Attempts to Import a Tamora to the USA
Discussion
Hi All,
Ok, so here is my situation. I have been trawling threads and forums over the past few weeks researching the possibilities of bringing my 2004 TVR Tamora over to the US. I am a born and bred brit and have been living with my US wife in London for the past couple of years. After the birth of our first baby girl we have decided to move back to the USA. We have filed for the relevant Spouse visa and are expecting it to come through Sep/Oct this year.
I have a stunning 2004 TVR Tamora, with flip paint and only 20k on the clock which is my pride and joy. Am I right in assuming that I can bring the vehicle over for the duration of one year on a HS-7 Form? If so am I required to post a bond on the vehicle? Like by modifying it or declairing it as a kit car? I read the one year allowance is unextendable, if I was able to get it tagged and titled in the US as a 'prototype' or 'kitcar' how would I lose the temporary status? Would I have to declare it scrap first or something? I have read various articles whereby newer tvrs (above 25yrs old) have made it to the states, specifically Faisal Kahns' Cerbera. I have also read about the 2500 miles per year limited mileage for show and display purposes, is this still a feasable option? I mean, odometers break all the time right?!
Any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated....I am not a dreamer asking hyperthetical questions, I am a genuine TVR owner, and I'm definately moving to the US, with or without the car! Thanks in advance for your time and I look forward to hearing any wise words of wisdom!!
Cheers
Rob
Ok, so here is my situation. I have been trawling threads and forums over the past few weeks researching the possibilities of bringing my 2004 TVR Tamora over to the US. I am a born and bred brit and have been living with my US wife in London for the past couple of years. After the birth of our first baby girl we have decided to move back to the USA. We have filed for the relevant Spouse visa and are expecting it to come through Sep/Oct this year.
I have a stunning 2004 TVR Tamora, with flip paint and only 20k on the clock which is my pride and joy. Am I right in assuming that I can bring the vehicle over for the duration of one year on a HS-7 Form? If so am I required to post a bond on the vehicle? Like by modifying it or declairing it as a kit car? I read the one year allowance is unextendable, if I was able to get it tagged and titled in the US as a 'prototype' or 'kitcar' how would I lose the temporary status? Would I have to declare it scrap first or something? I have read various articles whereby newer tvrs (above 25yrs old) have made it to the states, specifically Faisal Kahns' Cerbera. I have also read about the 2500 miles per year limited mileage for show and display purposes, is this still a feasable option? I mean, odometers break all the time right?!
Any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated....I am not a dreamer asking hyperthetical questions, I am a genuine TVR owner, and I'm definately moving to the US, with or without the car! Thanks in advance for your time and I look forward to hearing any wise words of wisdom!!
Cheers
Rob
As far as I'm aware there is no way to get a complete car into the USA and they will confiscate it if you try to do something dodgy.
I believe a Sagaris that was sent over to the US by the two american jokers who NS 'sold' TVR to was impounded as the customs didn't believe it was going to be sent back to it's rightful owner in the UK is still in a customs warehouse.
However.
I understnd that the two Tuscans out there were imported less engine, gearbox and other bits and then re-assembled out there and that allowed them to be classified as kitcars or similar and thus avaid the regs. I think Noble did/do the same thing with the bodies being imported from SA and then the engines etc added while over there.
Mike Vernon (who looked after the Swordfish and Looney Tunes cars) went out there to make the Miami one roadworthy after some US garages had made a mess of the job. So mayeb it's worth investigating that route.
I believe a Sagaris that was sent over to the US by the two american jokers who NS 'sold' TVR to was impounded as the customs didn't believe it was going to be sent back to it's rightful owner in the UK is still in a customs warehouse.
However.
I understnd that the two Tuscans out there were imported less engine, gearbox and other bits and then re-assembled out there and that allowed them to be classified as kitcars or similar and thus avaid the regs. I think Noble did/do the same thing with the bodies being imported from SA and then the engines etc added while over there.
Mike Vernon (who looked after the Swordfish and Looney Tunes cars) went out there to make the Miami one roadworthy after some US garages had made a mess of the job. So mayeb it's worth investigating that route.
Thanks for the reply, I was under the impression that I could import it on the HS-7 form, section 5 on briitsh plates for the duration of 1 year. This bypasses US Legislation on bumper and emission regulations. This gentleman certainly did, I'd just like to know if anyone knew the outcome after the year was up, here's the article:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/features/usa/
http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/features/usa/
TamoraRob said:
Thanks for the reply, I was under the impression that I could import it on the HS-7 form, section 5 on briitsh plates for the duration of 1 year. This bypasses US Legislation on bumper and emission regulations. This gentleman certainly did, I'd just like to know if anyone knew the outcome after the year was up, here's the article:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/features/usa/
If you use the 1 year rule I understand that the car either has to be exported or taken off the road and used only on track.http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/features/usa/
You can import for a year but you then have to export the car or it gets crushed. There is no way to get the engine through EPA standards and importing minus engine is no longer an option (that backroute was closed due to it being abused by a certain manufacturer... *cough* Maclaren *cough*). Taking it to pieces isn't an option either (take a look at the EPA website).
The only real way is to bring it in and federalise it, which means basically redesigning a lot of it. You'll spend far more on it than the car is worth, hence why a Tuscan popped for for sale in the US a while ago for $150K.
In short, forget it. Sorry to be negative but I had a 2000 Griff in storage in Aberdeen for 6 months while I tried methods to get it imported and it all came to nothing.
