Let me get this straight
Discussion
I understand you cannot import a stock TVR into the states without bringing 3-4 cars over for crash testing and having to hand over wads of cash. What I want to know is, can one bring over a rolling chassis (sans engine and tranny) and use a Chevy block and Getrag transmission (For example) and register the car as a kit car? Granted finding a tranny and engine that fit and work with the rest of the car is very difficult. I just want to know if it can be done legally.
I wouldn't expect TVR to sell me a chassis. I would buy a used Tuscan, preferably one that needs a rebuild, then chuck the block and tranny. This is the only viable option unless you have more money than brains. I can't imagine the thought of driving a TVR with a speed six engine without a TVR backed repair shop. Not to knock the Speed six engine, but talk of rebuilding an engine here in the U.S. is typically limited to classic cars or racing cars, not consumer sports cars.
Wouldn't be able to use the Speed 6 anyway. Not an engine that could pass EPA.
The problem is multiple. First Customs, the guy who is in charge of vehicle importation.. forget his name it has been a few years since I looked at this route for the Elise, essentially said that if the car has ever had a VIN or its equivalent associated with its frame, and that car was not US spec, you can't claim it as a rolling chassis.
Ie.. once it was registered as a non-US compliant car _ever_, it isn't a rolling chassis, it is just a car w/out an engine.
Lets say you got a chassis in somehow, registering kit cars is a state by state thing. If I recall how Cali does it, you'd need to take an engine from a car that was already registered, and install it into a rolling chassis, and you'd transfer the original VIN associated with that engine to your 'new' car. There may also be only a limited # of kit licenses available each year, so earlier in the year works better for ending up with a registered vehicle.
The problem is multiple. First Customs, the guy who is in charge of vehicle importation.. forget his name it has been a few years since I looked at this route for the Elise, essentially said that if the car has ever had a VIN or its equivalent associated with its frame, and that car was not US spec, you can't claim it as a rolling chassis.
Ie.. once it was registered as a non-US compliant car _ever_, it isn't a rolling chassis, it is just a car w/out an engine.
Lets say you got a chassis in somehow, registering kit cars is a state by state thing. If I recall how Cali does it, you'd need to take an engine from a car that was already registered, and install it into a rolling chassis, and you'd transfer the original VIN associated with that engine to your 'new' car. There may also be only a limited # of kit licenses available each year, so earlier in the year works better for ending up with a registered vehicle.
I guess the solution would be to ship the chassis disassembled just enough for it to pass as parts. Once its here in the states, the car would take the VIN of the engine donated to it.
Outside of Cali, I can't picture any state or the Fed seeing this as anything other than a Kit. Virtually all kits are chassis with donated transmission and engine.
Outside of Cali, I can't picture any state or the Fed seeing this as anything other than a Kit. Virtually all kits are chassis with donated transmission and engine.
think i have found a solution boys.
www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm#prior
www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm#prior
"think i have found a solution boys.
www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/ente
This link did not address the original issue. I would like to import a used Tuscan as a KIT car. Allowance of a TVR sans engine and transmission is in question. I would use a Chevy/BMW/ETC engine and coresponding transmission. Once here, virtually every state would look at the car as a kit/remanufactured vehicle. The chassis will receive the VIN from the engine block. Yet, can I get the chassis over here legally seems to be in question.
www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/ente
This link did not address the original issue. I would like to import a used Tuscan as a KIT car. Allowance of a TVR sans engine and transmission is in question. I would use a Chevy/BMW/ETC engine and coresponding transmission. Once here, virtually every state would look at the car as a kit/remanufactured vehicle. The chassis will receive the VIN from the engine block. Yet, can I get the chassis over here legally seems to be in question.
Well, if you can wait a couple of years, you may be able to get the real thing, legally. I was at the factory a week ago and their plans include returning to the US in 2008 with, probably, the Tuscan and Sagaris series cars. They're already building left hand drive models and are currently working on obtaining both European spec and US-type approval for the TVRs. There were at least a dozen LHD models in production during my visit and they are serious about returning to the US. So you may not have to go through all this 'kit car' mess to get the real thing.
"A bit lazy to look up as this heat is tiresome, but do kit cars have to go through EPA testing?
EDIT: also how would you go about modding the motor for EPA standards?"
Yes, kit cars need to meet EPA, and you as an individual probably can't manage to get a non spec engine accepted for EPA.
What you'd want to do is drop one of the engines being discussed in the Major Mods forum in. Given the current discussion of a Chevy lump, that would be your best choice.
Get a Chevy lump from a car that was written off, and you can then use its VIN # for the kit car. (In some states you may not to get the lump/VIN from an existing car, and could use a new engine. Kit car regs are state by state).
It is still a pain in the ass process even if you can get a chasis in.
If TVR are coming to US, that is likely the simplest way.
EDIT: also how would you go about modding the motor for EPA standards?"
Yes, kit cars need to meet EPA, and you as an individual probably can't manage to get a non spec engine accepted for EPA.
What you'd want to do is drop one of the engines being discussed in the Major Mods forum in. Given the current discussion of a Chevy lump, that would be your best choice.
Get a Chevy lump from a car that was written off, and you can then use its VIN # for the kit car. (In some states you may not to get the lump/VIN from an existing car, and could use a new engine. Kit car regs are state by state).
It is still a pain in the ass process even if you can get a chasis in.
If TVR are coming to US, that is likely the simplest way.
I'm feeling a bit old, but didn't TVR say they were coming to the USA sometime after Swordfish? I think 2008 is a bit late, but I'll welcome them with open arms and likely order--I've always been smitten over the Tuscan.
I hope you are right--I know that if TVR were to come to the USA with a Tuscan/Sagaris/Tamora line up they woudl do well. The bugs in the cars have had years of development to be worked out!
I hope you are right--I know that if TVR were to come to the USA with a Tuscan/Sagaris/Tamora line up they woudl do well. The bugs in the cars have had years of development to be worked out!
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