Dubious TVR imports
Discussion
This past weekend I was at the Euroautofestival in SC. Two modern UK spec TVR's were on display, a Chimera and a Tuscan S convertible. I thought I'd ask the owner (business cards on the cars) how they imported them. Two guys who worked for him couldn't give me a straight answer, and one said they were having problems getting US registration and a third car they tried to import got sent back.
Potential buyer beware!!!
Potential buyer beware!!!
Both these cars had their UK licence plates and were RHD. The Chimera won't meet the 25 year rule until 2018, as they weren't introduced until 1993 according to the TVR Car Club website. The Tuscan S was a 1998 onwards model. One chap said they had both been bought in the UK.
The Chimera was silver with a strange sort of red tan interior and the Tuscan I think was a charcoal metallic finish.
The Chimera was silver with a strange sort of red tan interior and the Tuscan I think was a charcoal metallic finish.
tvrmk363 said:
Both of those cars have been around for a while and may or may not be of dubious registration. But any car that is 25 years old can come in. So the "S" can come in and I think the Chimera would be legal next year. It may have come out of Canada at some point.
Charlie
Ohio/VA
Charlie
Ohio/VA
Pity I missed the show, buy yes they are not legally in the country. Their state titles and registration may be legitimate but as far as the Feds are concerned they aren't welcome here yet, so they haven't been imported correctly. They will only become legal after they are 25 and have been re-imported. Until then they are at risk of being seized. I wouldn't want any part of it, but if someone has deep enough pockets then they could take a risk and enjoy the cars hoping that they don't get found out.
Yes, both car owners are taking a high risk approach, any normal traffic stop by any level of police (local, county, state police) could result in these cars being impounded and seized. If an officer decides to dig deeper on their cars, they're gone. A lot of money down the drain, no cars, fines and possible jail time. Not a laughing matter, look at what happened in 1978 with the 3000S, the eleven or so non compliant cars imported into the US. It was a costly mistake by TVR.
Slow M said:
I was going to link that.. I'm watching on eBay. Not driven for a couple of years..!Slow M said:
Yes, that belongs here. I sent the seller a question and asked them who did the EPA and DOT certification? No reply as yet.Hi, can someone help clarify the 25 year rule.
Does it relate the model release date, Ie 1993 for the Chimaera model... meaning all Chimaeras can be imported from 2018.
Or does it relate to the individual manufactured date of the specific car to be imported, Ie my Chimaera made in 1996 will only become eligible under the 25 year rule in 2021.
Thanks, Dave.
Does it relate the model release date, Ie 1993 for the Chimaera model... meaning all Chimaeras can be imported from 2018.
Or does it relate to the individual manufactured date of the specific car to be imported, Ie my Chimaera made in 1996 will only become eligible under the 25 year rule in 2021.
Thanks, Dave.
ChimpOnGas said:
Hi, can someone help clarify the 25 year rule.
Does it relate the model release date, Ie 1993 for the Chimaera model... meaning all Chimaeras can be imported from 2018.
Or does it relate to the individual manufactured date of the specific car to be imported, Ie my Chimaera made in 1996 will only become eligible under the 25 year rule in 2021.
Thanks, Dave.
Dave it relates to the date the specific car was manufactured. So exlcudes most Chims for a while yet.Does it relate the model release date, Ie 1993 for the Chimaera model... meaning all Chimaeras can be imported from 2018.
Or does it relate to the individual manufactured date of the specific car to be imported, Ie my Chimaera made in 1996 will only become eligible under the 25 year rule in 2021.
Thanks, Dave.
KenInOntario said:
Sorry, I found this BaT thread uninformed, inaccurate, repetitive and dull. Too bad, I usually enjoy BaT.Sad to see the car in such shape and with such dim prospects for a legally-continued stay in US. If it is indeed the Faisal Khan car then it sure has changed a LOT over the years. Love the Cerbera. Hope to bring in a LHD example after 2021 when the earliest ones turn 25 years old. Keep buying powerball tickets, I guess.
Hayduke said:
Sorry, I found this BaT thread uninformed, inaccurate, repetitive and dull. Too bad, I usually enjoy BaT.
Sad to see the car in such shape and with such dim prospects for a legally-continued stay in US. If it is indeed the Faisal Khan car then it sure has changed a LOT over the years. Love the Cerbera. Hope to bring in a LHD example after 2021 when the earliest ones turn 25 years old. Keep buying powerball tickets, I guess.
I don't think there are any real LHD Cerbera's examples around. I looked and could not find one. Sad to see the car in such shape and with such dim prospects for a legally-continued stay in US. If it is indeed the Faisal Khan car then it sure has changed a LOT over the years. Love the Cerbera. Hope to bring in a LHD example after 2021 when the earliest ones turn 25 years old. Keep buying powerball tickets, I guess.
Not sure why Americans are so obsessed with LHD vs RHD. The Tuscan has a few LHD cars knocking about and are twice the price.
KenInOntario, I think most of the LHD Tuscans are with the Autobahn crowd. There seems to be one for sale in Germany at the moment. Most of the later model TVR LHD's seem to end up there and some in Holland and France, but some in France are RHD and seem to be British expat's or holiday home owners (depending upon their tax status)cars for sale
KenInOntario said:
Not sure why Americans are so obsessed with LHD vs RHD. The Tuscan has a few LHD cars knocking about and are twice the price.
Ken, It relates to passing, and it's a survival thing. Much better to be able to see oncoming traffic, without having to shove half of your car into their lane.
This Canadian felt the same way, at the prospect of a gorgeous bargain Mistral 4.0 RHD.
Best regards,
Bernard.
Slow M said:
en,
It relates to passing, and it's a survival thing. Much better to be able to see oncoming traffic, without having to shove half of your car into their lane.
This Canadian felt the same way, at the prospect of a gorgeous bargain Mistral 4.0 RHD.
Best regards,
Bernard.
depends on the distance to the truck in front of you. this is the only downside in driving a RHD car in LHD country.It relates to passing, and it's a survival thing. Much better to be able to see oncoming traffic, without having to shove half of your car into their lane.
This Canadian felt the same way, at the prospect of a gorgeous bargain Mistral 4.0 RHD.
Best regards,
Bernard.
You get used to that within some weeks and there are not that many people out there that daily there TVR´s.
Sold again to another poor schmuck for $15,600
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-Other-/37155573570...
I noticed the dealer put a picture of the state registration in a hope that would convince people it was legal. The new owner will be in for a shock.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-Other-/37155573570...
I noticed the dealer put a picture of the state registration in a hope that would convince people it was legal. The new owner will be in for a shock.
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