Or, move to Canada who seem to be ok re. importing there
The only real way is to bring it in and federalise it, which means basically redesigning a lot of it. You'll spend far more on it than the car is worth, hence why a Tuscan popped for for sale in the US a while ago for $150K.
In short, forget it. Sorry to be negative but I had a 2000 Griff in storage in Aberdeen for 6 months while I tried methods to get it imported and it all came to nothing.
Or, move to Canada who seem to be ok re. importing there
I guess this doesn't help in the case of a mint original Tiv but does the kit car rule mean that you could get someone like TopCats to do an LS conversion without drive train, import the car and then fit engine and running gear locally?
If this were the case I imagine quite a few cars would be lost to the US?
If this were the case I imagine quite a few cars would be lost to the US?
fatbutt said:
The only real way is to bring it in and federalise it, which means basically redesigning a lot of it. You'll spend far more on it than the car is worth, hence why a Tuscan popped for for sale in the US a while ago for $150K.
In short, forget it. Sorry to be negative but I had a 2000 Griff in storage in Aberdeen for 6 months while I tried methods to get it imported and it all came to nothing.
Or, move to Canada who seem to be ok re. importing there
Hmm interesting. That $150k Tuscan is the one I referred to in my post above and it wasn't federalised in the sense of much being redesigned. In short, forget it. Sorry to be negative but I had a 2000 Griff in storage in Aberdeen for 6 months while I tried methods to get it imported and it all came to nothing.
Or, move to Canada who seem to be ok re. importing there
When was the loophole closed? I'll ask Mike about that next time I see him.
fatbutt said:
You can import for a year but you then have to export the car or it gets crushed. There is no way to get the engine through EPA standards and importing minus engine is no longer an option (that backroute was closed due to it being abused by a certain manufacturer... *cough* Maclaren *cough*). Taking it to pieces isn't an option either (take a look at the EPA website).
The only real way is to bring it in and federalise it, which means basically redesigning a lot of it. You'll spend far more on it than the car is worth, hence why a Tuscan popped for for sale in the US a while ago for $150K.
In short, forget it. Sorry to be negative but I had a 2000 Griff in storage in Aberdeen for 6 months while I tried methods to get it imported and it all came to nothing.
Or, move to Canada who seem to be ok re. importing there
Appreciate the advise! I may just bring it over for a year anyway, then send it back to the uk. I'm not ready to give it up just yet! I can ship it RORO for under a grand and have already researched the insurance. I have read a little about canada too, it appears as though similar rules apply but instead of being exempt from dot/epa regulation after 25yrs it's 15...that doesn't help me much though!The only real way is to bring it in and federalise it, which means basically redesigning a lot of it. You'll spend far more on it than the car is worth, hence why a Tuscan popped for for sale in the US a while ago for $150K.
In short, forget it. Sorry to be negative but I had a 2000 Griff in storage in Aberdeen for 6 months while I tried methods to get it imported and it all came to nothing.
Or, move to Canada who seem to be ok re. importing there
Any idea's if I could just go on holiday to Mexico for a week then restart the year over?
V8 GRF said:
Hmm interesting. That $150k Tuscan is the one I referred to in my post above and it wasn't federalised in the sense of much being redesigned.
When was the loophole closed? I'll ask Mike about that next time I see him.
I'd be very interested to hear the outcome! I've emailed Faisal Kahn (the guy in the link above) to ask him if his Cerbera is still on the road in CA. Will let you know if he gets back to me, thanks again When was the loophole closed? I'll ask Mike about that next time I see him.
TamoraRob said:
I hope so. I'll be gutted if I have to send it back after to the uk after a year.I have no intension of americanising it, I'd rather just buy a vette'. Just hope it doesn't come to that!
I was gutted about the griff. I also had a Tuscan and had to get rid of that too. I thought about a vette and its really not the same. I tried even going as far as a viper but the engine was horrible.FYI: I imported by 1980 rolls royce really easily so I'm now customising that as my fun car
TVR's really don't suit the conditions here, or at least they wouldn't suit Houston. Too f'kin hot over here! And there are no corners to the roads. And as everyone drives a truck, no-one will see you while they drive/ text/ eat spagetti.fatbutt said:
I was gutted about the griff. I also had a Tuscan and had to get rid of that too. I thought about a vette and its really not the same. I tried even going as far as a viper but the engine was horrible.
FYI: I imported by 1980 rolls royce really easily so I'm now customising that as my fun car TVR's really don't suit the conditions here, or at least they wouldn't suit Houston. Too f'kin hot over here! And there are no corners to the roads. And as everyone drives a truck, no-one will see you while they drive/ text/ eat spagetti.
I know exactly what your saying about the roads/trucks/driving and heat! I am in New Orleans now (Bourbon Street tomorrow night!) and it is HOT! They are all very good reasons not to bring it over, but a little piece of England and the sheer rarity would be worth it to me, even if there is a glimmer of hope of keeping it here. FYI: I imported by 1980 rolls royce really easily so I'm now customising that as my fun car
TVR's really don't suit the conditions here, or at least they wouldn't suit Houston. Too f'kin hot over here! And there are no corners to the roads. And as everyone drives a truck, no-one will see you while they drive/ text/ eat spagetti.That's cool that you brought a roller over, that ticks the English and rare box- plus suits the roads and has air con too! may be something to consider in the future- For now I'm a 28yr old lad desperately trying to hold on to my TVR! I've only just bought the bloody thing too!
fatbutt said:
FYI: I imported by 1980 rolls royce
If you haven't ever heard this old chesnut, you must: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYOX-XNvutQ
DonkeyApple said:
If you haven't ever heard this old chesnut, you must: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYOX-XNvutQ
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