The right Mini for the USA
Discussion
A mini has to be at least 1974 or older to be imported to the USA and not have to fall under US crash standards and emissions. 
My friend's daughter has purchased a 1978 Mini that he wants to take from the UK into the USA. It is a 1978 so thus the problem.
Come on you guys...What would you suggest may be the easiest solution?
My friend's daughter has purchased a 1978 Mini that he wants to take from the UK into the USA. It is a 1978 so thus the problem.
Come on you guys...What would you suggest may be the easiest solution?
A mini has to be at least 1974 or older to be imported to the USA and not have to fall under US crash standards and emissions.
My friend's daughter has purchased a 1978 Mini that he wants to take from the UK into the USA. It is a 1978 so thus the problem.
I believe it only has to fall under 1978 crash and emissions so may not be as tough a task as you think. There are several companies that specialise in "smogging" cars that are purchased in Europe. These companies mostly work on Ferraris, etc. If you are interested, I will have a look about the internet and see what I can find...
ErnestM
I see from your profile that you are from the USA...thank you Ernest for your offer to help! 
I was going to suggest to my friend in Denver that we find an old wreck and effectively transfer the old car's identity to the newer one.
This would be the case if the old car was a wreck and we got it restored using the newer car as a donor. The resultant car would assume the identity of the older car? I understand that the US customs guys just want to see the car's documentation.
>> Edited by Toffer on Wednesday 12th March 18:26
I was going to suggest to my friend in Denver that we find an old wreck and effectively transfer the old car's identity to the newer one.
This would be the case if the old car was a wreck and we got it restored using the newer car as a donor. The resultant car would assume the identity of the older car? I understand that the US customs guys just want to see the car's documentation.
>> Edited by Toffer on Wednesday 12th March 18:26
I think that would be like kit car rules over here where either a certain percentage of parts or certain specific parts from the old car need to be used to assume its identity. Not sure though.
Toffer said: I see from your profile that you are from the USA...thank you Ernest for your offer to help!
I was going to suggest to my friend in Denver that we find an old wreck and effectively transfer the old car's identity to the newer one.
This would be the case if the old car was a wreck and we got it restored using the newer car as a donor. The resultant car would assume the identity of the older car? I understand that the US customs guys just want to see the car's documentation.
>> Edited by Toffer on Wednesday 12th March 18:26
Toffer said: I see from your profile that you are from the USA...thank you Ernest for your offer to help!
I was going to suggest to my friend in Denver that we find an old wreck and effectively transfer the old car's identity to the newer one.
This would be the case if the old car was a wreck and we got it restored using the newer car as a donor. The resultant car would assume the identity of the older car? I understand that the US customs guys just want to see the car's documentation.
>> Edited by Toffer on Wednesday 12th March 18:26
That's about right. Also, I know that the companies that are in Florida have a very easy time converting cars to US specs. I will have a look around, but it should probably not be that difficult. Even th sticker in my Esprit says that it conforms to all standards of the year in which the vehicle was produced.
ErnestM
There is a crash damage element and its also something to do with the bumper height rather oddly!
There is a company in Bristol called MBM I think that always advertises in the inside back cover of Mini World. They to my knowledge have updated older Mini's to look like Sports Pack cars and then exported them. I know this isnt exactly what you are looking for but they may be able to help as they are sure to have gone through the export mill.
Matt.
There is a company in Bristol called MBM I think that always advertises in the inside back cover of Mini World. They to my knowledge have updated older Mini's to look like Sports Pack cars and then exported them. I know this isnt exactly what you are looking for but they may be able to help as they are sure to have gone through the export mill.
Matt.
If you want to import a Mini, just get another Mini that is old enough from a scrapyard, and transfer the identity in terms of chassis numbers and VIN plates.
I know that this is not strictly legal, but how likely is it that the change of identity will be spotted? It is a Mini. It looks like a 1973 Mini. The plates say it is a 1973 Mini. The paperwork says it is a 1973 Mini. It is a 1973 Mini.
I know that this is not strictly legal, but how likely is it that the change of identity will be spotted? It is a Mini. It looks like a 1973 Mini. The plates say it is a 1973 Mini. The paperwork says it is a 1973 Mini. It is a 1973 Mini.
What are the chances your average US customs guy will even know WTF a mini is? Just bung on some vin plates off a wrecked 1973 scrapper, job done.
(In one issue of Miniworld a US mini owner said he got pulled over by a traffic cop who accused him of driving a golf cart on the highway
)
(In one issue of Miniworld a US mini owner said he got pulled over by a traffic cop who accused him of driving a golf cart on the highway
)
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