Legally Registered TVR's in USA With Non-TVR Drivetrain??
Discussion
Sorry to start a new thread but I wanted to break away from all the arguing and bickering about what's legal and whats not when importing a foreign vehicle... So ARE there any TVR's younger than 25 years in the USA that were shipped over as a rolling chassis and then had an EPA compliant engine installed?
I suspect the car would still be an illegal, the car has to meet DOT compliance as well as the EPA issues, the five MPH bumpbers, reinforced doors (normally a cross member), third stop light at height of rear deck, etc. Given the sleek design of the 90's and 2000 cars, would require serious modifications.
I know of two that came over without drive trains from the factory. My understanding is that it isn't enough for you to pull the drive train, ship it, and then add a drive train; these were sold new from the factory with a letter effectively indicating they were in component form. The drive train was purchased from TVR Power, as a separate item, and then the car was 'assembled' in the USA. These were mid 90s cars.
With that said I wouldn't want to say there is no other way to do it - but this was a legitimate path.
I know this has been said, but it is worth saying again, it would be foolish to bring a car in to the country that is not permitted. Just because you manage to import it, and the local office allows you to register it, doesn't mean that it is legal. If you ran in to a serious issue, such as a significant personal injury accident, you can be pretty sure the insurance companies and lawyers would be keen on determining if any rules had been broken.
At least it is not too long until the earliest of the 90s Griffiths can come in, legit.
With that said I wouldn't want to say there is no other way to do it - but this was a legitimate path.
I know this has been said, but it is worth saying again, it would be foolish to bring a car in to the country that is not permitted. Just because you manage to import it, and the local office allows you to register it, doesn't mean that it is legal. If you ran in to a serious issue, such as a significant personal injury accident, you can be pretty sure the insurance companies and lawyers would be keen on determining if any rules had been broken.
At least it is not too long until the earliest of the 90s Griffiths can come in, legit.
UKAuto said:
I know this has been said, but it is worth saying again, it would be foolish to bring a car in to the country that is not permitted. Just because you manage to import it, and the local office allows you to register it, doesn't mean that it is legal. If you ran in to a serious issue, such as a significant personal injury accident, you can be pretty sure the insurance companies and lawyers would be keen on determining if any rules had been broken.
Not trying to break any laws. I was under the impression that a rolling chassis fitted with a custom drive train is a significant enough modification that it can be registered as a custom vehicle. It would still need to meet emissions testing, braking distance and have signals/lights.BUT the purpose of this thread was not to discuss the legalities of importing a TVR... It's about whether there are any stateside with different drivetrains.
I don't know of any. If I had the time, there would be one in my garage.
I know you want to avoid bickering, but you are not talking about importing a car, so most of that can go away.
Don't confuse importing a body/frame with importing a car - they are governed by completely different regulations.
Use your body/frame/interior and make your own car. Yes, you need DOT lights, glass, seat belts, etc., just like any other home-built car, and an engine that has been EPA approved in a production vehicle. Since you are the manufacturer and it is just a hobby car, not for building and selling, you need to just conform to the few requirements of a custom-built vehicle. If you want to know what your state requires, please look it up. Luckily the glass is already DOT marked on all later TVR's, so that's a big obstacle avoided. Lights are going to be a challenge, but with enough research that can be resolved I'm sure.
This is exactly the path that every modern Caterham has taken. They are imported as vehicle parts and their owners custom build a car using those parts and donor parts from another vehicle or add new parts. Yes, the Caterham has an MSO, but that is only to prove ownership and country of origin. Part of getting your custom build approved is convincing the DMV inspector that you legally own all parts of the vehicle.
I know you want to avoid bickering, but you are not talking about importing a car, so most of that can go away.
Don't confuse importing a body/frame with importing a car - they are governed by completely different regulations.
Use your body/frame/interior and make your own car. Yes, you need DOT lights, glass, seat belts, etc., just like any other home-built car, and an engine that has been EPA approved in a production vehicle. Since you are the manufacturer and it is just a hobby car, not for building and selling, you need to just conform to the few requirements of a custom-built vehicle. If you want to know what your state requires, please look it up. Luckily the glass is already DOT marked on all later TVR's, so that's a big obstacle avoided. Lights are going to be a challenge, but with enough research that can be resolved I'm sure.
This is exactly the path that every modern Caterham has taken. They are imported as vehicle parts and their owners custom build a car using those parts and donor parts from another vehicle or add new parts. Yes, the Caterham has an MSO, but that is only to prove ownership and country of origin. Part of getting your custom build approved is convincing the DMV inspector that you legally own all parts of the vehicle.
There's a few sub 25 yr old grey imports (Faisal's Cerbera, that Florida Tuscan that was damaged in an accident in LA, and a Tuscan that pops up in Beverly Hills every now and then), but none completely legal, or any that I'm aware of with non original powertrains.
A Caterham, Ultima etc are kit cars so no issues importing them as kits as they come new with an MSO so there is no issue dropping in a crate engine and titling it as a custom/specially constructed car.
