Shipping a TVR as a kit car to the USA
Discussion
You don't need to go through all the gyrations if teh car is more than 25 years old.
It seems the consensus is that the engine/transmission needs to be out of the car. The COBRA (Superperformance) and GT40 (CAV) kit manufacturers will sell you the complete car put together painted, wired, etc--you need to supply the engine/transmission.
It seems the consensus is that the engine/transmission needs to be out of the car. The COBRA (Superperformance) and GT40 (CAV) kit manufacturers will sell you the complete car put together painted, wired, etc--you need to supply the engine/transmission.
you can import the car (virtually any car) into the u.s. as kit car if the engine trans driveshaft are removed. your next step is what i am working on now, registering the car, in the u.s., to register a car in your state you will need the M.s.o. manufacturers statement of origin, or previous u.s. title, otherwise you will have to get a bonded title. i do know of a loophole in most states where you do not have to register the car and still be able to drive it. I would like to register my car when i import it as what it is at the dmv as a lotus elise, but i don't know what would happen even if i did get it registered i'm afraid the dot would catch on so i'm thinking of registering it as a lotus esprit. by the way the loophole I was speaking of earlier is dealer's tags, it differs for each state in how you set it up but basically if you set up a car dealership (shell company thou some states require a physicale address) you can then get either new car dealer tags or used car dealer tags. with dealer tags the law does not require you to register the vehicle. If anyone has any other suggestions about registering an elise in u.s. let me know. I can give you a link to a copy of the form you need to use when importing the car as a kit car if you are serious.
gsb
gsb
What I say is all speculation and comment but why would the elise without engine/trans be any more difficult to get registered than say the Ultima GTR that is build as a kit by owner? Maybe it is as difficult I don't know. My impression is that perhaps superformance, Ultima cars usa, Ginetta (? Atlantic Georgia) and sunspeed international are licensed car builders and are allowed to assign M.S.O.? If so the peculiar thing is the cars these builder make are not DOT and potentially in some states not EPA certified.
Here is a link with some info on titles.
www.cobratrader.com/html/registration.html
Tell me what you think? Have you already seen this? I didn't know some many states did emission testing. I know Nebraska doesn't. Indiana doesn't require a front license which could be disirable for some of us but seems to have some emission testing. (okay thats not what we are talking about.)
By the way I voted this a superb thread because this is really at the heart of obtaining a real sports car in the US. England in particular seems to have cars that have NO equal in the states. I have lost some interest in importing Lotus and TVR. I figure a XTR2, SR7, or ulima may be easier to build than a real manufactured car. I also more interested in track days. Nevertheless obtaining a title will be necessary for street use.
Good Luck
>> Edited by PiB on Friday 26th July 18:25
Here is a link with some info on titles.
www.cobratrader.com/html/registration.html
Tell me what you think? Have you already seen this? I didn't know some many states did emission testing. I know Nebraska doesn't. Indiana doesn't require a front license which could be disirable for some of us but seems to have some emission testing. (okay thats not what we are talking about.)
By the way I voted this a superb thread because this is really at the heart of obtaining a real sports car in the US. England in particular seems to have cars that have NO equal in the states. I have lost some interest in importing Lotus and TVR. I figure a XTR2, SR7, or ulima may be easier to build than a real manufactured car. I also more interested in track days. Nevertheless obtaining a title will be necessary for street use.
Good Luck
>> Edited by PiB on Friday 26th July 18:25
Regarding the S series (which is also of interest to me as a 2nd car in California) there are rumors of people registering the car as something else, say 25 years old, to get around the import issue. To the untrained eye a 3000S could be mistaken for S-1,2,3 even a 4 or V8S at a stretch. Anyone think this is feasible?
SS
SS
You would have to change the VIN number since it clearly reveals the year of manufacture. The DMV (our DVLA) computers would catch this instantly.
People who do this successfully actually go to the length of buying a chassis from the relevant year and using the VIN from that.
People who do this successfully actually go to the length of buying a chassis from the relevant year and using the VIN from that.
quote:
Regarding the S series (which is also of interest to me as a 2nd car in California) there are rumors of people registering the car as something else, say 25 years old, to get around the import issue. To the untrained eye a 3000S could be mistaken for S-1,2,3 even a 4 or V8S at a stretch. Anyone think this is feasible?
