You want a TVR in North America? Let me know.
Discussion
This has been done before with earlier TVR's (Griffith and Chimaera). The guy importing them got royally shafted by TVR when they found out. Save yourself a load of grief and contact TVR before trying to get a car into the US. Better still, get one in Canada and nip over the border to pick it up for a spin every so often...!
elisek said: how is to import TUSCAN to USA dismatelled?
the car complete but separate from Engine-gearbox??
ERRR!
i got it!!
www.ukgarage.it/q11.jpg
www.ukgarage.it/tvr/qq1.jpg
www.ukgarage.it/tvr/qq2.jpg
but i want export to USA
Cheers!!!
i got it!!
www.ukgarage.it/q11.jpg
www.ukgarage.it/tvr/qq1.jpg
www.ukgarage.it/tvr/qq2.jpg
but i want export to USA
Cheers!!!
Just for the sake of conversation, roop, Canada's import rules are even stricter than the US's. I've heard you can't import any foreign cars into Canada that are not up to Canada/USa rules. But yes there are some circumstances where taking a nip up to canada and back is neccessary. 
elisek, from what I've heard one basically needs to remove the engine and trans. Didn't somebody post recently that they actually talked to DOT and EPA and thats literally what they told them?? It may of been in the Ultima forum, I go there alot. But tah, I've heard customs in the US can be very picky. My dream has been to remove, engine, tranny, and then just for effect remove some other stuff to give it the appearence of a partially built car. (windshield, seats, wheels??)
I can't help but think any day we will hear about somebody importing the car and enjoying it. Buttaaahh service and parts will be a problem untill TVR does this officially. But will a TVR with airbags, 5 mph bumbers, and less crackely engine be as enjoyable? Oh jees
elisek, from what I've heard one basically needs to remove the engine and trans. Didn't somebody post recently that they actually talked to DOT and EPA and thats literally what they told them?? It may of been in the Ultima forum, I go there alot. But tah, I've heard customs in the US can be very picky. My dream has been to remove, engine, tranny, and then just for effect remove some other stuff to give it the appearence of a partially built car. (windshield, seats, wheels??)
I can't help but think any day we will hear about somebody importing the car and enjoying it. Buttaaahh service and parts will be a problem untill TVR does this officially. But will a TVR with airbags, 5 mph bumbers, and less crackely engine be as enjoyable? Oh jees
There is no ACT to get together, TVR (Peter Wheeler) seems to currently have no interest in selling to the USA. Especially as Europe (particulary Germany)is on his doorstep..
The only way I can ever see this happening is via a separatly financed company.
b
>> Edited by bjwoods on Tuesday 4th November 11:16
The only way I can ever see this happening is via a separatly financed company.
b
>> Edited by bjwoods on Tuesday 4th November 11:16
I posted this on another 'TVR in the US thread' - there is a 2003 TVR Tuscan S being offered for sale on eBay (Nov 8th, 2003) that is reportedly sitting in Miami, Florida with changes to meet EPA/DOT requirements complete. The car is RHD which IMHO just shrinks the pool of willing buyers dramatically.
As someone else stated to us on the wrong side of the pond :0 TVR does make LHD editions for export to Germany, Netherlands, etc. Accordingly why not start with a LHD and try to bring it in then? Anyhow I applaud the attempt by anyone to bring a brand new TVR into the States. For an individual (vs. an business enterprise) trying to get a TVR in, the US laws aren't as strict as they once were back in the day when say Bill Gates tried to smuggle in a 959.
Someone stated before that TVR actually took the effort to sue someone doing likewise. Are there any more details to that fact/rumour?
I was at Road Atlanta for the 2003 Petit LeMans race and Noble's US Distributor, 1G Racing in Hamilton Ohio, had a display and LHD cars for examination. I spoke with the rep and they sent me the full packet of materials. What they do to circumvent the DOT/EPA req. is make you, the buyer (here in the State), the manufacturer. In doing so the car is shipped sans engine and transaxle as such the car is classified under US laws as "a component vehicle".
The Noble buyer is then given names of places that will sell and install those items at your direction, again absolving them of being the manufacturer. Noble has been able to do this for a little while so it does appear to be a successful loophole. Of course that car will accept a variety of engines unlike a TVR with its own engines
As someone else stated to us on the wrong side of the pond :0 TVR does make LHD editions for export to Germany, Netherlands, etc. Accordingly why not start with a LHD and try to bring it in then? Anyhow I applaud the attempt by anyone to bring a brand new TVR into the States. For an individual (vs. an business enterprise) trying to get a TVR in, the US laws aren't as strict as they once were back in the day when say Bill Gates tried to smuggle in a 959.