Trouble with any current TVR is that they are all previously manufactured vehicles, so even disassembled and in component form, they can't be classified as new which is a requirement. So even if you could get an MSO from TVR, the fact that the kit is not "new" and was a previously assembled vehicle scuppers you.
The only workable present option is to buy a powertrain donor vehicle, and transplant the powertrain from that into your imported TVR rolling chassis. However it also requires you assume the title of the donor vehicle so your TVR will have to be titled as the donor (eg a Camaro, Jag, Land Rover, or whatever). So far from ideal.
As mentioned, all the later on TVR's have DOT marked glass (my Tuscan S does) so no issues there. And in the case of Tuscans at least, all the lights are off the shelf 90mm Hella units which if not already DOT marked have direct drop in versions available in the US. Seatbelts, brake hoses, fuel lines, wheels/tyres are also all easy swaps to DOT marked items.
But a younger than 25 year old TVR with the original engine in it is just not possible to do 100% legally.
Now with the new TVR things could change. I'm sure you could come to an arrangement with Les to sell you a rolling chassis as a new kit with an MSO and the Cosworth engine bits rolling around in the boot. It's then up to you to buy your own crate Ford Coyote powertrain, bolt on the Cossie bits, and then drop it into the car. Hey presto a bonafide TVR the same as they're sold in the UK. Just no TVR dealer or warranty support, and after all that it'll still have to be titled as a kit car.
A Caterham, Ultima etc are kit cars so no issues importing them as kits as they come new with an MSO so there is no issue dropping in a crate engine and titling it as a custom/specially constructed car.
Trouble with any current TVR is that they are all previously manufactured vehicles, so even disassembled and in component form, they can't be classified as new which is a requirement. So even if you could get an MSO from TVR, the fact that the kit is not "new" and was a previously assembled vehicle scuppers you.
The only workable present option is to buy a powertrain donor vehicle, and transplant the powertrain from that into your imported TVR rolling chassis. However it also requires you assume the title of the donor vehicle so your TVR will have to be titled as the donor (eg a Camaro, Jag, Land Rover, or whatever). So far from ideal.
As mentioned, all the later on TVR's have DOT marked glass (my Tuscan S does) so no issues there. And in the case of Tuscans at least, all the lights are off the shelf 90mm Hella units which if not already DOT marked have direct drop in versions available in the US. Seatbelts, brake hoses, fuel lines, wheels/tyres are also all easy swaps to DOT marked items.
But a younger than 25 year old TVR with the original engine in it is just not possible to do 100% legally.
Now with the new TVR things could change. I'm sure you could come to an arrangement with Les to sell you a rolling chassis as a new kit with an MSO and the Cosworth engine bits rolling around in the boot. It's then up to you to buy your own crate Ford Coyote powertrain, bolt on the Cossie bits, and then drop it into the car. Hey presto a bonafide TVR the same as they're sold in the UK. Just no TVR dealer or warranty support, and after all that it'll still have to be titled as a kit car.
Edited by dvs_dave on Wednesday 27th April 00:48
dvs_dave said:
A Caterham, Ultima etc are kit cars so no issues importing them as kits as they come new with an MSO so there is no issue dropping in a crate engine and titling it as a custom/specially constructed car.
Trouble with any current TVR is that they are all previously manufactured vehicles, so even disassembled and in component form, they can't be classified as new which is a requirement. So even if you could get an MSO from TVR, the fact that the kit is not "new" and was a previously assembled vehicle scuppers you.
Dave, I think you are obviously up on the subject, but there may be some details that are different from state to state. In my state of North Carolina we can build a car from anything we have lying around and title it as a "specially constructed vehicle". It still needs to be safe and clean (EPA certified drivetrain, lights, horn, seat belts etc.), but not to new car standards. You have to show that no parts were stolen so it is vital that you import the parts legally, which would be the case if you imported a chassis/body/interior combination (not imported as a vehicle!!!).Trouble with any current TVR is that they are all previously manufactured vehicles, so even disassembled and in component form, they can't be classified as new which is a requirement. So even if you could get an MSO from TVR, the fact that the kit is not "new" and was a previously assembled vehicle scuppers you.
If you want to build a replica vehicle from a kit, it has the same requirements as a specially constructed vehicle, except you have a slightly different title that states that it is a replica. I don't see any real advantage in that though because what is written on the title doesn't really matter - it's still a replica anyway.
This is copied directly from the NCDOT website:
What is a Custom-Built Vehicle?
A motor vehicle that is completely reconstructed or assembled from new or used parts
Will be branded as "specially contructed vehicle"
Year of vehicle will be year of assembly.
What is a Replica Vehicle?
A motor vehicle which is a replica manufactured from a kit and sold unassembled
Titled as the make and year model intended to be replicated
Model listed on title is "replica"
Will be branded as "specially contructed vehicle"
Motorcycles are not titled as replicas.
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