SS
It's a fairly simple question to answer but a good question. I feel like I should do my part in answering because I have spewed alot of comment and speculation on this topic. I've also asked alot of questions that seem to never get answered. So I'll try to do my fair share here.
So anyway, basically the US government (Department of Transportation (DOT) and or National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA)) is ultra strict about what cars can be driven and licensed in the US. If you import a car a special form HS-7 must be filled and the if the car is for permanent use it has to follow every single rule that the gov. requires. I don't know specific rules but things like glass, head lights, brake lights, brake hoses, latches all have to conform to specific rules. I think the car has to have been crash tested not to mention EPA rules for the engine. A manufacturer like BMW, Ferrari, etc can easily afford to spec a US car and have it tested but the individual can't afford to do all that.
What is shocking is that there is no means for an individual to simply import a car legally and affordably. The thing to is that if you go to nhtsa.dot.gov website they don't tell you it's impossable. A person has to read and read and talk to people who convert cars. After doing the reading and investigating you slowly realize that it won't be feasiable. Importing a Euro 911 is tough enough and that is where these Registered Importers make there money from simular cars in Europe converted to US standards. Thus a TVR, with no US version, would be very, very, difficult to import legally by the book.
I'll try to come up with a link that paints the picture a little better. My computer is crashing at the moment. The more people who know this load of bollocks the better even if they are British. An exception rule must be made!
www.buyclassiccars.com/import.asp
Gives you the general idea but doesn't tell the starck reality for importing modern cars. The list of RI's at the bottom usually only do simular cars. Euro 911 converted to US version. A GT3 won't work or least in one instance the gov. disallowed it as a simular 911.
www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0106.html
This is part one of a two part story of importing a F50 race car and although it was not intended for road use it gives the reader the mentality of the NHTSA.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS/index.html
Hundreds and hundreds of rules down to the shoe laces you wear. I'mna see if I can get the GT3 example from the Federal Register.
Okay here it is but it may not link.
Sorry for the long post.
>> Edited by PiB on Monday 7th October 19:22
>> Edited by PiB on Tuesday 8th October 18:14
So anyway, basically the US government (Department of Transportation (DOT) and or National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA)) is ultra strict about what cars can be driven and licensed in the US. If you import a car a special form HS-7 must be filled and the if the car is for permanent use it has to follow every single rule that the gov. requires. I don't know specific rules but things like glass, head lights, brake lights, brake hoses, latches all have to conform to specific rules. I think the car has to have been crash tested not to mention EPA rules for the engine. A manufacturer like BMW, Ferrari, etc can easily afford to spec a US car and have it tested but the individual can't afford to do all that.
What is shocking is that there is no means for an individual to simply import a car legally and affordably. The thing to is that if you go to nhtsa.dot.gov website they don't tell you it's impossable. A person has to read and read and talk to people who convert cars. After doing the reading and investigating you slowly realize that it won't be feasiable. Importing a Euro 911 is tough enough and that is where these Registered Importers make there money from simular cars in Europe converted to US standards. Thus a TVR, with no US version, would be very, very, difficult to import legally by the book.
I'll try to come up with a link that paints the picture a little better. My computer is crashing at the moment. The more people who know this load of bollocks the better even if they are British. An exception rule must be made!
www.buyclassiccars.com/import.asp
Gives you the general idea but doesn't tell the starck reality for importing modern cars. The list of RI's at the bottom usually only do simular cars. Euro 911 converted to US version. A GT3 won't work or least in one instance the gov. disallowed it as a simular 911.
www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0106.html
This is part one of a two part story of importing a F50 race car and although it was not intended for road use it gives the reader the mentality of the NHTSA.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS/index.html
Hundreds and hundreds of rules down to the shoe laces you wear. I'mna see if I can get the GT3 example from the Federal Register.
Okay here it is but it may not link.
Sorry for the long post.
