Importing production vehicle as kit car??

[chingon]

I'm wondering if anyone's done it, and if it's even possible.

Planning on bringing one thru mexico but dunno the deal here. Can't be as easy as pulling the drivetrain and re-installing it statesides can it?

If I decide to ditch the drivetrain altogether and go w/a different US make (OEM is crap anyway)

I'd appreciate any responses, thanks

[drift freaq]

Been done and shut down by the Feds. There was a company in Orange county that was doing it with S15's. kazuo I am not sure If I am spelling it right. Anyways its a no go at this point. Feds are wise to it.

[chingon]

Been done and shut down by the Feds. There was a company in Orange county that was doing it with S15's. kazuo I am not sure If I am spelling it right. Anyways its a no go at this point. Feds are wise to it.

kinda reading a bit more into it. Seems as though you may get away w/it if you swap over a US emission compliant drivetrain.

gathering more details atm.

[KOUKIboy]

I've heard about people trailing vehicles through the border, I think you just need a tittle and stuff, ask customs they should be able to help you, cause I have a 65 Impala that I purchased on the other side of the border and was gonna trailer it home and they said it was ok, all I needed was a tittle, what car are you planning on bringing???

[chingon]

I've heard about people trailing vehicles through the border, I think you just need a tittle and stuff, ask customs they should be able to help you, cause I have a 65 Impala that I purchased on the other side of the border and was gonna trailer it home and they said it was ok, all I needed was a tittle, what car are you planning on bringing???

i think 25 years or older vehicles get a pass. especially vehicles manufactured in the US and then taken down there.

Thinking of smart roadster.

[slider2828]

Just import as parts and done... engine drive train and a bunch of stuff will need to be removed. You just won't be able to register it, but you can get it landed no problem....

[Bambi]

Just import as parts and done... engine drive train and a bunch of stuff will need to be removed. You just won't be able to register it, but you can get it landed no problem....

This basically.


In short, yes it's possible. But to have that same car registered, titled, insured; not so much.




I assume you're talking about something less than 25 years old, possibly something not even sold here.

[Corbic]

kinda reading a bit more into it. Seems as though you may get away w/it if you swap over a US emission compliant drivetrain.

gathering more details atm.

Nope. You stil don't meet Safety Regs and you also can't build a kit-car out of a factory vehicle.

Example - I have a 1974 240Z. I then swap in a LS1. It's still a 1974 240z. I don't get to call it a "assembled kit car"

This is true for foreign cars as well. You can't take a production S15 and then claim you built it at home so you can get a title.

Kaizo tried importing rollers and installing engines. The Feds shut them down.

Motorex tried doing the conversion deal. Crash tested cars, upgrade safety items, emission check.

This sounds easy till you realize it's not. You have to have all those safety stickers found on US cars. You have to upgrade the seat belts in a R32 to the pesky automatic ones, later cars need US Spec Airbags. Even if you pass emissions, you still have to be OBD II compliant after 1995 - GTRs are not OBDII.

Motorex eventually had to cut corners and lie on their documentation. They stated cars where older than they actually where and often times had to forge paper work because they couldn't get all the required documents from Japan.


The best way to get a JDM car is to simply become a multi-billion dollar manufacturer and then lobby congress to change the law. You can personally thank Mercedes Benz for the 25 year rule.

[PeaceOnesxWai]

Wasnt there a talk about importing R32s?

It was GTR model specific.. They meet a certain criteria where they can be brought in as historic vehicles of importance and also due to the low quantities produced. But even under that you can only drive the car 2000 miles a year.

Just import a Hakosuka.. they look awesome and there is a well established business that imports them in every couple months or so. Vintage Japanese Vehicles Sales and Restoration | JDM Legends (http://jdmlegends.com/)

[sr20s14koukikid]

Even if you do end up importing a jdm vehicle that is 25 years old that's technically exempt of emissions and DOT how do you go about switching the title into a u.s. one? I know for a fact that its legal to do so hence the hakosuka but I just don't know the process? Any one care to explain to me? Would really like to know this would be really significant to me. 👍🔰


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[Corbic]

Even if you do end up importing a jdm vehicle that is 25 years old that's technically exempt of emissions and DOT how do you go about switching the title into a u.s. one? I know for a fact that its legal to do so hence the hakosuka but I just don't know the process? Any one care to explain to me? Would really like to know this would be really significant to me. 👍🔰


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Really helpful link.

https://www.google.com/

[sr20s14koukikid]

Very funny. Don't think I've tried it. Smart ass. Only reason I ask is cuz I couldn't find that awnser on google.


