importing a Cerbera to the USA - Sept/Oct 2022
Discussion
SIXSIXES said:
Excellent! Another Cerbera in Texas! First one was a light blue 4.2 example I believe.
Do you have any info on this? You might be thinking of me because I announced on some TVR car club facebook groups that I had bought the car almost a year ago, but I have had to wait for 10 months before I could legally import it. I've heard of a number of other Cerberas that are here in the USA already and some that are planning to be brought over soon, but I have not heard of any that are in Texas already. I would love to get in contact with the other owner if there is another one here.Marcq said:
Indeed, please keep the thread updated. I will be moving to Texas (Austin) from the UK at the end of the year, and was tempted to buy a Cerbera to bring with me! As you note, shipping prices have gone a little wild, so I may hold off for a little while and try some 'domestic' cars for a while.
Hopefully prices might come down by then or maybe RORO will be back. It can RORO into Port of Galveston.If you import one permanently, I think you could get that shipping cost back when you eventually sell it as they will be worth more over here since there are so few and since the ones here have to be imported at that cost no matter who brings them over. Plus there might be a premium due to the people who want TVRs but don't want to go through all the hassle of importation. So, the cars in the American market will have that shipping cost built in plus a premium for time saved, basically. At least, that's my opinion and how I justified it to myself.
Hope the move goes well. Keep in touch!
goo-goo-gjoob said:
Do you have any info on this? You might be thinking of me because I announced on some TVR car club facebook groups that I had bought the car almost a year ago, but I have had to wait for 10 months before I could legally import it. I've heard of a number of other Cerberas that are here in the USA already and some that are planning to be brought over soon, but I have not heard of any that are in Texas already. I would love to get in contact with the other owner if there is another one here.
This car was in and out of the U.S a few times over the years but settled with the owner in Texas.The container ship with my TVR has made the trip “across the pond” and looks like it’s now in the holding pattern outside the Port of Houston! My long wait is almost over! I still have to wait for it to dock and for the warehouse to unload it. Not exactly sure, with any certainty, what day I will be able to go pick it up, but I think it will be within the next couple of weeks!
goo-goo-gjoob said:
It's here! Whoohoo! I just have to get it inspected and registered before I can really drive it much, but wow there's a TVR at my home in Texas! Can't believe it!
Fantastic. Can you keep the number plate which is the best I’ve seen in years. Very amusing
I remember waiting months for Christmas and my new ( Chipper) bike as a 5 year old which was so very exciting and an atrocious wait all at the same time as I day dreamed about speedway riding on it
That car looks very smart from here.
Congratulations indeed
Granturadriver said:
Congratulations! A long long one year journey which came to an end.
Did you drive the car from the harbor to you r home or did it use a trailer?
I decided to have it trucked to my place because they kept changing/delaying the schedule, so it was hard to plan a trip to the port. hahaDid you drive the car from the harbor to you r home or did it use a trailer?
I took the Cerbera to a car meet in Texas. This was my first long drive in the car and the first time most Texans laid eyes on a TVR! There were at least two people who recognized the car from playing Gran Turismo on the PlayStation (that's where I found out about TVR as well). The car got a pretty good reception. The organizer made this video, and he wants to do a full review some time soon...
https://youtu.be/i7qie96-0go
https://youtu.be/i7qie96-0go
Well, it took over a month of jumping through some hoops; three trips to the TaxAssessorCollector/DMV and two separate inspections, but we can add Texas to the list of states that you are able to import and title/register a TVR! Say hello to the first TVR Cerbera to be titled and registered in Texas under the 25 year rule!
Below is the steps to be aware of and some advice that deals with importing a car specifically from a foreign country into Texas…
Here’s a summary of what I had to do:
1. Add third brake light and license plate light, in order to pass TX state vehicle annual inspection. Yes, the third brake light is required on any post-1986 vehicle. This annual inspection is standard requirement for any vehicle.
2. Pass the above mentioned TX state vehicle annual inspection at a local mechanic’s shop.
3. Obtain temporary 30 day permit in order to drive to the next inspection.
4. Pass the 68-A inspection. This is where the county sheriff looks at the car and VIN and looks it up in law enforcement databases to confirm that the car has not been stolen. This is a requirement for any car that was just imported. Be aware there was a 5 week wait time for this appointment, but it’s different in other counties.
