is anyone importing a Cerbera to the USA?

[goo-goo-gjoob]

Now that the 1996 TVR Cerbera is 25 years old, has anyone looked into importing one? I see articles stating that it is now legal to import and I see in the regulations that cars 25 yrs old are exempt from meeting federal requirements, but I also see random claims that it is listed on the "ineligible" list, but that info might be out of date now.

This next paragraph only really applies to emissions rules in Texas, and other states might be different:
I'm still a little confused on if the car would pass an emissions test in Texas because they would want to connect to the OBDII port, which I don't think TVRs have (pretty sure the MBE system is not OBDII compatible). But I believe at the age of 25 years the car may not need an emissions inspection at all simply because of the age and it can also be registered as a classic which requires only a safety inspection but not an emissions inspection. The emissions stuff is pretty confusing but last time I looked into all of this it looked to be possible once the car hits 25 years old.

Thanks,

T

[Stigproducts]

The 25yr rule only applies to the federal tests around safety standards, bumpers and the like. You would have to overcome any state rules like emissions and you would have to review them case by case. If you live in Texas the suggestion from a quick google is vehicles over 24 years old are exempt so it might be OK there."Gas-powered vehicles aged 2 through 24 years (or upon expiration of the two-year initial inspection sticker) require an emissions test in addition to the state inspection"

[Penelope Stopit]

goo-goo-gjoob said:

(pretty sure the MBE system is not OBDII compatible)

Worth a phone call?

https://www.mbesystems.com/capability/

MBE designs and manufactures fully integrated Engine Management Systems (EMS) for volumes up to 20,000 units per year. We design the EMS with the specific customer in mind, satisfying a wide range of requirements including OBD2, wide band lambda, EGAS, Variable Quad Cam Phase, Direct Injection, Fuel Pressure Control.

[geeman237]

Stigproducts said:

The 25yr rule only applies to the federal tests around safety standards, bumpers and the like. You would have to overcome any state rules like emissions and you would have to review them case by case. If you live in Texas the suggestion from a quick google is vehicles over 24 years old are exempt so it might be OK there."Gas-powered vehicles aged 2 through 24 years (or upon expiration of the two-year initial inspection sticker) require an emissions test in addition to the state inspection"

I would agree with this. I think the Cerbera was refused US entry under the "Show and Display" classification, but now it's reaching 25 years old, then I am assuming it can be imported under the 25 year exemption rule for NTHSA federal requirements and I think it's actually 20 years for EPA on the engine. That is, technically, providing the car is in it's original factory built specification, I believe.

However, when you come to register it in your state, then I think the car will be subject to state requirements which may include emissions, but many states exempt cars of 25 years old from state emissions too.

Good luck if you do it. I imported a 1992 Griffith when they hot the 25 year mark, but it was a bit of a lemon and has put me off ever considering a Cerbera.

[Big g]

Hi -
I just completed the purchase, shipping, import and registration of a 1992 Griffith in CT - the vast majority of the process was pretty straight forward using a shipping company, the hardest part was at the local DMV which required a few visits before I got it right. Reading the local DMV website was somewhat helpful but the local office had to refer to the supervisor on every trip. In CT the website says you need just a VIN inspection at a full DMV center , however when I showed up they proceeded to do a full inspection ( I had not expected that) and had the car up on the ramps doing brake testing and alignment and a full safety - but no emissions.
Fortunately the inspector loved the car and it passed without any issues.

I plan to try and bring a Cerbera over but plan to wait until more meet the 25 years.

[goo-goo-gjoob]

Big g said:

Hi -
I just completed the purchase, shipping, import and registration of a 1992 Griffith in CT - the vast majority of the process was pretty straight forward using a shipping company, the hardest part was at the local DMV which required a few visits before I got it right. Reading the local DMV website was somewhat helpful but the local office had to refer to the supervisor on every trip. In CT the website says you need just a VIN inspection at a full DMV center , however when I showed up they proceeded to do a full inspection ( I had not expected that) and had the car up on the ramps doing brake testing and alignment and a full safety - but no emissions.
Fortunately the inspector loved the car and it passed without any issues.

I plan to try and bring a Cerbera over but plan to wait until more meet the 25 years.

Awesome.

That's a good point about waiting for more to meet the 25 yr rule. There doesn't seem to be many 1996's for sale right now.

[goo-goo-gjoob]

SIXSIXES said:

Yes. It’s going in for a full body off job and some tasty extras before being shipped.

Nice! Do you currently live in the UK? Which state will you be importing to? I thought about this, but I'm not sure if I want to find a fully redone one or just a good one. I'm slightly concerned about doing all that work or spending all that money before even importing and going though registration, but then again I'm also worried about getting one here and then having to do a lot of work with no TVR specialists around here. Either way is risky.

[bergxu]

I’ve imported several cars from England for my collection. I’m in Cincinnati, Ohio so no emissions testing here so just had to meet the 25 year EPA and 21 year DOT exemptions for the feds.

I’ll be driving my Griff 500 to Mid-Ohio tomorrow for the vintage Grand Prix in case anyone on here will be attending!

[Granturadriver]

Big g said:

Hi -
I just completed the purchase, shipping, import and registration of a 1992 Griffith in CT - the vast majority of the process was pretty straight forward using a shipping company, the hardest part was at the local DMV which required a few visits before I got it right. Reading the local DMV website was somewhat helpful but the local office had to refer to the supervisor on every trip. In CT the website says you need just a VIN inspection at a full DMV center , however when I showed up they proceeded to do a full inspection ( I had not expected that) and had the car up on the ramps doing brake testing and alignment and a full safety - but no emissions.
Fortunately the inspector loved the car and it passed without any issues.

I plan to try and bring a Cerbera over but plan to wait until more meet the 25 years.

Nice car! And quite rare in your area!

[Joshandcars]

I’ve recently bought one of the last V8 Cerbera’s, I’m very interested to see where the market goes over the next 10 years, and in the meantime enjoy driving and preserving the car for the future 🙌

[so called]

I've been watching this guy importing a Cerbera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq-kR1n8Uok

[goo-goo-gjoob]

Thanks, so called. I saw that one, too. About a year ago I did figure out all the import, inspection, and registration stuff for our rules here in Texas, and then I found a car. I bought the car last year but had to wait for the 25 yr birthday and will be able to import it soon! I just posted a separate thread about it.