California Chimaera?

[nia198]

Am moving to CA in a few months with work - not sure how long I'll be there, but will be at least 2 years. I know CA have some of the tightest emissions laws in the US, but is it possible to take my year 2000 Chim 450? I read this about a guy with a Cerb out there, so I guess it can be done.
http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/features/usa/

Anyone know how I can get in touch with this guy, or anyone else who knows about doing such things to ask how difficult and costly it would be? Any help or ideas would be great. Sounds like I could probably only do it for a year, but if it wasn't too expensive I'd be very tempted.

Cheers.. Nick

[so called]

I know you can do it for 12 months, keeping it on your UK plate.
But apart from that cant help.
Sat on the balcony overlooking San Diego bay at the moment.
All it needs to make it perfect would be to hear your Chimaera go driving by.

Oh well, I should stop day dreaming and get back to work.
Its tough but someone has to do my job.



(yes, smug B)

[nia198]

For now I'm afraid this is the best I can do. Who would've thought the new factory would open up next door...


Now if that's not California dreamin.....

Will think about it once I'm here if I'm gonna stay for more than a couple of years. In the mean time, am told the Viper's handling handling sucks, so looking for a new idea....

[so called]

Yes, now your realy dreaming.

[FEE 50]

Hi Nick.

I looked into this a few weeks ago, as I'm very tempted myself.
This was a quote for my t350c from 1st Move International (www.autoshippers.co.uk)


SUMMARY AND PRICES
Shipping from UK Port of: Southampton
To the Overseas port of: Port Hueneme

Port to Port Price £ 919.00
Subject to confirmation of dimensions
UK Export Documentation fee £ 27.00
UK collection by an insured driver or on a recovery transporter is available on request

Frequency of departures: Every 7 Days
On water Transit time: 22 Days

Cheers
Dom

[Slow M]

You might consider shipping to NY instead of CA and driving to LA yourself. That way you get to enjoy the countryside.
B

[nia198]

Thanks for the info Dom - I think the problem is CA itself rather than the shipping. Haven't looked any further since I moved (TVR in storage, driving a Vette here, but do miss the Tiv), but don't think I could keep here here with the wheel on the wrong side, emissions and lack of airbags etc. Looks like you're coming to near LA. I'm up in SF. Think CA is the hardest state to get into from what I read before I moved. Do let me know how you get on if you decide to bring her in. Just be aware that the octane levels are different here. The super unleaded is 91, so you'll need that adjusting one end or the other.

Nick

Edited by nia198 on Thursday 24th September 08:03

[markh1]

American octane ratings are different. I think that 93 in the US is equvalent to 99 here.

[RJDM3]

It can be done, its complicated and can be reasonably costly. Further more you will only be able to register it in the state of CA at the begining of each year under a special SB100 registration. It could be titled out of state and the brought into CA, but the registration process is very similar.

Budget on around £10,000 including all modifications and shipping to get this done, and be prepared to be very patient.

PM if you want to chat in more detail

[heightswitch]

RJDM3 said:

It can be done, its complicated and can be reasonably costly. Further more you will only be able to register it in the state of CA at the begining of each year under a special SB100 registration. It could be titled out of state and the brought into CA, but the registration process is very similar.

Budget on around £10,000 including all modifications and shipping to get this done, and be prepared to be very patient.

PM if you want to chat in more detail

Ah. the good old US of A. land of the free.

[Miffy964RS]

As it happens I'm working in Port Hueneme right now, and see all the Jags and Range Rovers covered in plastic being driven to the storage lot once a week.

You can bring any foreign registered car to the US for a year without having to pay taxes or conform to local regulations, providing you are a national of the foreign country. After the year the car must be re-exported and can never enter the US again. If you don't re-export it and they find it they will crush it and probably sentence you to the electric chair for good measure.

For permanent import the car must conform to all DOT safety regs and federal and state emissions regs in force on the date it was made. For a car that was also sold in the US at the time this will typically set you back around $25000 with all paperwork and mods just for lights, bumpers, airbags, glass etc. For a car like a TVR you would have no chance and would need to provide another one or two for destructive crash testing anyway.

[RJDM3]

Miffy964RS said:

As it happens I'm working in Port Hueneme right now, and see all the Jags and Range Rovers covered in plastic being driven to the storage lot once a week.

You can bring any foreign registered car to the US for a year without having to pay taxes or conform to local regulations, providing you are a national of the foreign country. After the year the car must be re-exported and can never enter the US again. If you don't re-export it and they find it they will crush it and probably sentence you to the electric chair for good measure.

For permanent import the car must conform to all DOT safety regs and federal and state emissions regs in force on the date it was made. For a car that was also sold in the US at the time this will typically set you back around $25000 with all paperwork and mods just for lights, bumpers, airbags, glass etc. For a car like a TVR you would have no chance and would need to provide another one or two for destructive crash testing anyway.

Well that is one way of doing it. There are other legal ways also.