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[Corbic]

Very funny. Don't think I've tried it. Smart ass. Only reason I ask is cuz I couldn't find that awnser on google.


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I found it very easily on google. This topic has been covered... A BILLION FUCKING TIMES SINCE THE 1980S.

[sr20s14koukikid]

Then I guess I'm the only retardation that doesn't know how to use google. Huh fucktard? I bet your one of those in their late 40s sitting at home with nothing better to do other than show up with arrogance on a forum were people are trying to get information to questions that might have several different answers, but you thinking your the shit with your witty remarks has to bash on everything and anything just because your bored and probably get off of this kind of shit. And I guarantee anything you pathetic waste of space that you would not have the balls to say this to anyone's face. Your probably just abusing the fact that your sitting behind a computer knowing that my hand can't come out and break that more than likely ugly ass cunt you call a face. Go choke on dick. End your life. Do us all a favor.


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[Corbic]

Then I guess I'm the only retardation that doesn't know how to use google. Huh fucktard? I bet your one of those in their late 40s sitting at home with nothing better to do other than show up with arrogance on a forum were people are trying to get information to questions that might have several different answers, but you thinking your the shit with your witty remarks has to bash on everything and anything just because your bored and probably get off of this kind of shit. And I guarantee anything you pathetic waste of space that you would not have the balls to say this to anyone's face. Your probably just abusing the fact that your sitting behind a computer knowing that my hand can't come out and break that more than likely ugly ass cunt you call a face. Go choke on dick. End your life. Do us all a favor.


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....yeah, kettle, please meet pot.


My age is right under my name. See I know you didn't use google, because Google would have taken you too the NHTSA's website, very first link, and the FAQ really answers all your dumb questions.

The truth is, your never importing a car, so why are you even bothering with your pie-in-the-sky dreams of importing a R34 or S14 roller and swapping in an engine.

There are several Grey-Market cars in the classifieds right now... but I doubt you can stomach the $20-40k price tags they carry, and by and large thats the "Easy/cheap" way to go. All the hard work is done.

But, whatever bro, go cry about knots in your panties. :goyou:

[sr20s14koukikid]

I'm not worried about the importing part. It's bein done dipshit. I just need to wait 3 years for it to be considered a 25 year old car. My question was simply how do I go by and turn the original title into a u.s title. That's all. And FYI not a 34 but a 32 sedan. The hard works bein done. Just a little wait and some information is needed to make a dream come true. Fuck face.


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[Corbic]

I'm not worried about the importing part. It's bein done dipshit. I just need to wait 3 years for it to be considered a 25 year old car. My question was simply how do I go by and turn the original title into a u.s title. That's all. And FYI not a 34 but a 32 sedan. The hard works bein done. Just a little wait and some information is needed to make a dream come true. Fuck face.


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Well you got 3 years to master google then. Better get on it cause it looks like you'll be down to the wire.

[sr20s14koukikid]

Or instead of wasting my fucking time I could just ask people that have gone through and done what you think is a dream. You obviously aren't to social to be spending so much time and depending so much on google huh? I bet you searched in google on how to do half the shit a normal person would figure out on their own. You dumb fuck. Get a life. Stop pissing people off on the Internet. And of you get off on all this shit. Do it in real life see how long that gets you going before someone lays your ass out. Cunt.


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[nomoremk2]

His main point, along with everyone else's was that this HAS been covered to death. Not on zilvia alone. Dude you didn't search nearly hard enough if you couldn't find any info about this. Shit man, pm someone selling a grey market vehicle and talk to them if you need a voice of experience. Don't come in here being a 19 year old shit and calling everyone names. You clearly don't know shit about the shit your asking about, dudes try to help you and you insult them so shut the fuck up if you don't want help. Otherwise learn how to research this stuff on your own and make it happen. Besides you say a 3 year wait for the car in question? Then who gives half a fuck about this right now. Comes back in 3 years and post plenty pictures of your sweet Jdm motor chariot and prove us all to be dickheads.

[sr20s14koukikid]

His main point, along with everyone else's was that this HAS been covered to death. Not on zilvia alone. Dude you didn't search nearly hard enough if you couldn't find any info about this. Shit man, pm someone selling a grey market vehicle and talk to them if you need a voice of experience. Don't come in here being a 19 year old shit and calling everyone names. You clearly don't know shit about the shit your asking about, dudes try to help you and you insult them so shut the fuck up if you don't want help. Otherwise learn how to research this stuff on your own and make it happen. Besides you say a 3 year wait for the car in question? Then who gives half a fuck about this right now. Comes back in 3 years and post plenty pictures of your sweet Jdm motor chariot and prove us all to be dickheads.

