Claudio is in the news | FerrariChat

Claudio is in the news

Discussion in 'California (Southern)' started by Sideways, Dec 7, 2009.

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  1. Sideways

    Sideways Karting

    Dec 7, 2004
    122
    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579684,00.html?test=latestnews

    SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. — Federal agents have seized a rare Italian sports car they believe was illegally imported by a California man and his co-conspirators.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials alleged Monday that automotive engineer Claudio Zampolli, the creator of the 1994 Cizeta, brought it into the country in 2001 for maintenance and repairs. It is one of fewer than a dozen produced and sold for about $600,000. It was supposed to be exported within a year.

    The government said the vehicle's stay in the country violates customs rules. They said it is illegal to sell the car because it does not meet U.S. environmental and safety standards.

    A call to Zampolli's attorney was not immediately returned.
     
  2. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    8 years later and they're just getting around to this now? Sounds like someone ratted him out. That'd cost a few bucks to get sorted out. Good luck with it Claudio.
     
  3. cicatrix

    cicatrix Karting

    Sep 9, 2005
    231
    USA 1
    I don't get what the problem is. Just tell the feds it is an art deco cheese grater, and they will leave you alone.
     
  4. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ
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    Nov 11, 2003
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    Anthony T
    Lame that they would do that to him, but nothing surprises me anymore. Good luck is right to Claudio.
     
  5. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 14, 2003
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    Broke state grasping at straws!

    SAVE THE TESTIABLOTUS!
     
  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 11, 2008
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    Vegas baby
    Did anyone else notice that it doesn't even have US plates? It's not even registered for running on the roads. It's a museum piece for god's sake. What's the big deal? It's some kind of gross poluter to California?
     
  7. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
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    #8 miketuason, Dec 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    May not have US plate but it sure has CA Dealers plate. I agree, about being a museum piece and should be legal to be driven to and from a car show. Here's a couple of pics from the "Best of France and Italy Car Show" last Nov. 1st. It sure is one heck of an art.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  8. ag512bbi

    ag512bbi F1 Veteran
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    Nov 8, 2003
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    Armen
    I would definitely ask to get that dealer plate picture taken off F-chat. All your doing is adding fuel to the fire. Trust me, the FED's will find it. That exactly what they want to see.
     
  9. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 10, 2002
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    socal
    Hold on to your wallets folks the feds/cali is knocking on your door next. They may not get you for an imported car but they will get you for some nickels and dimes to redistribute your wealth to those who don't want to work.
     
  10. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2005
    3,173
    Beverly Hills, CA
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    Jay
    So what happens now with the car? Obviously the state now has it- and rightfully so.... Claudio has a business and is trying to bring in more customers so he can make more money, help others and pay his taxes, so why shouldn't the state steal from him? Do you think the car will be auctioned? Or even worse crushed? I remember hearing something around the time of the release of the EB110 and the Porsche 959, that if you were driving them they would be crushed. I wonder what will happen
     
  11. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Anyone with anything is a target, I mean, someone's gotta pay Bechtel to build that meaningless railroad from Victorville to Vegas!
     
  12. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    They may cut him some slack and make him send it back. If he can't do that then they'd probably dispose of it. I'm sure some wealthy European could help him out if it becomes too troublesome for him?
     
  13. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    Sep 1, 2003
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    I have to agree, someone ratted him out, or he just pissed off the wrong people.
     
  14. Truckshoppe

    Truckshoppe Rookie

    Aug 23, 2006
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    West Sacramento,Ca
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    Todd Lindenmuth
    Look it cost the tax payers AKA" We the people: more money to pay these ICE detectives than there worth. They say the car is not safe and its putting tons of smog in the air as it sits in the showroom. LOL! Ive done some adding and a Toyota Prius puts out 10,000 times more smog each year in the Calif air than any Supercar because we do not drive them everyday! Also why were there so many News reporters there I think this guy at ICE is just trying to make a name for himself.
     
  15. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    #16 SrfCity, Dec 9, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2009
    "Make no mistake, the illegal importation of gray market vehicles like this is not just a technical violation," stated Miguel Unzueta, special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Los Angeles. "Cars that don't meet U.S. standards are outlawed for a reason. These vehicles can pose a real threat to public health and safety."

    http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/city-news/700k-******mobile-seized-by-us/

    Sounds like the Feds were doing a little grand standing. "real threat to public health and safety" Paaaleeeze. Your tax money working hard for you ;)
     
  16. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    There are many ways he could have declared the car when he imported it and that is one. Had he chosen to do so it would not be a problem now but he chose to lie. He is now paying for that mistake.
     
  17. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Not really unusual for it to take that long to catch up on. The wheels of government turn exceedingly slow but they grind exceedingly fine.
     
  18. krasnavian

    krasnavian Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2003
    2,187
    Los Angeles/Paris
    Senseless on all counts.
     
  19. frank4cars

    frank4cars F1 Rookie

    Dec 9, 2004
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  20. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    While we're at it here's another Fed raid that demonstrates our police state. Not here but you get the drift.

    Federal agents raid Gibson guitar plant

    NASHVILLE — Federal agents on Tuesday raided a Gibson guitar manufacturing plant and seized guitars amid concerns about where the Nashville-based company obtains the fine woods that go into its instruments.

    http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/nov/17/federal-agents-raid-gibson-guitar-plant/
     

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