Interesting 550 on BaT

That not a lot of data points.
#1 is unclear on how the Mini got caught
#2 got caught because it was in an accident, and the insurance claim revealed a non Fed VIN
#3 was seized, as I had said, upon importation
#4 was the exact same car as #1
#5 Defenders, as described in #1
#6 Also Defenders, not a specific case, as described in #1 and #5

Kit cars are not exempt from Federalization for EPA and DOT, or duty. Atoms, for example and with which I'm very familiar, are sold on a bill of sale, and it's up to the buyer to title the car. The Backdrafts are sold as cars, but as assembled from parts.

If you bring the engine and transmission in separately from the car, pay 2.5% import fee, and document it, you're not getting crushed.

So yes. If you get into an accident, the Feds will get you if you're caught in a "dragnet" if not properly imported. That's pretty far and few in between. The only real point to get caught is in importation.

Matt

 

Note that none of these examples are part of your imagined "federal system". They were caught at the boarder, or simply identified by not having a Federal VIN.

It's not like they matched VINs to some super database.

Matt

 

your the one that said the federalizes have no way of finding out.....

 

I'll take your word for it, Matt. Kind of like arguing over proving that something didn't happen...like the Enzo E-type quote. Hardly worth the brain damage.

 

any legally imported vehicle is in this imaginary system.

 

Does this car have a reserve ?


I just noticed the listing and I looked at the auction lot, from my cell phone.

o/t. Some guy in Texas had a red RoW 1991 Diablo in terrible condition he brought into the USA, by parts. This was around 20 years ago. He had to end up financially upside down based on the condition of the car. No idea what happened in the long run.

States are also doing a better job making it more difficult to run around with a temp paper plate. They learn real fast when it comes to their money they are leaving on the table. Another issue with a questionable car is insurance.

 

It's now considerably over-market for a car with headaches and an odometer issue.

Don't know if some helium is included with the current over-market bids. You can find a no stories car for around the bottom six figures if you are patient.

 

I thought it was waaaaaY over priced, at 75K.