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That doesn't mean that they should not have been converted. It only shows that some may have sneaked in.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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Nope. There IS a legal way to import a car. There are rules to it, but they do not have to be converted. Someone posted the correct information once a while back.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Originally posted by SVTfrog:
Nope. There IS a legal way to import a car. There are rules to it, but they do not have to be converted. Someone posted the correct information once a while back.
Domestic equivalent. Only thing that might stop you is emission standards, and that can be fixed. If car is to be sold, it will likely have to meet crash standards too, but who's gonna do that??
Cars can also be brought in as-is for short durations and/or longer ones if not used on the road - like for shows or track racing.
Last edited by TourDeForce; 02/27/06 04:12 AM.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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I'm not going to worry about the EPA compliance, since that's simple (O2 sensors, cats, etc) compared to this safety stuff
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NHTSA FAQ - click on links on the left. Important for this discussion are Parts I, IV, V, and IX, and excludes Parts II, III, VI, VII, and VIII.
NHTSA FAQ Part IX: Appendix: Examples - example of importing a Skyline and Smart Four Two
Y'all wanna see the list of cars that can be imported legally WITH modification?
If it's not on the list, it is ILLEGAL to import the car...
Here's the list. Notice that Mondeo is not on the list... means the RI would have to petition the DOT to allow them to modify the vehicle to conform to FMVSS.
List of Registered Importers (RI) that can covert a non-US spec car to US specs.
Here's the rules for the DOT to accept the car as an import.
Originally posted by NHTSA:
Nonresidents of the U.S. (including U.S. citizens living abroad) may temporarily import nonconforming motor vehicles into the U.S. for personal use, for a period not to exceed one year. The vehicle must be registered in a country other than the U.S. at the time of entry, must not be sold while it is in the U.S., and must be exported when the year is up.
Foreign national dealio...
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Originally posted by NHTSA:
If the vehicle is less than 25 years old and was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, and/or was not so certified by its original manufacturer, it cannot be lawfully imported into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless NHTSA determines it eligible for importation.
Originally posted by NHTSA:
The agency makes those determinations on its own initiative or the basis of a petition from a registered importer. 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.
There's the "substantially similar" thing... Let's see... how much work would it be to put Contour bumpers/headlights/tailights/seatbelts/airbags/etc on a Mondeo? I bet an RI wouldn't even worry about petitioning a car that needs that much modification
Originally posted by NHTSA:
Only an RI may perform the necessary vehicle modifications and certify compliance of the vehicle to 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 from the vehicle's date of entry or the vehicle is exported from, or abandoned to, the U.S.
Maybe this is the loophole? Bring the car to the States, pay the 150% bond, skip out on the RI, and find a state that will issue a title to it... I'm sure the car would be siezed and possibly some fine/jailtime if caught (I know intentonally violating the EPA carries heavy fines... i.e. venting R12 into the atmosphere)
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Originally posted by NHTSA:
2. What Certifications are required on motor vehicles?
A certification label meeting the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567 that, among other things, identifies the vehicleâ??s manufacturer (i.e., the actual assembler of the vehicle), states the vehicleâ??s date of manufacture (month and year), and contains the following statement: â??This vehicle conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) in effect on the date of manufacture shown above.â?
If the car does not come with that sticker on it, it MUST be converted or you must get a letter from the manufacturer stating the car is conforming...
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Originally posted by NHTSA:
When a vehicle is imported for purposes of show or display, it cannot be driven in excess of 2,500 miles per year.
List of cars that can/cannot be imported for SHOW/DISPLAY only
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You may ask about importing for racing only:
Originally posted by NHTSA:
If the vehicle was not originally manufactured as a racing vehicle, it can only be imported on a temporary basis under Box 7 on the HS-7 Declaration form. A NHTSA permission letter is necessary to import a vehicle on this basis. NHTSA grants permission in annual increments for up to 3 years if duty is not paid on the vehicle, or for up to 5 years if duty is paid. If the vehicle was originally manufactured for on-road use, it would have to be in full race configuration at the time of importation, and lack equipment and features needed for on-road use.
