Interesting 550 on BaT

I don’t see where is says it was federalized.

There’s no information on how it was imported.

And a state title or registration doesn’t require federalization, although a paper trail has to start somewhere.

Matt

 

looks to be a euro car

under 25 years old so you need to write a big check to amerispec or some other place

 

Unless it was snuck in one way or the other.

Again, it never said it was federalized.

Matt

 

too lazy to search but there is a thread somewhere.

the govt keeps track and docs for all these cars

there is a guy you can call at some agency

hint: i think hes on vaca

 

Not if the federal government never sees it.

Once it's here and you have a bill of sale, you can get a title. Big auction houses do it all the time.

Matt

 

not sure what your getting at...

it was either imported legally or it wasnt

if it was done legally there is a record

if not prepare to have some fun if you buy it

 

I also have a Euro 550 brought into the US in 2000. I am searching on who I can call to get more information about the conversion.

 

Matt- You cannot register a non-US spec car in any state. They all have a data base of US compliant VINs. Not on the list, no can register.

 

My understanding is that any car that comes in legally (i.e. not smuggled) through a U.S. port of entry is going to be "in the system." If some peoples' experiences with non-converted Land-Rovers a few years ago is any indication, I wouldn't touch a car that isn't fully documented. Seems the Feds are crusher-happy. I don't know if there's any sort of statute of limitations. I'm talking about cars less than 25 years old at the date of importation, of course.

 

I don't know of any reputable auction houses that would represent a non-conforming car without explicitly describing it as such. There's too much potential liability.

 

Guys,

I titled a 2006 Ariel Atom in Pennsylvania that had no Federal papers, and a properly imported (and duty paid) Pur Sang Bugatti. I’ve also seen non federal cars get state registry. The states don’t listen to the feds. Check out the 10th amendment.

Bonhams did great title work for me on another car. They all do.

Matt

 

What exactly is this System? Where would a state find cars registered there? How about the local AAA? Where would they find cars in this system?

Matt

 

When a vehicle enters the country through US customs it is logged in the federal system as having entered the country. I don't know if customs transmits this information to DOT, EPA, or other alphabet agency, but it's not information you really want them to have if you don't intend to federalize the vehicle. If you think you can bring a vehicle into the country for the first time without getting their attention, be my guest.

 

Don’t get me wrong, Jack. I agree with you. I wouldn’t want to run afoul of the Federal laws at all.

But there simply is no federal system that records VINs that states can check against. All VIN checks are against state records, not federal ones.

Matt

 

What if you just drove across the border from canada mex as a tourist? Do they record the vin? That would be a “legal entry.”

 

I had a RoW (Rest of World-spec) '96 Porsche 993 Carrera about 10 years ago and registered it in my state (Nebraska) with no issues (the VIN on RoW 911s starts with WPOZZ vs WPOAA for USA-spec cars). The car originated in Canada and had a sticker on the door jamb indicating that it had been federalized, and the paperwork that came with it included EPA and DOT releases. When I first registered that car with my state DOT they did not ask to see any proof of federalization. Owned it for about 4 years, sold it back to the local dealer I'd bought it from, who subsequently sold it to a buyer in TX or OK.

 

There seems to be confusion/misconception about "the 25 year rule" a lot here in Fchat. Please read the C.F.R. and other related federal rules/regulations.

I will not do the homework for you.

 

Have imported two gray market Ferraris, so very familiar with the rules.

 

not seeing any confusion in this thread...

there are only 4 ways to LEGALLY bring a car in

1) over 25 yrs
2) substantially similar clause
3) write a big check to amerispec or another shop
4) show/display

#1 and #2 are out. only the CAD (and some others govts) pass for #2 and this looks to be a euro

#4 not on the list

maybe 3 ?

but please educate us

 

An alternate legal way is to bring the chassis in separately from the engine and transmission and pay 2.5% tariff on all of it.

That's how cars like Superformance and Backdraft Racing cobra replicas get here without passing EPA and DOT.
http://www.backdraftracing.com/

But then the car is not Federalized. It is titled and registered in a US state.

If, for example, I bought a Backdraft it would be from Naples Motorsports, and Florida makes it very easy to register and title any vehicle. Golf carts, side-by-side ATVs, boats and jet skis are all treated the same. None are Federalized; all can be titled and sold into any other state.

The only opportunity that the Feds can intercept a car that is not EPA or DOT compliant is when it's imported. Once it's here they have no way of finding out.

So to answer scowman's post #16, that's completely possible. Any car could be imported into Canada and driven across the border.

Matt

 

patently false

but i guess one could start bribing people as well for a #5 or $ 6.....

 

What? Why is that "patently" false?

When are all the Ariel Atoms, Superformance GT40s, Backdraft roadsters, and so on going to be nabbed?

I'm not saying they comply with Federal law; I'm saying that they'll fly under Federal radar forever.

Matt

 

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/news/a24506/us-govt-still-crushing-imported-cars/

https://jalopnik.com/watch-the-feds-crush-an-imported-nissan-skyline-1753280296

https://www.postandcourier.com/business/feds-seize-fast-furious-car-say-north-charleston-business-illegally/article_7a36ee46-3a5b-11e7-bacd-f34ca15bbbca.html

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/feds-crush-illegally-imported-car-to-send-message

https://www.motor1.com/news/135572/gray-market-illegal-import-list/

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15370884/exclusive-feds-declare-war-on-black-market-land-rover-defenders/

let me know if you want me to continue.....

 

those cars you cite are kit cars (?) which apparently have their own rules