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Dick Merritt

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by alberto, Oct 18, 2004.

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  1. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

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    #1 alberto, Oct 18, 2004
    In most of their reviews, Forza magazine refers the reader to Dick Merritt for information about gray market cars or cars imported from Europe. I am wondering if anyone has spoken to him about a car and what your experience was.

    What I am really after is more information on the history of the car (when it was imported, from where, to what state, etc.) I purchased a 1967 that has been in the US since at least 1988, but was imported from Europe at some point between 1969 and 1988. The historical work I have done has a huge gap between this time period.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Higgins23

    Higgins23 Karting

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    #2 Higgins23, Oct 19, 2004
    Alberto, Suggest you also check with the Ferrari Market Letter. They have extensive history files. Cheers
     
  3. PWehmer

    PWehmer Formula 3

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    #3 PWehmer, Oct 19, 2004
    What model car is it? Perhaps there is someone maintaining a registry for that model.
     
  4. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 dm_n_stuff, Oct 19, 2004
    Dick Merritt, 302-366-5300
    - Certification Compliance
    of Canadian Imports
    - Show or Display Exemption
    - Temporary Importation of Race Vehicles

    Works for the Federal Department of Transportation. Ferrari author, too, I think.

    Don't know if he's the guy you want. I think he can tell you if your gray market car was federalized, not sure about the rest. Supposed to be a very good, knowledgeable guy.
     
  5. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

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    #5 alberto, Oct 19, 2004
    The car is a Lamborghini, so the Ferrari Market Letter would not have any information on the car (unfortunately there is no equivalent to FML in Lambo circles). I have history on the car from 1967 to 1969 and from 1988 to 2004. Turns out I have uncovered more history than is in the Lamborghini registries. I am trying to fill in the gap from 1969 to 1988 and thought the DOT may have some information on when it was imported, etc. Someone I know is going to the Lamborghini factory this week to do research on other cars and I piggy back on that effort and he is going to find out what the factory might have on the car.

    Thanks for the contact information, it saves me the trouble of digging it out.
     
  6. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

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    #6 SMS, Oct 20, 2004
    I have spoken to Dick via phone about a couple Ferraris and a Lambo over the years.
    Have the vin # ready for the car you are researching. He was so informative, helpful, etc... It's hard to believe someone of his caliber still exists in public service.

    He will be able to tell you when your car was made compliant and the info you are searcing for, possibly who the importer was and who did the compliance work.

    Also might discuss the relationship btwn EPA and DOT with respect to the certifications.

    He really helped me out before I bought a 79 LP400s.

    Bill 616-893-1984
     
  7. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #7 parkerfe, Oct 20, 2004
    I have spoken with Dick Merritt on several occasions over the years regarding Ferraris I have been looking at including my current Boxer. He is a gentleman, a Ferrari expert and always willing to help. On my Boxer, he faxed me copies of the DOT compliance letter and referred me to a lady at EPA that then faxed me a copy of the EPA compliance letter so I could be sure that my Boxer was legal before I bought/traded for it. I suggest you do that on any gray-market car you are considering as there are a lot of fake DOT and EPA letters out there.
     
  8. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

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    #8 M.James, Oct 20, 2004
    Dick Merritt isn't just a Ferrari Expert - he's one of the last living FOUNDERS of the FERRARI CLUB OF AMERICA!

    Mr. Merritt's exploits with the club, and his vast knowledge as a Ferrari Concourse Judge and one of the Marque's main importers in the 50s and 60s earned him a several-page article in FORZA magazine a few years back. I'd put him up there with Luigi Chinetti Sr. as far as stature. His advice and knowledge on vintage cars, as I understand, is quite vast.
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 BigTex, Oct 20, 2004
    Totally agree...........
     
  10. Gerald Roush

    Gerald Roush Karting
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    #10 Gerald Roush, Oct 20, 2004
    Actually, if the Lamborghini in question is really a 1967 then it is NOT a gray market car. Therefore Mr. Richard F. Merritt and/or the EPA and DOT bureaucrats will have no records on the car.
     