See I question when this type of thing goes on. Who asked you to get involved? Does defending this moron make you feel rightous?


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[nomoremk2]

Yeah man. I feel RIGHTEOUS as fuck right now. Because I don't need dudes on the I. The Internet holding my hand through everything and when people try to help I listen. Who asked you to come on this forum and ask a dumbass question then ignore all the answers to your question? I question where your head is at picking shit with everyone who was trying to help. Yeah dude was a smartass but its hard not to be when you read the same questions everyday. Search this forum, search google do your own work if you wanna make this happen. You have a 3 year wait pal. I don't think your pipe dream is going anywhere. If you're for real about it, find one for sale and start enjoying that thing. I wasn't defending anyone, just pointing out your hot-headed attitude towards those trying to help you.

[chingon]

Nope. You stil don't meet Safety Regs and you also can't build a kit-car out of a factory vehicle.

Example - I have a 1974 240Z. I then swap in a LS1. It's still a 1974 240z. I don't get to call it a "assembled kit car"

This is true for foreign cars as well. You can't take a production S15 and then claim you built it at home so you can get a title.

Kaizo tried importing rollers and installing engines. The Feds shut them down.

Motorex tried doing the conversion deal. Crash tested cars, upgrade safety items, emission check.

This sounds easy till you realize it's not. You have to have all those safety stickers found on US cars. You have to upgrade the seat belts in a R32 to the pesky automatic ones, later cars need US Spec Airbags. Even if you pass emissions, you still have to be OBD II compliant after 1995 - GTRs are not OBDII.

Motorex eventually had to cut corners and lie on their documentation. They stated cars where older than they actually where and often times had to forge paper work because they couldn't get all the required documents from Japan.


The best way to get a JDM car is to simply become a multi-billion dollar manufacturer and then lobby congress to change the law. You can personally thank Mercedes Benz for the 25 year rule.

thing is kit cars don't pass safety either (no airbags, crash tests, etc..). From what I understood, kaizo got in the wrong side of the feds cuz they were using jap. engines which were never EPA compliant. To my knowledge they weren't trying to swap compliant engines.

The biggest issue I see at the moment is defining chassis and body. NHTSA classifies one as being w/o tires, wheels, brake lines, and I think doors.

Anyone have any clue how Ariel is getting around the issue? I know they are being manufactured in the states for sale here, but the car is not classified as a kit car (although i think some were/are). How can they get away w/o having to pass smog/safety? Also, they initially were being imported from the UK and just putting the ecotec engines in them. So that kind of gives me some hope.

[fatduece]

Wasnt there a talk about importing R32s?

It was GTR model specific.. They meet a certain criteria where they can be brought in as historic vehicles of importance and also due to the low quantities produced. But even under that you can only drive the car 2000 miles a year.

You can legally import the r32. It just has to be the GTR NISMO edition.

Watch the 2 videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvfyLOFjYWU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqc5WYqduRM

[dizzariot]

....so I STILL read the whole thing but the more obvious question is why argue with someone who's obviously new? The dude's post count is super low so of course he's gonna ask questions covered a thousand times over.

I can't decide if I love the fact that every thread on Zilvia gets derailed or if I hate it...

















...nah I just love it. Funny shit. STFU n00b!

[Walperstyle]

I frankly don't care much about the US import laws, but I am curious about importing a car in Canada before the 15 year rule. Import it as a parts car, and then build it up over the next few years, then when its legal, get it certified.

See, I know we are also not suppose to discuss illegal activity, but I'm the type of guy that would vin swap worst case senereo....but...that's leaving a big margin of error in the event a cop wanted to ruin your life. VI then scrapped. I can't recommend any of you do this, because you probably can't afford to lose it.

I make enough in one month to buy a S15 in Japan and have it covered to import, but the punk's at the docks, I want to know how to buy them off. Longshoremen?

[dizzariot]

I frankly don't care much about the US import laws, but I am curious about importing a car in Canada before the 15 year rule. Import it as a parts car, and then build it up over the next few years, then when its legal, get it certified.

See, I know we are also not suppose to discuss illegal activity, but I'm the type of guy that would vin swap worst case senereo....but...that's leaving a big margin of error in the event a cop wanted to ruin your life. VI then scrapped. I can't recommend any of you do this, because you probably can't afford to lose it.

