Alfa import exemption/Dick Merritt's email

wow that is a VERY beautiful car. I can see why you like it.
Don't they have a "show or exhibit" thing where you can bring it in & limit driving to 1000-1500 miles a year?

 

It's called a "show or display" exemption, but (a) it doesn't appear that easy to get and (b) it only allows you to drive 2,500 miles per year. In approving an application for such an exemption, NHTSA looks to: (1) whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year was manufactured and certified for sale in the United States; (2) whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year has been determined eligible for importation pursuant to 49 CFR Part 593; (3) whether the vehicle is currently in production, (4) whether more than 500 of the vehicles were produced and (5) whether the vehicle is a kit car, replica, or special construction vehicle. If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," than "you should not expect NHTSA to grant permission for importation." The biggest issues with regard to the ALfa are that it will be in production at the time you seek to import it and I expect production will top 500 by quite a bit. My sense is that the exemption is really for historically important cars that were manufactured after 1967 (or whenever the epa laws took effect), not so much cars that are in current production. (For intance, the application requires a narrative explanation of the historical and technical significance of the car.) This doesn't mean, though, that you couldn't import it and have it converted for US road use, although such an effort would be expensive since it would presumably be the first or one of the first to be converted. Here are the links to the relevant applications:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/ApplShowDisplay.pdf

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/determineelig.pdf

Here's the link to the applicable Federal Register Notice:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/ShowDisplay.pdf

It appears that Mclaren F1's and Mercedes CLK-GTR's have been successfully brought in under the program, but things like the Lotus 340R Elise S1's have been rejected.

Hope this isn't too long an explanation, but it's an interesting topic. Cheers, Jon (If I have time, I'll try to find a completed application to see how cumbersome it is - I can e-mail it to you directly.)

 

Russ, you better make it to "CiaoBaby's" BBQ on Monday...hell it's even in VA, so you can't use the MD excuse anymore!



LS

 

On Amerispec, i think they are definitely still in business.

 

Also, Russ, is that your AT-6 in your avatar? That would be a nice toy to go along with the Mondial. Cheers, Jon

 

You were probably flying over my mother's house. I hope you waved.

 

snj5,

Di d you ever get in contact with Dick M? what was his take on your chances? Curious.

Page (muma)

new Fchat member..

 

its dick fritz and yes he is still in the business

 

I've got Dick Merritt's contact info. PM me if you're interested.

He's a real cool and a genuine car enthusiast. Let's hope he doesn't retire like he's been threatening to do.

LS