Import 96 Chimaera parts car from Canada?

Import 96 Chimaera parts car from Canada?

Author
Discussion

Loach1

Original Poster:

436 posts

148 months

Tuesday 21st August 2012
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I might be in a position to purchase a Chimaera from a friend in Canada. He would like to use the engine in his Rover SD1, and I would remove the gearbox, lights, replace brake hoses with DOT approved, and remove the seat belts. Glazing is all DOT marked, so good there. Then I plan to trailer my parts (no longer a vehicle) to my place in NC where it has various parts transferred to my donor Range Rover. I will use a fair amount of TVR parts to make the new specially constructed vehicle, including the chassis and body.

I don't want to break any laws, but I can't see any difference between this and importing a Noble, Superformance, Birkin, etc. without drivetrain and free of parts that need to be covered by FMVSS. The DMV only seem to want to verify that there are no stolen parts, and that it is roadworthy. They will assign a State VIN, so they don't care about the lack of existing VIN#.

I will need to find seat belts, DOT approved lights, etc. but that should be pretty easy. For emissions, I believe the engine will have to be as it was in the Range Rover?

What could go wrong? No drama please, I just need to know facts.

yonexsp

13 posts

154 months

Thursday 30th August 2012
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Anyone know if this is feasible? I really want a nice TVR engine in my SD1 smile

Loach1

Original Poster:

436 posts

148 months

Thursday 30th August 2012
quotequote all
yonexsp said:
Anyone know if this is feasible? I really want a nice TVR engine in my SD1 smile
Haha - something you don't hear people say very often!

Importing the engine would be tricky, and using it on the street would be illegal in the USA. If you are in Canada, it might be do-able.