  11. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 134282, Oct 20, 2004
    Hey, look who's here...! :)
     
  12. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

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    #12 alberto, Oct 21, 2004
    Gerald:

    It is a 67 Lamborghini Miura. The car was delivered to Switzerland in 1967 and imported to the US some time between 1969 and 1988. The speedometer has been changed from kph to mph and I presumed that meant it went through DOT. Can you explain a little more on your comment that because it is a 67 it did not have to go through DOT?

    Thanks for your insights.
     
  13. Higgins23

    Higgins23 Karting

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    #13 Higgins23, Oct 21, 2004
    =============================
    Do you have a phone number for Dick ? Thanks.
     
  14. Simon

    Simon Moderator
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    #14 Simon, Oct 21, 2004
    If you want to PM me any names or other infromation about the Swiss owners I can try and track them down for you. They may have some information about where it went after they sold it in '69.

    Cheers
    Simon

     
  15. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 dm_n_stuff, Oct 21, 2004

    Dick Merritt, 302-366-5300
    - Certification Compliance
    of Canadian Imports
    - Show or Display Exemption
    - Temporary Importation of Race Vehicles
     
  16. Gerald Roush

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    #16 Gerald Roush, Oct 21, 2004
    The vehicle emission regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the safety regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) went into effect as of 01 January 1968.

    Vehicles manufactured prior to 01 January 1968 were not required to meet those standards.

    In the automotive world the term "gray market" applies to those cars built after 01 January 1968 which, as manufactured, did not meet the applicable EPA and DOT regulations and therefore were not legal in the United States. In order to be imported, titled & licensed in the United States these cars had to be modified to meet the applicable EPA and DOT regulations.

    Since there were no EPA and DOT regulations prior to 01 January 1968 all vehicles manufactured prior to that date could be legally imported into the United States without having to be modified.
     
  17. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 Texas Forever, Oct 21, 2004
    Great to hear from you Gerald. But you should know that posting facts on the Internet simply isn't done. What you are supposed to do is to post the first thought that comes into your mind regardless of how imparied your mental condition might be or how little you actually know about the subject at hand.

    (Just kidding.)

    Dale
     
  18. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

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    #18 alberto, Oct 21, 2004
    Simon:
    Thanks for the offer. I have contacted the original owner and we have exchanged a couple of letters. He traded the car back to dealer Monteverdi (who sold him the car) in 1969 for a Ferrari Berlinetta, and does not know what happened to the car thereafter. I exchanged faxes with Peter Berger of Monteverdi (Mr. Monteverdi is now deceased), wherein he indicated that he had no information on my Miura. I have thus hit a dead end as far as who to contact further in Switzerland for information. If you know of another way to get information about the cars dealt with by Monteverdi, let me know.

    Gerald:
    Thanks for the clarification. I guess that means that the person that imported the car changed the speedometer for his own preference, not because of a DOT requirement.
     
  19. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

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    #19 alberto, Oct 21, 2004
    By the way, the phone number posted for Dick Merritt is in error.
     
  20. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

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    #20 alberto, Oct 21, 2004
    Dick Merritt's number (at least according to Forza magazine) is 202 366 5300
     
  21. Gerald Roush

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    #21 Gerald Roush, Oct 21, 2004
    The correct phone number for my old friend Richard F. Merritt at the USDOT-NHTSA-OVSC is:

    202-366-5300

    His fax number is 202-493-2266

    If you talk to him tell him I said hello.
     
  22. Higgins23

    Higgins23 Karting

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    #22 Higgins23, Oct 21, 2004
    Gerald, Thanks and I will certainly pass on your regards.
     
  23. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

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    #23 alberto, Oct 21, 2004
    I exchanged voice mails with Dick Merrit. He confirmed what Gerald already had indicated was the case, (that the car was too old to be subject to DOT/EPA regulation) so unfortunately he had no information on my Miura (Darn it!!).

    Thanks to all for your input.
     
  24. Higgins23

    Higgins23 Karting

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    #24 Higgins23, Oct 25, 2004
    I talked to Dick Merritt last week. He was extremely helpful and a fountain of knowledge. Terrific gentleman.
     
  25. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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    #25 judge4re, Oct 25, 2004
    If you really want to have fun, call Dick up and tell him you're thinking about importing some Lamborghini because you read on the internet that they are better than Ferraris.

    Then be prepared to hear a civil servant swear for about 30 minutes. Best use of tax dollars I've found in a while.

    Tell Dick I said hi.
     
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