getting a tvr in the u.s.
Discussion
ok so everyone knows about the loop hole of building it as a "kit car" or parts built car its not illegal its a loop hole so what is the big deal why does everyone flame someone when it comes up? i know people that have done this with no problems what so ever has a title and is tagged and inspected with insurance so whats the big deal...also i have been pulled over in his car with no problems and he has been pulled over many times in different states while on a rally which would make it even worse because all the cops were pissed off at people for doing it and never had a problem so I'm just not understanding why everyone thinks its wrong? i have the connections overseas to do it and like i said i know people that have done it so does anyone have a GOOD reason why not to do it?
DONT FLAME ME FOR ASKING A QUESTION!
DONT FLAME ME FOR ASKING A QUESTION!
You cannot get a TVR in the US unless you have a temporary US Visa, even then, it will take a LOT of work. The kit car loop hole will not work, you cannot just bring over a TVR in bits and throw it together, DOT is not dumb. In theory you could bring a TVR over in bits and stick a Chevy V8 in there, or some other legal US engine. That *might* work?!?!?!? (its still a production car in Europe, so if they knew it was a TVR I guess it would be destroyed as it hit the shore) Cost a ton to get everything fabricated and setup though. Most states would be a nightmare to get it registered, California would be the worst, really not a hope in hell. In other words....not worth the time and money.
My two cents...
My two cents...
ok then why am i seeing the tvr's that i did?
.....like i said before i have some experiance with this and i know it would work im not really asking if it would work because i know it will what im asking is why does everyone flame someone for wanting to do it? its the exact same thing as doing it with a skyline the rb motor wasnt a u.s. motor but i know of 100's that are here in the u.s. and driving on the streets im not trying to piss anyone off just trying to find out what the deal is
.....like i said before i have some experiance with this and i know it would work im not really asking if it would work because i know it will what im asking is why does everyone flame someone for wanting to do it? its the exact same thing as doing it with a skyline the rb motor wasnt a u.s. motor but i know of 100's that are here in the u.s. and driving on the streets im not trying to piss anyone off just trying to find out what the deal is
The Godzillas that have come into the states are on bad footing at best as far as legality is concerned. Because for some time the only company which was licensed to import them was MOTOREX, they came in reasonable numbers. Then the NHTSA found out that there are significant differences between the models ((R32 R33 & R34)) which caused them to rescind the legality of R32 and R34 models and MOTOREX being placed in severe legal problems, with its owner "Hiroaki 'Hiro' Nanahoshi being arrested. So R33s are legit, but all others are in a bad spot.
Your best two options are either A - Contacting a Registered Importer ((The List is here - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/web_RI_... )) or B - Lobbying Congress to either convert our automotive safety and emissions requirements to be in line with the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations or adopting a law similar to Australia's which allows one import per year per person of a nonconforming automobile that has been legally owned outside of the country for one year, if I'm not mistaken.
Granted, neither of those options are particularly attractive, but there is a third option which would be significantly easier, if somewhat limiting. Buy a foreign TVR which is 25 years old or older ((At this time 1982)). Then it can be registered as a "Collector's Vehicle" which gives it special exemption.
Bringing in a new chassis which is incomplete ((Sans transaxle)) and unregistered would work, but good luck pulling it off under the beaurocracy's nose.
Your best two options are either A - Contacting a Registered Importer ((The List is here - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/web_RI_... )) or B - Lobbying Congress to either convert our automotive safety and emissions requirements to be in line with the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations or adopting a law similar to Australia's which allows one import per year per person of a nonconforming automobile that has been legally owned outside of the country for one year, if I'm not mistaken.
Granted, neither of those options are particularly attractive, but there is a third option which would be significantly easier, if somewhat limiting. Buy a foreign TVR which is 25 years old or older ((At this time 1982)). Then it can be registered as a "Collector's Vehicle" which gives it special exemption.
