Importing a TVR to the US - How's it done?
Discussion
In terms of use temporarily, that is easy. You put the car on the boat, collect at the port, show your British passport and sign the forms for temporary importation, then drive the car away.
However, if you want other people to be able to drive it, or want it there for more than a year, and it is under 25 years old, you need it to meet US regs. You need to go to the NHTSA website and find an independent commercial importer, then have them do the work. You need deep pockets for this, to the point where it would be cheaper to just sell the car and buy a Porsche instead.
However, if you want other people to be able to drive it, or want it there for more than a year, and it is under 25 years old, you need it to meet US regs. You need to go to the NHTSA website and find an independent commercial importer, then have them do the work. You need deep pockets for this, to the point where it would be cheaper to just sell the car and buy a Porsche instead.
You don't need a letter, or at least I didn't. For example, if you sent the car on a Walenius Wilhelmsen boat to Halifax, Canada you could then drive it into the USA just as any other tourist would. You would not need a note from the EPA.
I would phone Wallenius lines and ask them what you need to do to get the job done.
www.2wglobal.com/www/officesAgents/searchOffice.jsp?region=Europe&country=United%20Kingdom
I would phone Wallenius lines and ask them what you need to do to get the job done.
www.2wglobal.com/www/officesAgents/searchOffice.jsp?region=Europe&country=United%20Kingdom
Thanks Gavin. I heard yesterday from the HR dept that as part of a relocation deal I get to fill a 20ft container which they will ship over for me! Guess what I'll be putting in the container 
I'll give your shipping company a shout anyway just in case they offer a better damage limitation deal.
I'll give your shipping company a shout anyway just in case they offer a better damage limitation deal.
GavinPearson said:
In terms of use temporarily, that is easy. You put the car on the boat, collect at the port, show your British passport and sign the forms for temporary importation, then drive the car away.
However, if you want other people to be able to drive it, or want it there for more than a year, and it is under 25 years old, you need it to meet US regs.
However, if you want other people to be able to drive it, or want it there for more than a year, and it is under 25 years old, you need it to meet US regs.
out of curiosity, what would the procedure be for a 1965 import?
GavinPearson said:
For a 1965 it would be a case of bringing the car over, showing the Certificate of Permanent Export to US Customs, filling out their forms and paying whatever fee is needed.
A good friend of mine did exactly that with a 1979 Triumph Dolomite Sprint.
A good friend of mine did exactly that with a 1979 Triumph Dolomite Sprint.
cool - heard a rumour the american authorities allowed it in for a year, then it has to be removed and reimported or they 'remove it for you...' :S
I looked in to this for a long, long, long time. As far as I know, there is one Cerbera in the USA and I talked to the guy who did it (nice guy, see www.tvrfreak.com/). He got his TVR as he is NOT a pernament resident, allowing him to use the car for a year I think. He still has it here I believe. Is there way around this? Well, the HS-7 route is not possible as its specifically for show cars and they class the TVR not special enough to meet that.
It might be possible to rip the TVR apart and ship it over as a kit car. You would need a US spec motor in there, then the emissions testing and you might be able to get away with it. Then again, my hope for the law to be a little less strict here has actually got worse.
I have my fingers crossed for you!
It might be possible to rip the TVR apart and ship it over as a kit car. You would need a US spec motor in there, then the emissions testing and you might be able to get away with it. Then again, my hope for the law to be a little less strict here has actually got worse.
I have my fingers crossed for you!
. 
Should be very easy to get your hands on a TVR in the US soon enough (But not the original designs as they will probably be slightly different models)
But now it has been bought by Americans and may be moving to Florida it may now be easier than you think. As a person now living in the US I am happy but also sorry for all those stuck in England who may be forced to drive LHD and only be allocated a couple of hundred cars a year.
Roll on TVR America but on a postive note it will be easier to import them into the UK after adding fog lights and changing the headlights.
Well time will tell lets just hope they do not mess it up
But now it has been bought by Americans and may be moving to Florida it may now be easier than you think. As a person now living in the US I am happy but also sorry for all those stuck in England who may be forced to drive LHD and only be allocated a couple of hundred cars a year.
Roll on TVR America but on a postive note it will be easier to import them into the UK after adding fog lights and changing the headlights.
Well time will tell lets just hope they do not mess it up
+1 Can't wait to see what the American take is going to be on TVR styling, hope they come up with something cool.
Be interesting to see what engines they propose to use as well, the new LS7 7.0ltr C6 engine would be sweet. but this may start to encroach on the 1100kgs that TVR has tried to keep to for all this time.
Interesting times.
Be interesting to see what engines they propose to use as well, the new LS7 7.0ltr C6 engine would be sweet. but this may start to encroach on the 1100kgs that TVR has tried to keep to for all this time.
Interesting times.
Aren't TVR's illegal in the US? They don't have bumpers, no emission control and are just too bloody dangerous for the law obiding US citizen.
saw that today on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTHbONOpu9c
Cheers
Olav Bergman
Holland
TVR S2
saw that today on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTHbONOpu9c
Cheers
Olav Bergman
Holland
TVR S2
Edited by Olav Bergman on Tuesday 29th May 00:39
Gassing Station | USA & Canada | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff