Short answer: No, not legally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW RACER Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 How about slapping some numbers and various decals on it. Call it a racecar to get it in. Then registering it as a kit car once it's here? Probably not legal either. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Donuts Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Thanks for your responses guys. So there's never been an already built, non-race car, late model Caterham imported into the states from England? I find it difficult to believe that no one has disassembled a car, shipped it and re-assembled it on the other side. What about mid to late eighties Caterhams (which would put me outside of the 25 year requirement by the time I return)? Are these cars worth looking into or should I just save my pennies and get a slightly used or new one in the U.S.? Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 I think the military service actually makes so laws more lenient. U need to see if your base has an ombudsman or other rep who can answer the questions accurately, other servicemen have had teh same questions and desire before. Bring me back a STi 22b or new Festiva RS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Donuts Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Ha! I'll be sure to ask around here but I think most people are under the impression that if it's newer than 25 years old to not even ask. I do know of lots of people who have ordered brand new US spec Bimmers here and ship them back home. Maybe Caterham UK has some info. I'd love to bring back a Caterham and some sort of classic British car (Mini, MG, etc...). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 So there's never been an already built, non-race car, late model Caterham imported into the states from England? I find it difficult to believe that no one has disassembled a car, shipped it and re-assembled it on the other side. Dismantling a car, importing it as car parts, and then reassembling the car is specifically prohibited by federal law, as it will be knowingly misrepresenting the goods being imported. And any car less than 25 years old that you might wish to import must comply with the FMVSS, and a Caterham does not. It is very easy to find this out and more by using your favorite search engine. My advice is to focus on sites with ".gov" in the URL, or sites that are otherwise clearly trustworthy, and to give less credibility (significantly less) to opinions found on so many car-related forums written by those who may or may not know of what they speak. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2k7 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 (edited) I went to England and bought a Westfield (complete parts no engine). Westfield ship the chassis + body panels and declared it as "auto parts". I picked it up in the airport cargo. I shipped the used Cosworth engine separate from westfield. I assembled and registered it "1966 lotus 7". The DMV guy didn't know what a "lotus 7" and he just got along. Done! Edited July 21, 2010 by s2k7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Yes, once an engine OR transmission is installed in the car, at that point it ceases to be "car parts" and forevermore becomes a "car", even if the engine or transmission is subsequently removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Donuts Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Maybe I'll buy a kit here and ship it back to the states for assembly there. A roadsport kit is about 27K here and 40K in the U.S. That should be totally legit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Maybe I'll buy a kit here and ship it back to the states for assembly there. A roadsport kit is about 27K here and 40K in the U.S. That should be totally legit. I'm just speculating, (no affiliation etc etc), but buying the kit over there to save a few bucks (ok, a lot) over what the US distributor charges could result in you being ... alienated? ... over here when it comes to parts, service, advice, etc. from them. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunnyS1 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I'm just speculating, (no affiliation etc etc), but buying the kit over there to save a few bucks (ok, a lot) over what the US distributor charges could result in you being ... alienated? ... over here when it comes to parts, service, advice, etc. from them. Just a thought. No , I have never heard of this being an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2k7 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 (edited) When I bought my Westfield, there was no legitimate dealer then. Yes, buying to a dealer in the USA helps our ailing economy. Edited July 22, 2010 by s2k7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLW Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 I would suggest pulling the engine/transmission of the Caterham and selling them while still in the UK, cleaning it from stem to stern, removing the wheels and shipping it to the USA, installing a DOT/EPA-compliant engine and registering it as a kit car or assembled vehicle. Many people have done this with late-model Loti such as early Elises, 340Rs, as well as TVRs and Marcos, and I have even heard of people doing it with Mexican and Brazilian Volkswagen bugs, of all things. Registering it as a normal vehicle rather than an assembled/kit car would be difficult and potentially illegal AFAIK, but unless you are planning to register the Se7en in California, the kit-car registration would not be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I would suggest pulling the engine/transmission of the Caterham and selling them while still in the UK, cleaning it from stem to stern, removing the wheels and shipping it to the USA, installing a DOT/EPA-compliant engine and registering it as a kit car or assembled vehicle. Many people have done this with late-model Loti such as early Elises, 340Rs, as well as TVRs and Marcos, and I have even heard of people doing it with Mexican and Brazilian Volkswagen bugs, of all things. Registering it as a normal vehicle rather than an assembled/kit car would be difficult and potentially illegal AFAIK, but unless you are planning to register the Se7en in California, the kit-car registration would not be a problem. I don't think that will work anymore. The state government in Colorado and I suspect most other states wants to see an MSO to prove it has not already been a complete car. As mentioned in an earlier post: Kit car means exactly that. Not a disassembled box of parts. I had to prove it was a new kit as well as provide proof the engine and transmission were not stolen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckus racing Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 dumb question... what is MSO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 manufacturers certificate of origin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Manufacturers Statement of Origin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Buy a used Westfield off Pistonheads.com and try shipping it back. You can find heavily modified Megabusas with a few thousand miles for a total cost much less than brand new. Otherwise, contact Manik Technologies to purchase a new Westfield kit when you get back in the states. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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