57 replies to this topic

[rik]

do you have kit cars in the usa? if so how do you register them for road use after you built them? In the uk I believe you can build/import any car/vehicle and have it pass a SVA test you can drive it edit: p.s. I'm sure an opel speedster would be much easier to get registered due to the steering wheel issue

Edited by rik, 25 October 2009 - 02:12 AM.

[Nicane]

ps I dont know what part of the states your in, but they dont come with air con!

Hm, I could always install it or just go without. Top down? Who needs AC? It's cheaper on gas anyway.

And thank you for being supportive. I'm calling the DOT and NHTSA about it now. I'll keep you all updated.

do you have kit cars in the usa?
if so how do you register them for road use after you built them?
In the uk I believe you can build/import any car/vehicle and have it pass a SVA test you can drive it

edit:
p.s. I'm sure an opel speedster would be much easier to get registered due to the steering wheel issue

I'm not sure about kit cars, I'll have to do research. That was one thing that got after me. They allow people to buy vehicle and completely strip it down and add a new engine, performance parts, and all that crap. Why? I don't know. Because the parts are allowed in the US, maybe? It doens't make sense, because those vehicles are so much worse on emissions and everything else I'm sure. I'll have to check on registration of all that.

And the nice thing about the Opel, if I can get them to allow it in, I can get the Vauxhall in. The regulations of the DOT say that any right-hand model equal to that of a left-hand model is allowed in the US. Bingo.

[rcvaughan]

Kit cars are a no go in the states if I recall correctly. (in the same way that our kill joy government is trying to ban kit cars here ) Fingers crossed! I send my first emails this weekend making enquiries. I have the added difficulty that, when I want to take my car to the states it'll be to California and I will have all of their additional SMOG laws to adhere to

[Nicane]

Kit cars are a no go in the states if I recall correctly. (in the same way that our kill joy government is trying to ban kit cars here )

Fingers crossed! I send my first emails this weekend making enquiries. I have the added difficulty that, when I want to take my car to the states it'll be to California and I will have all of their additional SMOG laws to adhere to

Good luck with that! You'll have to keep me posted on how it goes and if you do it, how you did it. If you aren't able to, what routes you took. But good luck with all that, haha.

[fraser]

I'm pretty sure kit cars are allowed in the USA.



















But just incase you don't beleive me! http://www.uscaterham.com/

[rcvaughan]

I am quite familiar with the California caterham club! Thought the limitation was that only complete cars could be sold there and not the kits???

[fraser]

Unsure if they are built by an approved Caterham garage. The site mentions shipping the kit

Here's the Westfield version though http://home.comcast....ar/registry.htm

[rcvaughan]

Cool, at least I know that, if I can't get my VX out there, I can still have some lightweight fun! Perhaps I'll just take the engine out there and chuck it in a caterham! 360 BHP harrop 2.2 caterham sounds appealing!

[Nicane]

Got a response by the DOT:

A motor vehicle that is less than 25 years old, was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and was not so certified by its original manufacturer in the form of a label permanently affixed to the vehicle, cannot be lawfully imported into the United States on a permanent basis unless it is determined eligible for importation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency makes these decisions on the basis of a petition from a registered importer (RI). These are business entities that are specifically approved by NHTSA to import nonconforming vehicles and to perform the necessary modifications on those vehicles so that they conform to all applicable FMVSS. The petitions must specify that the vehicle is substantially similar to a vehicle that was certified by its original manufacturer as conforming to all applicable FMVSS and is capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards, or, if there is no substantially similar U.S.-certified vehicle, that the vehicle has safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, the FMVSS based on destructive test information or other evidence the agency deems adequate.

An additional requirement for the lawful importation of a nonconforming vehicle is that it be imported by an RI or by an individual who has contracted with an RI to bring the vehicle into conformity with all applicable FMVSS. A bond in an amount equivalent to 150 percent of the declared value of the vehicle must be given at the time of importation to ensure that the necessary modifications are completed within 120 days of entry. The RI must certify to us that the vehicle conforms to all applicable FMVSS in effect on its date of manufacture before the vehicle could be released to be licensed or registered for on-road use. One of the reasons that a registered importer is required to import and modify a vehicle that was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS is because the registered importer stands in the stead of the vehicle's original manufacturer to provide the vehicle's owner with notification and remedy in the event that the vehicle is determined to contain a safety-related defect or a noncompliance with an applicable safety standard. Because the original manufacturer would not be responsible for the vehicle being in the United States, it would have no legal obligation to perform this important safety responsibility. A list of registered importers and currently eligible motor vehicles can be found on our web site at:

http://www.nhtsa.dot...s/rules/import/
As previously indicated, an import eligibility decision can be based on the substantial similarity of a non-U.S. certified vehicle to a vehicle manufactured for importation and sale in the United States, and so certified by its original manufacturer. If the vehicle you are seeking to import is a RHD, even if there were a U.S.-certified left-hand version of that vehicle, it might not be considered "substantially similar" for import eligibility purposes. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of RHD vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, NHTSA will consider the vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises the agency in writing, on the manufacturer’s letterhead (and not that of an authorized dealership or other such entity affiliated with the manufacturer) that the RHD vehicle would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in crash tests. Absent such evidence, the petitioning RI would have to demonstrate that the vehicle, when modified, would comply.

