importation

[David May]

Seeing a Hawk for sale for lack of importation into France, makes me wonder just how many countries there are in the motoring world where one can still legally import and register a UK-orientated kit.

I (just) managed it in Italy - took 18 months and I would not want to do it again!

Who else has managed it?

Dave May

[Stratos]

Andreas Schmoll imported Richard Irvines car to Germany, and I think it is now registered on German plates.

Nico Alonzi bought Bob Sharp's car, and took it to Holland, but when I saw it at Stoneleigh, it was still running on UK plates.

Gerard Crozier has one registered in France.

[mogul_x]

This is a subject we've discussed a lot in the US Forum. The short answer is that it can't be done here easily, but there are ways around it.

The rules for importing a complete car into the United States are prohibitive. It has to be retrofitted to meet all Federal safety and emissions standard applicable to the year of manufacture. This is a major pain for a mass produced car from a major manufacturer, and can cost tens of thousands of dollars. I've been told by people in the DOT that it's impossible to properly equip a kit car.

There are exceptions. Cars can be brought in short term if they are owned by a foreign national, imported for show, or are research vehicles. These require a lot of documantation, and have to be re-exported or destroyed within a year.

Now, bringing in an incomplete car is very easy. My kit came in with no hassles, and a used kit could also be brought in as long as it was missing its engine, and probably had it's suspension and a few other parts removed and shipped in separated boxes. once it's in, just re-assemble it and register it locally as a kit car. No federal regulations apply - only local inspection criteria (operable light, wipers, etc, and emissions testing for the year of the donor engine)

That having been said, things do slip through the cracks, sometimes people manage to get cars into the country that they shouldn't. John Brewer's car obviously made it in unmolested, but I don't know under what circumstances.

[JohnB_SPY8808053]

Me neither, actually. ;)

John B.

[David May]

I don't quite get the current USA importation situation.

If an imported complete car needs the full DOT treatment (hardly practical these days), how does a kit get away with it?
Is there some loop-hole which allows a built-up car to avoid DOT specs or what?

David

[mogul_x]

David,

It looks like I've opened a Pandora's box! This is a complicated issue that could take hours (or days) to explain fully. It would also require a more advanced knowledge of the material than I possess to describe every nuance.

I've written and deleted several paragraphs trying to make sense of it, and it keeps degenerating into a treatise on American government. Suffice it to say, I don't think anyone wants to read that.

What it really boils down to is that automobiles are governed by two sets of rules here: Federal and State. Federal automotive rules apply more to the manufacturers, and state rules to the consumer. Since you've got two authorities writing rules, but only one enforcing them at the consumer level (e.g the State), it sets up some interesting, and often amusing, regulatory gaps. Gaps you can drive a car through, literally. I could spend hours trying to give examples, and still not begin to describe it.

If you really want to know, I can try to explain in more detail, but I'd rather not. Too much typing. Catch me at Abingdon after a few too many drinks and I'd probably be more inclined.

Cheers for now

[David May]

Thanks to all, especially Scott for what is obviously a never-ending story.

If I make it to Abingdon (unfortunately unlikely) I'll buy you that drink anyway.

Cheers

Dave