Ultimas can't be registered for road use in Canada
Discussion
My car went for its inspection yesterday and was rejected based on regulations that were updated a few months ago. The two main contention points were bumpers, and side windows. I now need to contact the minister of transportation and plead my case (which is unlikely, making an exception opening the door, etc) or accept the Ultima as a track-only vehicle.
From the inspection manual:
Reject if:
2.1 Lamps are not marked "SAE" or "DOT", or bearing a European-code E-mark.
3.6d. Any aftermarket seatbelt does not display Transport Canada approval.
4.2a. Any side window is not marked AS-1, AS-2, AS-10, or AS-11
4.2b. Any side window cannot be opened or closed readily.
11.1a. Bumper impact absorbers are missing.
11.1b. Bumper re-inforcement is welded, cut or missing.
11.1c. Bumper is welded to frame.
I'm not about to quit after putting all this work into the car, so I'll try to come up with some clever way of pleasing the government. We'll see.
In the title I mention Canada as a whole. The inspection was done in the province of Alberta, and each province have slightly different regulations so it may be possible to pass inspection in a different province. But every province regulations follow closely the guides put out by Transport Canada, so I think the chances are slim.
From the inspection manual:
Reject if:
2.1 Lamps are not marked "SAE" or "DOT", or bearing a European-code E-mark.
3.6d. Any aftermarket seatbelt does not display Transport Canada approval.
4.2a. Any side window is not marked AS-1, AS-2, AS-10, or AS-11
4.2b. Any side window cannot be opened or closed readily.
11.1a. Bumper impact absorbers are missing.
11.1b. Bumper re-inforcement is welded, cut or missing.
11.1c. Bumper is welded to frame.
I'm not about to quit after putting all this work into the car, so I'll try to come up with some clever way of pleasing the government. We'll see.
In the title I mention Canada as a whole. The inspection was done in the province of Alberta, and each province have slightly different regulations so it may be possible to pass inspection in a different province. But every province regulations follow closely the guides put out by Transport Canada, so I think the chances are slim.
Can you remove the side windows for the test ? therefore they are not tested and cant fail?
You can apparently buy a 5 point harness that is DOT approved for the USA (not sure on details one of the guys in my local car club has it) will they accept that as an equivalent.
As to the bumpers, find out if they will accept the fibreglass cam shell as the bumper providing it meets the requirements for impact absorption . You then will have to work out what the “Bumper” qualities of the cam-shells are. Might pay to contact the Ultima factory and get the specs or a sample of the layup of the fibreglass (is that the same as GRP?). you could then submit a sample for testing if required, a simple impact test with a pendulum rig and accelerometers would probably do the trick. I’m guessing it’s for pedestrian safety.
I have heard of a similar issue in Queensland Australia with a carbon nose cone on a 7.
Ryan
You can apparently buy a 5 point harness that is DOT approved for the USA (not sure on details one of the guys in my local car club has it) will they accept that as an equivalent.
As to the bumpers, find out if they will accept the fibreglass cam shell as the bumper providing it meets the requirements for impact absorption . You then will have to work out what the “Bumper” qualities of the cam-shells are. Might pay to contact the Ultima factory and get the specs or a sample of the layup of the fibreglass (is that the same as GRP?). you could then submit a sample for testing if required, a simple impact test with a pendulum rig and accelerometers would probably do the trick. I’m guessing it’s for pedestrian safety.
I have heard of a similar issue in Queensland Australia with a carbon nose cone on a 7.
Ryan
No, you can't. unless it is 15 years or older. The BMW 850 wasn't available in Canada for years because the bumpers didn't pass regulation, even though they were all over the usa. Same thing with the Lancer EVO. The first EVO available here was the EVO X. All others were illegal, and couldn't be imported from the usa, or anywhere else.
I'm getting some help by email (thanks to the people emailing me). I think it can still be done, with some (maybe a lot) of work. I'm off to my thinking chair in the the garage now.
I'm getting some help by email (thanks to the people emailing me). I think it can still be done, with some (maybe a lot) of work. I'm off to my thinking chair in the the garage now.
The Canadian kit car question comes up with some regularity and it would be great if you or someone could document what the actual requirements or loopholes that you exploited were at the end of the day.
I purchased a 1993 build GT40 replica specifically to beat the 15 yr rule for when I have to move back to Canada from the USA. I have always accepted the Ultima would have to go up for sale at that point.
Good luck.....
Julian
I purchased a 1993 build GT40 replica specifically to beat the 15 yr rule for when I have to move back to Canada from the USA. I have always accepted the Ultima would have to go up for sale at that point.
Good luck.....
Julian
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