I make enough in one month to buy a S15 in Japan and have it covered to import, but the punk's at the docks, I want to know how to buy them off. Longshoremen?

http://c.wrzuta.pl/wi10437/05b030f6000f2f234ec38a30/watch-out-we-got-a-badass-over-here-meme

[STL240SXDRIFT]

[QUOTE Longshoremen?[/QUOTE]


Actually...East Coast Longshoremen's Union is planning to strike Feb 6th over contract disputes...threating since December. They might accept "favors" more now than ever being all disgruntled and all...LOL joking.

Yea...I'm in International Imports & Exports (Supply Chain) for a very large battery company headquartered here is STL. It’s hard enough to get a fucking pallet of d-cells or lithium batts through ports internationally without the correct clearance/spot on paperwork/pre-approvals/all parties on same page/positive export-import history...etc.

Good luck on cars...because much more goes into that process. Although it can be done is it really worth it?

Be ready to pay demerge charges when you fuck up...

[fliprayzin240sx]

Nope. You stil don't meet Safety Regs and you also can't build a kit-car out of a factory vehicle.

Example - I have a 1974 240Z. I then swap in a LS1. It's still a 1974 240z. I don't get to call it a "assembled kit car"

This is true for foreign cars as well. You can't take a production S15 and then claim you built it at home so you can get a title.

Kaizo tried importing rollers and installing engines. The Feds shut them down.

Motorex tried doing the conversion deal. Crash tested cars, upgrade safety items, emission check.

This sounds easy till you realize it's not. You have to have all those safety stickers found on US cars. You have to upgrade the seat belts in a R32 to the pesky automatic ones, later cars need US Spec Airbags. Even if you pass emissions, you still have to be OBD II compliant after 1995 - GTRs are not OBDII.

Motorex eventually had to cut corners and lie on their documentation. They stated cars where older than they actually where and often times had to forge paper work because they couldn't get all the required documents from Japan.


The best way to get a JDM car is to simply become a multi-billion dollar manufacturer and then lobby congress to change the law. You can personally thank Mercedes Benz for the 25 year rule.

Kaizo actually did more than just shipping in rollers with out the engine in it. They found a loop hole that basically said that if you mod the body enough, you can get it to become something else. They basically modded the bodies, called them "Kaizo" made cars (IIRC, the title said Kaizo something and the car's year was 1969), managed to get their own vin numbers that way. I knew a couple of guys from Oki, who brought their R34 and S15 this way back in 07-08. They each paid something around $15k to get it stateside.

[Turbo Mat]

You can import cars with 500 or less made due to a historical importance law, Such as R32 N1, Silvia 270R, I believe R33 400R, R34 Vspec II NUR.

That is what I heard and these vehicle's meet the production numbers to do it.

[Corbic]

thing is kit cars don't pass safety either (no airbags, crash tests, etc..). From what I understood, kaizo got in the wrong side of the feds cuz they were using jap. engines which were never EPA compliant. To my knowledge they weren't trying to swap compliant engines.


Once again, a "home assembled kit car" can not be made from a "production body".

As flip stated, Kaizo tried to make an argument the bodies had been substantially modified. The Feds didn't buy it and shut them down. IIRC they also went out and confiscated cars.

You can't put a roll cage in a 1990 Mustang, change the wheels and do an LS1 swap... then throw away the vin and title and request to registar it as a Kit Car.

[Corbic]

You can import cars with 500 or less made due to a historical importance law, Such as R32 N1, Silvia 270R, I believe R33 400R, R34 Vspec II NUR.

That is what I heard and these vehicle's meet the production numbers to do it.

You can import them, but I don't believe you can registar and drive them. They are for display purposes only - EI you opening a museum or you a wealthy private collector.

The import ban is not you simply can't registar and drive a car. It is they seize it at port of entry and hit you with substantial fines and potential criminal charges. So without the proper documentation, RI certificate and proper bond, your not legally getting a complete car in to the country.

[Corbic]

Anyone have any clue how Ariel is getting around the issue? I know they are being manufactured in the states for sale here, but the car is not classified as a kit car (although i think some were/are). How can they get away w/o having to pass smog/safety? Also, they initially were being imported from the UK and just putting the ecotec engines in them. So that kind of gives me some hope.

IS IT LEGAL?

Lots of people ask me if my Ariel Atom is legal. The short answer is YES. But there's more to it than that. It's not as simple as walking off a car dealer's lot with title and registration. As a potential Ariel Atom owner, you'll need to know about a California DMV code named SB-100.

The SB-100 gives 500 vehicles a year the opportunity to be sequenced "specially constructed." The DMV gives 500 vehicles a chance by giving away the numbers 1 to 500. Obviously, in the whole state of California there's a lot of people putting together kit cars or Cobra replicas, etc. So it's really important to get one of these numbers as quickly as you can.