You might want to contact one or more of the listed RIs to obtain their opinion on the feasibility of conforming the vehicle you are seeking to import to the FMVSS, petitioning the agency to determine that the vehicle is eligible for importation, and the costs involved in conforming the vehicle.

Absent receipt of a petition to determine a vehicle eligible for importation, we would have no information on the specific modifications that would have to be made to a vehicle to bring it into compliance with all applicable standards. The only party that would be in possession of that information is the vehicle's original manufacturer.

In addition, the following links to information about requirements for the importation of motor vehicles, which are regulated by other agencies of the Federal government, may be of assistance to you:

U.S. CUSTOMS

http://www.cbp.gov/I...portingacar.doc
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

EPA Imports Hotline at 734-214-4100

http://www.epa.gov/o...ts/factmtop.htm
I hope this information is helpful.

Kristi Bragdon
Infologics Corporation
on assignment with NHTSA

-------------------------------------------------

Contacted a couple RI in my area, awaiting response. How many people who tell me it's impossible have actually tried to go this far?

[Muncher]

No one, because people have read into it and realised it can't be done or isn't economical to do. "If the vehicle you are seeking to import is a RHD, even if there were a U.S.-certified left-hand version of that vehicle, it might not be considered "substantially similar" for import eligibility purposes. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of RHD vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, NHTSA will consider the vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises the agency in writing, on the manufacturer’s letterhead (and not that of an authorized dealership or other such entity affiliated with the manufacturer) that the RHD vehicle would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in crash tests." So you need a letter, from Vauxhall stating that a RHD VX220 would perform as well as the US certified LHD VX220 in crash tests. Slight problem being the VX220 has never undergone any US crash tests!

[JohnTurbo]

Haha. You should look over on my skyline forum. After the fast and the furious there a massive amount of American's with hard-ons for skylines, and consequently the same issue. For a kickoff forget trying to do it totally by the book, you have more red tape than i care to think about. You have three main options:- 1) Move to the state of Florida. Its much easier there. 2) Have the bodyshell remanufactured here to american standards, have it fitted with a VIN plate that complies with us regulations, and then fit a 2.2 engine from a USDM car when it arrives. You can legally import a car body....call it a loophole. The model would NEVER be Vauxhall/Opel/GM on the documents though. - It would be the company here who remade the body for you! 3) Hide one in a container, bribe a customs official, hire an expert of sneaking cars into the country, and forever risk the car being taken from you and crushed.

[JohnTurbo]

http://www.skylineow...ead.php?t=74784

Some light reading for you.

You can ingore the Motrex stuff...but the grey import stuff should be of use. Take not of the locations of the majority of the American owners posting!

[rsg]

Ship one to Mexico. Dismantle. Smuggle across the border piece by piece. Reassemble.

[Nicane]

No one, because people have read into it and realised it can't be done or isn't economical to do.

"If the vehicle you are seeking to import is a RHD, even if there were a U.S.-certified left-hand version of that vehicle, it might not be considered "substantially similar" for import eligibility purposes. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of RHD vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, NHTSA will consider the vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises the agency in writing, on the manufacturer’s letterhead (and not that of an authorized dealership or other such entity affiliated with the manufacturer) that the RHD vehicle would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in crash tests."


So you need a letter, from Vauxhall stating that a RHD VX220 would perform as well as the US certified LHD VX220 in crash tests. Slight problem being the VX220 has never undergone any US crash tests!

"Absent such evidence, the petitioning RI would have to demonstrate that the vehicle, when modified, would comply."

If I can get the RI to prove that it's safe enough, perhaps with evidence of UK crash tests being sufficient, they can allow it to happen. I'm trying anyway. I know it's a long shot, but I want to try.

[Mangham54]

No one, because people have read into it and realised it can't be done or isn't economical to do.

"If the vehicle you are seeking to import is a RHD, even if there were a U.S.-certified left-hand version of that vehicle, it might not be considered "substantially similar" for import eligibility purposes. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of RHD vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, NHTSA will consider the vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises the agency in writing, on the manufacturer’s letterhead (and not that of an authorized dealership or other such entity affiliated with the manufacturer) that the RHD vehicle would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in crash tests."


So you need a letter, from Vauxhall stating that a RHD VX220 would perform as well as the US certified LHD VX220 in crash tests. Slight problem being the VX220 has never undergone any US crash tests!

"Absent such evidence, the petitioning RI would have to demonstrate that the vehicle, when modified, would comply."

If I can get the RI to prove that it's safe enough, perhaps with evidence of UK crash tests being sufficient, they can allow it to happen. I'm trying anyway. I know it's a long shot, but I want to try.

Were there crash test done on the VX220 and are they available? There is no data seemingly available through NCAP! Isn't there a clause in crash testing for low-volume production vehicles? and would the VX220 have broken this threshold?

[Nicane]

Not completely sure. I'm contacting Vauxhall and Opel about all of this. I'm sure they have data. Hopefully they will share. Keep updating as information comes through.

[techieboy]

Good luck with Vauxhall. They've been denying any knowledge of the car for years now.

[Nicane]

Good luck with Vauxhall. They've been denying any knowledge of the car for years now.

Hahaha, that sounds horrible. They gave me a number to one of the Company officials, so ehh. We'll see where it gets. But thanks, I think they'll tell me.