>> Edited by PiB on Monday 7th October 19:22
>> Edited by PiB on Tuesday 8th October 18:14
Darn it GT3 link isn't working! If a person wants to research NHTSA rulings on cars being imported they can do searches on the US govs. Federal Register which is some kind of a record for every government ruling, changes etc. I've read about Galendawagens, Gray market Ferraris, the Nissan Skyline (6 cars had to be crash tested inorder to import) and others.
www.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
Foreigners can keep a car for 1 year before they need to export it. Here is a PDF file of the HS-7 form. Under "5." is where I think foreigners would fill out.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/hs799short.pdf
More info from the NHTSA on importing is here.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
Good luck. If anybody has any additional info or corrections to what I have said don't hesitate to post so we can all be more informed.
www.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
Foreigners can keep a car for 1 year before they need to export it. Here is a PDF file of the HS-7 form. Under "5." is where I think foreigners would fill out.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/hs799short.pdf
More info from the NHTSA on importing is here.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
Good luck. If anybody has any additional info or corrections to what I have said don't hesitate to post so we can all be more informed.
Faisal,
I have a UK passport also, so will probably just do the 1 year of fun routine, bring it over, take it back. Don't know how much you know about the earlier models, I was considering an early model ('93-'94) Chimera or V8S (budget restrictions) do you have any recomendations on either?
Thanks,
Rob.
I have a UK passport also, so will probably just do the 1 year of fun routine, bring it over, take it back. Don't know how much you know about the earlier models, I was considering an early model ('93-'94) Chimera or V8S (budget restrictions) do you have any recomendations on either?
Thanks,
Rob.
I just finally got my British passport. I too was looking at a TVR. Though I've now come to the conclusion that it doesn't look feasible. I'm looking at alternatives though. I'm just an hour and a half north of you(just south of Santa Barbara). Let me know how it goes with your importation. I'm looking at bringing in a Lotus Omega or Skyline. I need something that can be worked on easily. I'd love to have the time and patience to own a Cerbera here.
SurfingSidney said: Faisal,
Don't know how much you know about the earlier models, I was considering an early model ('93-'94) Chimera or V8S (budget restrictions) do you have any recomendations on either?
Thanks,
Rob.
Chimera I know a little bit about. They're very good and fairly cheap and you have lots of choice at the moment, it seems (check pistonheads classifieds). I also know one of the sellers personally so let me know if you want an inside track on a silvery green one.
V8S--dont' know much, except they're pretty fast. But there's plenty of people out there who do know lots about them.
I don't think it will be tough to care for either of them while they're here. Last guy who brought a Chimera over had some serious problems and they were sorted by local mechanics and body shops. TVR shipped the needed parts overnight.
Hope you plan to visit California when you come.
Best regards,
Faisal.
I live in CA, the opposite end to you, but will certainly be heading up the coast at some point. There is actually a TVR mechanic a couple of miles from me, Steve Ferron, and although he deals with the old stuff he will probably have less fear than most.
Rob.
Still have your cerbie here?
Rob.
Still have your cerbie here?
venom7 said: I just finally got my British passport. I too was looking at a TVR. Though I've now come to the conclusion that it doesn't look feasible. I'm looking at bringing in a Lotus Omega or Skyline NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO. I need something that can be worked on easily. I'd love to have the time and patience to own a Cerbera here.
Geeez whats going on with the Cerbera.read my lips NOTHING absolutly Nothing. they can b worked on very easilyan du can ge parts very rapid either side of the pond.
Must admit i cant wait for TVR to start selling to The New World so when i get my permit to live there we can start TVR FOR REAL USA
BB
I may be missing the point completely here and oversimplifying things greatly but, there would appear to be a large demand for TVR in the states.
Has anyone actually priced up how much it would cost to convert existing TVR's to make them US legal. Then added in the cost of buying and righting off a number of TVR's in crash testing.
Then asked Mr Wheeler if he would allow anyone to carry out the conversions and import the cars.
Obviously there is a large initial investment, but if the demand is there and PW is willing, someone just needs to find the right rich investor to get the ball rolling.
Has anyone actually priced up how much it would cost to convert existing TVR's to make them US legal. Then added in the cost of buying and righting off a number of TVR's in crash testing.
Then asked Mr Wheeler if he would allow anyone to carry out the conversions and import the cars.
Obviously there is a large initial investment, but if the demand is there and PW is willing, someone just needs to find the right rich investor to get the ball rolling.
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