You want a TVR in North America? Let me know.
Discussion
The company line since Nikolai Smolensky acquired it has pretty much been that he wanted to expand to other markets, including the US. He does not appear to have waivered from that. Of course, these things take time and money. But from all I could see they appear to be continuing on that course and trying to achieve the 2008 goal. So, we shall see what the next 1 1/2 years holds for TVR.
jpf said:
Would you put $10 down that TVR will have a certified car in the USA by the end of 2008?
What you guys need is a Personal Import route similar to the one that exists here in Australia. TVR's do not meet the requirments for general import but for personal import the new models are fine. As a personal import the car does not have to comply with all Australian design requirment including safety and emmissions. It does have to be "built" to a minimum standard. Brakes, Glass, seat belt anchorages, Seat's / head restraints, lighting, Catalytic converter etc etc must all meet one or more of Australian, US, Japanese or European specifications. Provided an engineer says these components are good then the car can be registered as a personal import. The system is pretty good. Shame a similar system is not in place in the US.
We are only allowed to import one car per year and we must have owned it outside of Australia for at least a year. This is an effective way of limiting numbers and preventing a business being made of personal imports but allows the enthusiast to have what they want. Time to get a petition going maybe?
The last TVR imported into the US by the factory was the Series 2 280i in 1987. That year, only 7 US-spec 280is were built, and I have #4 of 7. Either three or four of the seven were imported into to Puerto Rico originally, and at least one of those is still there.
And the majority of those seven cars were fitted with the power assisted steering option.
No 350is were legally imported into the US however two did come in for the show car circuit, both of them are still here, but only one of them is on the road.
Other TVRs continued to be imported into Canada through TVR North America Ltd. in suburban Toronto, Canada until the mid-1990s when TVR pulled out of the Canadian market as well. Included in the cars that came in there were 350is, a couple of 390SEs, three 450SEs, some S2s, S3s, a couple of V8S models, and some Griffiths.
And the majority of those seven cars were fitted with the power assisted steering option.
No 350is were legally imported into the US however two did come in for the show car circuit, both of them are still here, but only one of them is on the road.
Other TVRs continued to be imported into Canada through TVR North America Ltd. in suburban Toronto, Canada until the mid-1990s when TVR pulled out of the Canadian market as well. Included in the cars that came in there were 350is, a couple of 390SEs, three 450SEs, some S2s, S3s, a couple of V8S models, and some Griffiths.
BrianTheYank said:
heyitsme said:
Do any of you know if there are any Cerberas in the US?
theres at least 1. saw it in out of the woodwork 2 years back i think. cant remember who owns it.
I read about that also. Didn't he say he's had some stupidly high offers for it? something like $150,000?
The only Cerbera I'm aware of in the US is in California. I've never seen one at 'Out of the Woodwork' in recent years (or any time, for that matter). We've had the newer Griffiths, S2s and S3s and V8 wedges, in addition to the normal TVR fare in the US, but I have yet to see a Cerbera in attendance.
I've been looking at importing a 1990 400se and have scoured the web for all the
relevent info on Canadian import restrictions. As far as I know, provided it's
15 years old and can be brought up to par to pas the RIV inspection (see: http://riv.ca/)
you're going to see it allowed in.
I was wondering if anyone had the full RIV checklist of what they look at so I can judge
better if s 400 wedge can be brought up to snuff?
I know that TVRs were legally imported into Canada into the mid 1990s because there are at least three 450SEs that were brought in through TVR North America in Toronto. I can't recall if he brought in any 400SEs but I thought one or two may have come in.
Perhaps if you called and talked with John Wadman at TVRNA he may be able to help.
I dropped him an email a few days ago but no reply yet.
I've read the legal bit and AFAIK the RIV program is only required on cars coming to Canada from the US. This means that as long as the car is 15 y/o there is no safety type inspection done at the federal level. There is a soil/contaminent inspection but that seems to be it. Luckily for me I live in the emissions free zone of Alberta so only a provincial safety is required.
Except for a possible hassle over bumpers and rear side marker lights/reflector, I think I should be able to get it licenced with ease.
I just sold my house, made a nice profit and am waiting for the possession date to get my money. I just hope the 400se I've been eyeballing isn't sold by them.... unless a 450 SEAC comes along.
I've read the legal bit and AFAIK the RIV program is only required on cars coming to Canada from the US. This means that as long as the car is 15 y/o there is no safety type inspection done at the federal level. There is a soil/contaminent inspection but that seems to be it. Luckily for me I live in the emissions free zone of Alberta so only a provincial safety is required.
Except for a possible hassle over bumpers and rear side marker lights/reflector, I think I should be able to get it licenced with ease. I just sold my house, made a nice profit and am waiting for the possession date to get my money. I just hope the 400se I've been eyeballing isn't sold by them.... unless a 450 SEAC comes along.
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