That won't work as a loophole...
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Read this, has some knowledgeable stuff... including that it costs $15,000 to convert a Skyline.
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This RI has a cost example listed:
Sunshine Car Import
Originally posted by SCI:
To convert a Mercedes Benz S-Class (Type 140) Year 1992 to 1995, the complete conversion rate would be $6000
Why in the hell would you import a Mondeo at a cost like that? If I was converting a car, it would have to be something REALLY special...
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From an RI's site:
HERE IS THE ONLY WAY HOW TO IMPORT A VEHICLE
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Notice that I've been doing my homework on this...
I didn't just assume that since I saw a crappy Mk1 Mondeo with Texas plates and a Euro Escort GTi Convertible (with German plates) at Sheppard AFB, Texas that you can permanently import a car w/o converting it...
EDIT:
Clarifying that a bit, not every car can be brought to the states... It's only certain years/trims that have been petitioned via an RI and approved by the NHTSA.
The only "blanket" on importing cars is most Canadian-spec cars since 2002 since they already meet applicable FMVSS. For all other specs, it MUST be imported and coverted by an RI that's certified on that specific car's year and trim level. It's pretty complicated if you can't tell.
:EDIT
Take the time to read this, I've been working on this for at least an hour... quote something and I'll try to explain better.
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Now getting back to the AWD Contour...
Originally posted by NHTSA:
A disassembled vehicle that is shipped without an engine and transmission is treated for importation purposes not as a motor vehicle, but instead as an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment items. Such an assemblage can lawfully be imported into the U.S., provided any equipment included in the assemblage that is subject to FMVSS, but was not originally manufactured to comply with that FMVSS or was not so certified by its original manufacturer, is removed from the assemblage prior to entry into the U.S. Equipment items that are subject to the FMVSS include tires, rims, brake hoses, brake fluid, seat belt assemblies, glazing materials, and lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
If the assemblage is shipped with an engine and power train (even if those components are not installed), it would be regarded for importation purposes as a motor vehicle, and would have to be either manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, and be so certified by its original manufacturer, in the form of a label permanently affixed to the vehicle, or be determined eligible for importation by NHTSA and be imported by an RI or by a person who has a contract with an RI to bring the vehicle into compliance with all applicable FMVSS after importation.
This states that a parts car with the parts that would be needed would cause the car to be considered a complete car, and would need to be modified.
Last edited by Big Daddy Kane; 03/02/06 12:30 AM.
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Believe me or not. If you're actually looking into importing a car, you may want to try to research what I'm telling you. Doesn't matter to me.
The guy that imported the mondeo sn on here was MondeoST_USA
I know he didn't do any crazy modifications to import it, and I'm 99% sure it's legal. Now, it may have something to do with him being from England. Maybe some sorta law that he has to take it back after 10 years or something, I don't know.
Also, as I said, someone posted about other LEGAL ways to import a car without doing anything TOO crazy. Maybe post in CI and see if someone can help. Or not.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Originally posted by MapOfTaziFoShoâ??¢:
Anyone notice the mondeo 4x4 rear hubs...
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Those look like they are a direct bolt up.
We already know that the rear subframe can accomodate different hardware, or can be redesigned/swapped. Perhaps just the hubs and subframe need to be imported and installed, transfer case for the mtx-75 obtained, and exhaust re-routed.
Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760
356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas!
See My Mods
'05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red
'06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black
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-'96 SE MTX 3L
-'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535
-'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride
-Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me
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Originally posted by todras:
What about the gas tank?
get rid of the spare tire and move the gas tank up a bit?
PLEASE HELP ME GET MY CAR TOGETHER! ITS IN DAYTON OHIO! I need the motor together and in the car so i can DRIVE it! Pleeeeeese!
diamond pistons for 3.0/forsale
#702 of 2150
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Originally posted by warmonger:
Those look like they are a direct bolt up.
We already know that the rear subframe can accomodate different hardware, or can be redesigned/swapped. Perhaps just the hubs and subframe need to be imported and installed, transfer case for the mtx-75 obtained, and exhaust re-routed.
Exactly what I was thinking! 
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