5. Go back to the TaxAssessorCollector/DMV with all the above forms, application for new title, and the old title to apply for your new title/registration/plates.
A word for the wise – make sure your old title (V5C) has the dealership’s name, if you bought it from a dealership, and not simply the name of a prior owner. Dealership’s don’t normally put their name on the title (standard business practice), but the Texas DMV needs to see a trail of ownership directly from the dealership to the new owner and the names must match. If they see some random person’s name it will cause problems. Also, schedule all these things to happen as close together as possible because the inspection expires after 30 days.
I hope this helps!
Trevor
Below is the steps to be aware of and some advice that deals with importing a car specifically from a foreign country into Texas…
Here’s a summary of what I had to do:
1. Add third brake light and license plate light, in order to pass TX state vehicle annual inspection. Yes, the third brake light is required on any post-1986 vehicle. This annual inspection is standard requirement for any vehicle.
2. Pass the above mentioned TX state vehicle annual inspection at a local mechanic’s shop.
3. Obtain temporary 30 day permit in order to drive to the next inspection.
4. Pass the 68-A inspection. This is where the county sheriff looks at the car and VIN and looks it up in law enforcement databases to confirm that the car has not been stolen. This is a requirement for any car that was just imported. Be aware there was a 5 week wait time for this appointment, but it’s different in other counties.
5. Go back to the TaxAssessorCollector/DMV with all the above forms, application for new title, and the old title to apply for your new title/registration/plates.
A word for the wise – make sure your old title (V5C) has the dealership’s name, if you bought it from a dealership, and not simply the name of a prior owner. Dealership’s don’t normally put their name on the title (standard business practice), but the Texas DMV needs to see a trail of ownership directly from the dealership to the new owner and the names must match. If they see some random person’s name it will cause problems. Also, schedule all these things to happen as close together as possible because the inspection expires after 30 days.
I hope this helps!
Trevor
Interesting. Is there any emissions testing requirement under the 25 year rule?
Isn‘t Texas a state where you can decide what‘s written on you licence plate?
And where did you install the third brake like? On top of the trunk deck (boot lid) or could you integrate that in its rear edge?
Isn‘t Texas a state where you can decide what‘s written on you licence plate?
And where did you install the third brake like? On top of the trunk deck (boot lid) or could you integrate that in its rear edge?
Granturadriver said:
Interesting. Is there any emissions testing requirement under the 25 year rule?
Isn‘t Texas a state where you can decide what‘s written on you licence plate?
And where did you install the third brake like? On top of the trunk deck (boot lid) or could you integrate that in its rear edge?
No emissions test in Texas due to the car's age.Isn‘t Texas a state where you can decide what‘s written on you licence plate?
And where did you install the third brake like? On top of the trunk deck (boot lid) or could you integrate that in its rear edge?
Yes, you can get a custom plate if you want to. I thought about one that says "97 TVR", but I'm okay with the standard assigned number plate for now. I never really cared for vanity plates. I'm budget minded and I have a hard time spending extra for something that is otherwise not really necessary.
For the third brake light, I used a strip of LED lights and stuck it in the valley between the rear window and the trunk. You can't see the light strip unless you open the trunk. But the lights reflect up under the trunk lid and then onto the window, so it looks like the light is in the window. Here's a photo of the light strip and the YouTube link is a video of how it works. It actually came out looking really good!
https://youtu.be/BhOGP3df4Jc
Long time since I’ve been on here but just so people are aware,
I have a 1997 Cerbera, family owned from new, all original, with just 13000 miles on. Served regularly by TVR garages, last was the big 12k service which I had done last year. Literally been to the MOT station and back since.
Not planning on selling it but I know people have been wanting first refusal when the time comes.
Message me for Further information.
I have a 1997 Cerbera, family owned from new, all original, with just 13000 miles on. Served regularly by TVR garages, last was the big 12k service which I had done last year. Literally been to the MOT station and back since.
Not planning on selling it but I know people have been wanting first refusal when the time comes.
Message me for Further information.
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