Reply to "Sale Pantera Neuvo, 200, GTSi No. 16 of 38"

Kjell, nice to hear from you again. If you review my postings carefully you will see that I would love to, and in fact, am seriously looking into the importation of an SI. Here are the facts, not opinions or surmises. Some things are legal with US DOT,EPA,Customs. Some are not. For example, US Customs will review the car at the border for general import compliance, not DOT/EPA regulation, not the state of Montana. Montana is not responsible for enforcing DOT rules unless a deficiency is brought to their attention. Can you bring the car in without engine as a "roller", YES! But Federal law, DOT & EPA, which supercedes all State Law, Forbids a car on the road without compliance regardless if any State has issued a title. A State title does not exempt a car from Federal Standards. To lawfully import the SI you MUST get DOT approval or apply for racing only (in which case it must be a bona fide race car) or show and display with prior DOT approval. The DOT committee in the past has determined that DeTomaso's, all of them, have no automotive historical signifcance nor do they embody unusual or unique (compared to the rest of the automotive world) technological merit. However, members of the commitee change over time and anyone is free to make application for approval and could get lucky.

Next, you must pass EPA emissions tests at a certified lab with an ICI agreeing to do it ahead of time. Please let me know an ICI that says they WILL, not try, to do this. You must comply with both EPA and DOT or the car is illegal.

So, assuming you cannot find a registered importer to do the job and or an ICI to handle the emissions, it leaves directly importing the car (too chancy) as is or the roller method.

If this method is chosen and a State issues a title (which they will) and the car at some time comes under DOT inspection for some reason(which I agree is unlikely)you will have an illegal import in the DOT's eyes. They will seize it and you will have thirty days to bring it into compliance.

I have said all along that I believe this can be done, but no matter which way you go, it will be expensive and possibly involve some risk if the roller method is chosen.

The overiding point I am trying to make is that very carefull consideration of all the facts must be a part of this decision. You can't just decide to do it and "hope" it will work out. You had better know exactly the steps you will take and who the players will be.

[This message has been edited by phill1 (edited 10-10-2003).]