Someone stated before that TVR actually took the effort to sue someone doing likewise. Are there any more details to that fact/rumour?
I was at Road Atlanta for the 2003 Petit LeMans race and Noble's US Distributor, 1G Racing in Hamilton Ohio, had a display and LHD cars for examination. I spoke with the rep and they sent me the full packet of materials. What they do to circumvent the DOT/EPA req. is make you, the buyer (here in the State), the manufacturer. In doing so the car is shipped sans engine and transaxle as such the car is classified under US laws as "a component vehicle".
The Noble buyer is then given names of places that will sell and install those items at your direction, again absolving them of being the manufacturer. Noble has been able to do this for a little while so it does appear to be a successful loophole. Of course that car will accept a variety of engines unlike a TVR with its own engines
Why not buy a griffith or a chimaera?? Let me remind you that the enginecover of the tuscans are sealed and can only be taken off by an approved dealer or the factory else you will lose the guarantee. I have spoken to and know a few people who have tuscans and i can tell you they are not the most reliable tvr's. The griff and chimaera on the other hand have Land Rover engines and problems can be solved in any garage.... Don't want to put anyone off buying a new one but it brings a certain risk which you'll not have with a late griff or chimaera
Not entirely true that, the Tuscan engine cover is held on by 4 bolts and 2 slider catches, it is easy to get off and on again, even easier if there are two of you as it is a big cover!
There is nothing to tell the dealer/TVR if the cover has come off and nothing in the warranty to say you shouldn't do it
Graham
There is nothing to tell the dealer/TVR if the cover has come off and nothing in the warranty to say you shouldn't do it
Graham
Terminator said:
scotishpower said:
so nobody know how i can get one?
Move to the UK 
That's funny. I am actually considering that. I know it's ridiculous, but I have loved these cars for a long while and am seriously considering moving so that I can get a 400se... unless someone knows how I can get on here.
Just as a point of curiousity and an argument I was having with some friends, what would it take in regards to EPA and NHTSA regulations to pass a TVR for legal sale in the US?
Would the bumpers have to be changed? Safety glass installed? Airbags made avaliable? Would the car pass emissions inspections with the Speed Six motor? I've tried to search for the correct answer, but unfortunately my location in Texas makes it difficult to acertain the answers to these questions. Obviously the demand exists in my country to obtain these cars and not just as 'Show or Display' models. LHD versions are made, so the question remains as to what else it would take to import certain models of their current line. Any help would be greatly appreciated, even just to settle the argument.
Would the bumpers have to be changed? Safety glass installed? Airbags made avaliable? Would the car pass emissions inspections with the Speed Six motor? I've tried to search for the correct answer, but unfortunately my location in Texas makes it difficult to acertain the answers to these questions. Obviously the demand exists in my country to obtain these cars and not just as 'Show or Display' models. LHD versions are made, so the question remains as to what else it would take to import certain models of their current line. Any help would be greatly appreciated, even just to settle the argument.
Wait and see. Ricardo is going to have to make some adjustments for emissions-so I guess the current answer is no. TVR will make its return to this side of the pond and when it does, well, they'll ealise they should have returned years ago. The bumpers and airbags should be fine, but the emissions aren't and the glass would have to be tempered.
How do they plan on returning? Will they make a new product line suitable for export or merely make the required changes to get the current one to pass? And does anyone have a ballpark figure as to when Smolensky is planning on returning to this side of the pond?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm terribly interested in the company after sifting through most of the posts in this subforum.
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm terribly interested in the company after sifting through most of the posts in this subforum.
When I was at the factory last month, I was told specifically that their goal is to be back in the US market by 2008. They are currently in the process of obtaining US Federal approval for the cars and there were at least a dozen LHD cars in production when I was there, slated for Italy, Germany, and Holland.
Is the company line different from what was said in 2001 (I thought they were going to be back in the USA by 2003!)?
I hope you are right as I have always wanted a Tuscan.
I genuinely wish TVR much success and hope they realize the path to success is design and engineering for the world market!
I hope you are right as I have always wanted a Tuscan.
I genuinely wish TVR much success and hope they realize the path to success is design and engineering for the world market!
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