Converting an F50 to US legal Specs ?

Sheehan still has the articles you refer to on his site if I remember correct. They are under 2001 in the Articles section. The tests were the 'Coke Can' test and that was specifically for a importing a 'racing conversion' F50. They had to prove it was too costly to convert the vehicle back to a road going version & that once it was on it's correct tyres/wheels & settings that a can of coke couldn't get underneath.

Further back in his archive of sold cars there is a Euro Yellow F50 he purchased from a Brit & sold on in the States. Hope this helps.

SP

 

Hey Andrew-
Show or Display isn't going to work for an F50. Item #1 seems to disqualify it.

Taken from: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/howtosd072003.html

There may be some technicality available, as I believe that all the US Spec F50s were built in 1995, and so you may be able to import an F50 of a later model year, assuming those exist.

I'd suggest contacting one of the Registered Importers on this list to get better answers on your options:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/graymarket_RI_list06202005.html

>8^)
ER

 

A Ferrari salesman (FoCF) said that the entire dashboard would have to be changed out so the gauges would read in MPH instead of KMPH (he said the gauges couldn't be changed out by themselves). Side markers, rear 3rd brake light, front orange turn signals, DOT labeled head/tail lights, EPA emissions (OBDII for 1996 and up), and DOT tires have to be done iirc.

 

It's nearly impossible, even for a "track only" model. Search this site, there is thea story of a guy who dumped a few $100k to get one in for racing...

 

Ahh - yes - that would be another deal breaker. I believe that is the exact reason that all the US Spec F50s were 1995's - Ferrari didn't want to incur the costs of developing OBD-II for the F50. I'm sure the cost of converting an F50 to meet this EPA standard would be enormous, assuming you could get through the other points of red tape.

>8^)
ER

 

Ok so what about this one:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=135245045&postcount=1

Euro model in Florida?

 

It's a good question. I'd like to hear the real answer if anyone has it.

My guess is that he could be abusing the HS-7 form. There's a few provisions on it that allow foreign nationals to import cars on a temporary basis.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/hs799short.pdf

>8^)
ER

 

^The guy has a dealer license so maybe that has something to do with it. His 911 GT1, CLK GTR, XJ220, and F50 that I saw in person had dealer plates.

 

I've seen one that was in country for 1 year (I believe) imported by a foreign national a real ***** to convert if ya ask me.

 

thats quite a collection