I lined up at the DMV at 4am on January 2nd to be first in line. Even then I had a miserable 3 hour wait while the local office kept ringing and getting a busy signal from Sacramento. Lots of other drivers all over California were busily calling Sacramento trying to get their numbers as well. After three hours of torture I was given a sequence number. This was the beginning of the process of getting my Atom street legal.

This vehicle qualifies as a specially constructed vehicle because it is sold as a kit for self-assembly. Therefore, the laws that apply to a passenger vehicle don't apply to it. This special sequence also gets you a lifetime exemption for a smog certificate. Without that exemption, the Ariel would never qualify. So the SB-100 is great for the new Ariel Atom owner.

Next, you'll need to have a CHP inspection where they go through some of the details on the car. Then you'll go to the smog referee who verifies that you're smog exempt. You'll have a brake and light inspection, back to the DMV and lo and behold you get your license plates. It's a wonderful feeling when that happens!

As an Ariel Atom fan I want as many people as possible to own an Atom, to be legal and get licensed. Obviously I'm not going to be able to get into all that detailed paperwork on this site, but you can go to ArielAtomClub.com and become a member. There you'll have access to the forum where there are some tremendous people who can help you through the process.

Google Rawkzzz.

Since they are built to order, they are considered kit-cars. They don't come with a vin number or title, but since they where never considered a "Car" at any point, you can then apply to have them registered as a "home assembled car" even though you had a profesional due it.

[Rummel Autosport]

Be careful with the 25 year rule. It is specifically stated that it must must be more the 25 years old AT THE TIME OF IMPORT.
If you do it that way they will most likely tell you to piss off because you lied when you smuggled the car in, or they will just knock on your door and take it cause you tried skating around the law.
Uncle Sam DOES NOT like it when you spit on his rules like that.
Many have learned this the hard way.
Do what you want, but be careful.

[chingon]

Google Rawkzzz.

Since they are built to order, they are considered kit-cars. They don't come with a vin number or title, but since they where never considered a "Car" at any point, you can then apply to have them registered as a "home assembled car" even though you had a profesional due it.

yeah, I read that site before I started the thread, thing is that's from 2005, way before the new supplier of the Atom in the States. Basically, the new supplied cars aren't necessarily registered as home assembled/kit cars and are delivered w/drivetrains. So that's why I was wondering what loop hole they used.


fwiw: This is what I asked the EPA and what they told me:
me:
I am wondering if it is at all possible to import a manufactured vehicle under 'kit car' classification if:

1. Said vehicle was never sold as a US model

2. Said vehicle's original drivetrain is removed (purpose being to install/swap a newer US EPA compliant drivetrain)

3. Said vehicle is less than 25 yrs old.

I am unsure what constitutes a 'body' and/or a 'chassis', from section 3 of the kit car website or how that applies to unibody vehicles:

http://www.epa.gov/OMS/imports/kitcar.htm

On the one hand, a vehicle w/o drivetrain is still a motor vehicle, yet one w/o a chassis is not. Again, how does this apply to 'unibody' construction which lack a chassis?



them:
What is the year, make, and model of this vehicle? Has this vehicle been assembled (with the engine installed or was installed at one time)?


me:
2004 smart roadster. Vehicle did come w/an engine from the factory. If I remember correctly, same drivetrain as smart car in US model

them:
That vehicle is not a Kit Car. It was manufactured as a motor vehicle and with the engine removed it is still defined as a motor vehicle and is subject to EPA regulations. For the importation of a nonconforming motor vehicle you would need to contact an Independent Commercial Importer to have the vehicle modified, tested and certified to U.S. EPA Federal emission standards. The vehicle would also need to comply with U.S. DOT safety standards.

still kinda hazy. Cuz if I bought a town car down there and ditched the chassis and drivetrain, it would go in I think.

[240sxwangjack]

As far as i have seen from importing cars and drivetrains, the kit car is the best way to do it .. Noble. the Chassis have to be modified to a "Manufactures" standard then shipped. There are still a few places outside of the stated that can and will do it. There is a lot of paper work involved in doing so and therefore a great sum of cash. The simplest way to do it is through owning a dealership or performance shop.. and then dealer/repair plates or 25+ years then its a lot simpler. I have a buddy that has sat on a right hand drive crx with the complete glass roof for almost 7 year to get it on the street.. if you really want it its time x money. Getting the car here isnt the issue its getting it on the street.:2f2f: