About the 25 year rule for importing cars...

[Stu R]

Slightly embarrassed I can't remember much about this given my previous export business, never mind.

Anyway, I've got the itch to own some of the 80's yob mobiles I never owned or appreciated. At the minute I've got the inexplicable urge to put a sapphire Cosworth in the garage, and I've fancied another 205 GTI for a while.

Before I get my hopes up and start trawling eBay and autotrader, can someone refresh my memory? Tax and duty I'm cool with, but am I right in thinking it's just a case of get it here and get it registered of it's over 25?

Lastly, for now at least, what if the car is modified, any snagging points there? Smog stuff / annual inspections aren't a concern in Ohio, but anything federal I should know about?

[GavinPearson]

If the car is legitimately 25 years old there is no issue.

It's cars like minis and landrovers that seem to have old identities put on new cars that have problems.

Import a legitimate car, with good paperwork and you will be fine.

[downthepub]

Doug DeMuro, off Jalopnik, has written a number of posts inspired from his current experiences importing a 25yo Skyline GTR from Japan.

http://jalopnik.com/here-are-the-four-legal-ways-t...
http://jalopnik.com/i-m-importing-a-1990-nissan-sk...
http://jalopnik.com/here-s-how-you-register-an-imp...

Might be useful background?

[blueedge]

As above if the car is over 25 years old there's no issues at all. I actually saw this Sierra at Lime Rock Park in CT when I was holidaying in the States a few years back:



Some internet research shows this one came in via Canada in pieces though before it was 25 years old, and I'm not sure that it actually had the Cosworth engine in it.

[Stu R]

Thanks chaps, seems pretty straight forward. The hunt begins!

[LostCroc]

I recently did another post on the over 25 year import rules on another forum but it would be on point for the OPs original question.

Post 13 of this thread is what you are looking for:
http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?10365-1999-...

I have imported quite a few cars lately and are in process on 1 other. I am happy to talk offline on the pain points you should watch out for if it helps you avoid some problems.

[LostCroc]

I recently did another post on the over 25 year import rules on another forum but it would be on point for the OPs original question.

Post 13 of this thread is what you are looking for:
http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?10365-1999-...

I have imported quite a few cars lately and are in process on 1 other. I am happy to talk offline on the pain points you should watch out for if it helps you avoid some problems.

[BoxheadTim]

IIRC (I brought a couple of bikes over from the UK) the feds don't care that much about emissions and mods, but your local DMV may. Or may not.

If you live in a place that has emissions testing it'll still have to meet those which may be fun in places like Cali. Not a problem in places where there is no smog testing requirement.

With the help of a customs broker and a company in the UK that had shipped vehicles to the US before, the whole thing was surprisingly easy. So easy in fact that I may be tempted to do it again with a car .