Import 1982 911SC into the US?

greenhma · 06-24-2007, 10:53 PM

Hi,

I'm considering importing a 1982 911SC into the US. Work will pay shipping cost, anything else is my responsibility.

Since the car is 25 years old, I shouldn't have to worry about the standard EPA, NHTSA, DOT import issues.

Anything else I should be aware of...

Serviceability? Parts?

Kind Regards,
Mark Greenhalgh

aigel · aigel's Garage

Where are you moving to? If you move to California, or any other state with strict smog checks, it will take a lot of work to get it smog legal. It may be easier to leave the SC behind and get another 911 instead. I don't know if you checked, but I guarantee that you can get more car for the money here than in Europe. The euro cars tend to be run hard and may have serious corrosion problems.

George

greenhma · 06-25-2007, 12:45 AM

I'm moving to Connecticut (from Switzerland), the car is in great shape and runs well.

Just checked the CT emissions site, since the car is over 25, it's exempt. Thanks for pointing that out!

Mark

Paulporsche · 06-25-2007, 06:31 AM

As far as serviceability and parts go, just one look through this website should be enough to convince you to do it!

DARISC · 06-25-2007, 06:56 AM

There were other mods that were required by the feds besides amog stuff, one of which was the installation of steel reinforcement in the doors (side impact strengthening). Will not having that done present a problem getting the car federalized today?

aigel · aigel's Garage

That's good news, if the car is smog exempt in your destination state. Sorry, I can't be of any more help besides pointing out the smog issue to you ...

George

euro911sc · euro911sc's Garage

You should be clear. The only issue comes when you go to register it. I was in MA at the time and had to go to the police station and have an officer verify the VIN as the DMV system will reject all non-us VINs (at least in MA). I did not have an A pillar VIN tag either and had to use the chassis VIN stamp in the luggage space just behind the fuel tank.

Once done, all set!

I did not have this issue in FL or NY... so CT may be easier.

-Michael

Deschodt · 06-25-2007, 12:37 PM

It is such a PITA to import a car... I'd sell the European car in europe for $$$ Euros, buy a cheap SC in the states with your 30% bonus (euro vs $), and ship that one back to Europe, if anything ;-)

tcar · 06-25-2007, 12:59 PM

You going to stay in Connecticut? Many states, it's 30 years, not 25.

I'd sell there and buy here.

ROWSC · 06-26-2007, 03:04 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. My car was imported from Germany and was Federalized. I'm sure it was a PITA back in the day, but you should be fine today. I actually like the subtle details that differentiate the R.o.W. cars from the US cars. I had an exemption from the visual inspection (the 79 R.o.W. didn't have a cat), but still had to get the sniff test until it reached 25. It was a pain only because the CIS could be adjusted to pass emissions or for best performance. One of one and 364 of the other.