Re: Importing to the U.S. anybody tried this?

[Jerry Ecklund <jre2100@domain.elided>]

I understand the usual method is very expensive and
probably not even possible without some examples
available for crash testing.  I'm curious how some
manage to get around these requirements.  I doubt that
crash testing was required for the importers of the
155, 166 and Fiat Punto Cabrio that are here in the
U.S.  If they had, the models would then be eligible
for importation, wouldn't they?  I'm starting to
wonder if perhaps these and other non-conformers
around the U.S. were brought in under diplomatic
status.  Maybe since they're already here they are
exempted when the dipomat decides to sell them.

Jerry Ecklund, San Francisco

-----------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2001 22:40:05 EST
From: DirectAutoGroup@domain.elided
Subject: Re: Importing an Alfa to the U.S. anybody
tried this?

Jerry,

It *_could_* be done, but at tremendous expense. 
Since these would be 
totally nonconforming cars....

Put it this way.  MotoRex in LA is charging $90,000+
for a new Skyline 
GTR.

That's a $40-45K or so car in Japan.  And I hear
they're only making 
$5-6,000 
per car net profit if that puts it into perspective...

You're talking an investment of roughly $2,000,000 to
do it right.

Bill Weismann
Who is working on Bringing LHD COmmodore SSs over.

> I'm curious to hear if any listers have attempted to
> import a modern Alfa or other "non-conforming" car
to
> the U.S.  I'm talking about models that have never
> been sold new here.  I see occasionally there are
cars
> that somehow get through the system.  One example is
> the Alfa 155 that's listed on Autotrader.com.
> 
> From what I've managed to find on the web the only
way
> to do this is to petition the secretary of
> transportation for some kind of waiver.  The NHTSA
> website also states you must obtain a bond for one
and
> one half of the vehicles value.
> 
> It sounds like quite a difficult and expensive
> procedure in addition to shipping, smog compliance,
> safety issues and labeling requirements.
> 
> Has anyone ever gone through this with any success?
> 
> Jerry Ecklund, San Francisco
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