Federalising a VX220...?

[Nightmare]

A good friend fo mine, who now lives in Florida, is interested in taking a VX220 over there.....and it needs federalising (he thinks).

He read an article in Road and Track about someone getting round the issues of non-federalisable (yes I just made that word up) cars by importing a Caterham minus engine...then the engine seperately. As a result it allowed him to create a 'kit car' - which doesnt need the same tests.

does anyone know if
a) this is accurate
b) If there is a term for it?
c) any thoughts, ideas, wyas of doing it?

would be v grateful for any advice.

cheers
Night

[ErnestM]

There was a guy on eBay a while back that was talking about doing the same thing with a TVR (a Cerb if memory serves) Since he is in Florida, if he can get the parts in and get it put together, he could probably get away with driving it (titling it? who knows)...

I think if I were him, I would make a couple of Federal phone calls, or check out NHTSA's web site and find out

Cheers

ErnestM

[Nightmare]

Ernest...thanks...erm...who are the NHTSA?!

cheers
Night

[ErnestM]

Sorry, about that. NHTSA is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( grrrr ), the administrative arm of the DOT when it comes to motor vehicles. The same people that force airbags, and all of that other useless nonsense (like headlights that can't see s4!t at night). They regulate importation of vehicles. Here is a useful link

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

here's another useful link from the Environmental Protection Agency (they gave us unleaded gas and catalytic converters!):

www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/kitcar.htm


It appears that Miami has quite a few "official" importers and compliance companies, so that may be a good start. I don't know the exact "kit car" loophole, but I do know that it exists. There are virtually NO regulations for kits over here (at least in Florida).

Cheers

ErnestM

>> Edited by ErnestM on Tuesday 12th February 19:07

[ErnestM]

Also, as a follow up to "anthing's possible", look what has shown up in Miami, courtesy of eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1803884970&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=1014075262&indexURL=0&rd=1

ErnestM

[Guy Humpage]

Isn't the VX220 engine the same as used in some of the Saturn range of cars?

[jeremyc]

Nightmare,

Try contacting Faisal Khan for advice (PH member faisalkhan, www.tvrfreak.com) - he has imported his two Cerberas to the US and currently has a Lotus Exige in transit!



>> Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 13th February 09:15

[Nightmare]

Thanks guys - thats brilliant...much obliged

Night

[pbrettle]

One of Faisals cars is at www.tvrbodyshop.com waiting a rebuild - but thats another story...

Cheers,

Paul

[kip]

Go to www.caranddriver.com for Car and Drivers take on the VX220.

[jpf]

Can someone explain to me whether the writers at Car and Driver have a valid point(or conversely, are missing something) or, whether writers at Autocar (for example) know something that Car and Driver doesn't (or, conversely, are missing something).

Seems to be a rather substantial chasm...

www.caranddriver.com