Bringing in a new chassis which is incomplete ((Sans transaxle)) and unregistered would work, but good luck pulling it off under the beaurocracy's nose.
Edited by Sandinista on Saturday 18th August 21:45
rhd_imports13 said:
ok then why am i seeing the tvr's that i did?
As I said above, its not impossible, if you have a temporary US visa then you can, lots of work, but it can be done. The guy who owns a Cerb in CA did it this way.rhd_imports13 said:
.....like i said before i have some experiance with this and i know it would work im not really asking if it would work because i know it will what im asking is why does everyone flame someone for wanting to do it? its the exact same thing as doing it with a skyline the rb motor wasnt a u.s. motor but i know of 100's that are here in the u.s. and driving on the streets im not trying to piss anyone off
What Sandinista said. There was an another guy importing Skylines's who was using a fork lift company in China to produce VIN numbers (I think he was/is in LA), they would receive the Skyline, strip it, build it and stick there VIN on there then ship it from China to the US. Totally illegal and not worth the risk, am I gonna spend $50k+ on a car that is not 100% legit? No way.rhd_imports13 said:
trying to find out what the deal is
Thats the deal, take it or leave it
Edited by scottiedog on Sunday 19th August 00:04
Not to make anyone mad, but a question along the same lines of legality: Suppose I take C5 Corvette as a "donor vehicle" with US title, then import just the body and the interior of TVR Tuscan (no engine, tranny etc.) and modify body to fit the chassy. Will US DOT have a problem certifying my "kit" vehicle as long as frame, ABS, CAT and engine are the same Corvette components? I mean really: who wants the TVR engine? It is the looks we want the most (or I do at least). I would be fine with corvette title as along as it looks like a TVR Tuscan. Instead of negative replies I would appreciate helpful advices. Thanks, guys
ok to start with this is about canada not usa (cant find a thread for canada) i currently live in scotland and plan to move to canada this year and bring my TVR cerbera with me, i will be there on a work visa and as long as it states on the work visa i can bring a vehical it should be possible but what i dont yet know is.
how long can i drive the car like this in canada?
from what i have read on the internet so far, as long as i have a work permit and dont become a skilled migrent it should be fine! but as far as the DVLA here goes if the car is out of the country for more than a year it should be exported! so there is a little bit of a grey area there, also canada has the 15year rule that means i can leagally register it there once its that old, now the car was registered 10/96 my work visa will be for 2years and i can extend it by another year without to much difficulty by that point it will just be months till the car is 15 and if my imigration status changes i could put it in bonded storage for that time,
one other thing i'm going there as a mechanic and i have already found out there is no MOT or equivilent inspection there cars just have to meet a standard when new or imported but all that might change in the time i'm there,
and if anyone has shipped cars there is there any shipping company that you can recomend?
how long can i drive the car like this in canada?
from what i have read on the internet so far, as long as i have a work permit and dont become a skilled migrent it should be fine! but as far as the DVLA here goes if the car is out of the country for more than a year it should be exported! so there is a little bit of a grey area there, also canada has the 15year rule that means i can leagally register it there once its that old, now the car was registered 10/96 my work visa will be for 2years and i can extend it by another year without to much difficulty by that point it will just be months till the car is 15 and if my imigration status changes i could put it in bonded storage for that time,
one other thing i'm going there as a mechanic and i have already found out there is no MOT or equivilent inspection there cars just have to meet a standard when new or imported but all that might change in the time i'm there,
and if anyone has shipped cars there is there any shipping company that you can recomend?
If the car is is almost 15 years old then you should be set. You could bring the car over on a student or work visa. You have to have owned the car for I believe 9 months in another country(I could be wrong about the length of time). Once it is 15 years old you could bring it in permanently.
The car does not have to meet any Canadian specs in either situation.
http://www.importcartocanada.info/importing-a-vehicle-into-canada.pdf
The car does not have to meet any Canadian specs in either situation.
http://www.importcartocanada.info/importing-a-vehicle-into-canada.pdf
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