Grey Market Documents

[aerochip]

What kind of documents would one want, or need, when buying a grey market car with a clear state issued title?

[faapgar]

It should not matter if there is a clean state issued title.

[SalParadise]

If the title has already been issued, chances are you would never need them unless they were or are important to you or some future buyer. If the car is more than 25 years old or if it's some conversion done in the '80s, unless it's done by a respectable house like AmeriSpec or Jonathan down in Baltimore, Maryland - many of these conversion houses no longer exist and no one knows that kind of work they did which is in the end - shoddy. The EPA I know keeps records of all VINS, but the grey market is not anywhere near the numbers as it was in the 1980s.

I wouldn't bother me much unless it was a newer car (which it probably isn't) and you have a title (since a single person at any DMV would ever know or even care).

If you state the year, make, and model it would help a lot. If it's some 911 or 928 that was converted in the 1980s, I wouldn't worry. The only thing I would worry about is if the work was ever done or if the work done was safe. Many conversion houses did a crap job, and I have seen many poor jobs.

[Matt Monson]

I wouldn't want or need any documentation of grey market. The dealers made a big deal out of it because it threatened them but they are just old Porsches. Got a title? Get a ppi and buy.

[mobius911]

Need? Nothing if there's a clean title.

Want? If it's a car from, say Germany, the original title stays with the car from owner to owner, and gets updated with the new owner's info (at least that was the case 30 years ago, not 100% sure now). That's certainly nice to have. The import paperwork can be nice to have as well when you go to sell the car. That could include the NHTSA report, transportation bills of lading, etc. Just nice stuff that gives a prospective owner a complete history of the car and how it got here.

[aerochip]

I appreciate the feedback. I am asking on my 1985 930. I bought it with a clean state title 5 years ago but didn't want to have any issue if I sell it (which I contemplate from time to time).

I actually did get the DOT to provide a letter that they released the import bond (June 16, 1986) and have asked the EPA to provide their paperwork as well. While probably not needed, these docs will add to the paperwork file and do prove that it was legally imported (and not black marketed).

[techweenie]

I've never seen one without a DOT tag on it, and that should be all the documentation you need.

[Arbee]

In California, 1976 and newer grey market vehicles require a BAR referee label to be legally smogged when coming in from another state and for the biennial smog certification in participating counties.

This is from the Ca. BAR smog test manual.

1.3.2 Emission Control System Labels
Underhood Emission Control Label: Each vehicle’s underhood emission control label serves as the primary source for emissions control requirements and to indicate the vehicle’s certification type (California, Federal). It is important to review emission control components on this label, since emission control system technology changes and varies between vehicle manufacturers. However, a missing or illegible emission control label does not constitute an inspection failure.
In cases where the emission control label is missing or illegible, the inspector may proceed with the inspection provided that the required emission controls can be determined using other sources as described in section 1.3.1. Note: Some diesel-powered vehicles are equipped with a second or additional emission control label affixed to the engine.
BAR Referee Label: When inspecting a kit car (SPCNS), a grey market vehicle, a vehicle with an engine change, or a vehicle with a fuel conversion change look for a BAR Referee Label. The BAR Referee Label serves as the primary emission control information source for these vehicles. If a BAR Referee Label is not present, inform the customer to contact the BAR Referee for inspection information. When equipped with a BAR Referee Label, these vehicles may be inspected and certified by a licensed Smog Check station. Inspectors must inspect the vehicle using the emission control requirements listed on the BAR Referee label.
BAR Referee Labels are typically affixed to the driver’s side door post or, in some cases, located under the hood. In some cases, the BAR Referee Label may provide special or additional instructions. An SPCN, gray market, or vehicle with an engine change without a BAR Referee Label must be inspected at the Referee.