Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerkuld
Giving this some serious thought, either from the UK or Italy depending on where I get the best car/deal.
I'm looking at a pre '75, so no issues with FMVSS, DOT, EPA, CARB, etc.
Any advice, horror stories, pitfalls to avoid etc.?
Also, anyone have any good contacts in the S.F. Bay area for freight forwarding, shipping, customs, etc.
You guys have helped me with some huge unknowns in the past, so I'm counting on you again.
Thanks in advance.
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Word of caution as you, I believe, live in California.
Imported cars that were not made specifically to be sold in the U.S. have to meet higher, more expensive standards, if they are
MY 68 or newer. It does not matter if the car meets all the Fed requirements. Note below, from the DMV website:
1968 model year to 1974 model year vehicles: California does not recommend the purchase or importation of these years of NON-USA vehicles, even if currently registered in another state. These vehicles require compliance with USEPA requirements in effect on the specific date of 11/15/1972. This provision when written, was considered by the California legislature as a gradual phase-out of very dirty "non-collectable" types of imports, as this specific requirement was understood to become increasingly difficult to meet. Today, this requirement, while not impossible to meet, would require testing expenses and modifications that far exceed most vehicles value and would make little sense from a collectors standpoint to attempt. Some limited exemptions apply to individuals moving to California with vehicles of these years registered in their home state for at least a year before moving to California. Contact us for more information. (Emphasis, mine.)
Before you go ahead and make a purchase, I suggest you contact the DMV directly, inform them of the make, model, and year of a potential purchase, and have them explain the registering process. I have read threads on other forums in which an owner, in Ca., purchased a pre-75 import, got all the fed paperwork in order, submitted his paperwork for registration to Ca., only to receive, in the mail, a notice that he must send the car through the expensive testing and retro-fitting required by the state.
Forewarned is forearmed.