Importing 25 year old vehicle

[haven]

25 years ago, in the early 1980s, some pretty sweet 4x4 utility vehicles were being manufactured. Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60, Mercedes Geländewagen, and Land Rover 110, to name a few.

I have a vague understanding of the rules that a USA citizen must follow to import an older vehicle from another country. Help me understand the current situation.

First, the 25 year rule. I think the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will allow importation of vehicles that don't meet safety standards if the manufacture date of the vehicle is more than 25 years ago.

Here's the link to the NHTSA web page that talks about this:
Federal motor vehicle safety standard
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...l#Anchor-28852

At this writing, that would mean a vehicle built in January 1984 or earlier would be eligible for importation without restriction -- right?

Second, the 21 year EPA emissions rules. The EPA grants an exemption to emissions control requirements for vehicles that are imported by an individual, and that were manufactured at least 21 years ago.

Here's the link:
http://www.epa.gov/OMS/imports/factmnb.htm#nonusversion

So a vehicle built in 1988 or earlier would be granted an exemption by the EPA -- right?

Third, state safety and emissions laws. California is the primary issue here. My understanding is that CA has its own ideas about registering old vehicles. Can anyone help me understand the situation in CA and other states?

Fourth, what country to import vehicles from. Japan and Germany have strict rules about the condition of a vehicle for highway use, so I'm assuming imports from these markets might be safer than some other countries. I don't know about Australia, but the dry climate there might help preserve the bodywork.

Where would you look for "mature" utility vehicles? Any recommendations of exporters in those countries?

Chip Haven

[Beowulf]

I am all for it. Bring 'em on. I drove a CJ that was over twenty years old and it was in fine shape. Why not a cool Overland 4x4.

Here is a thread discussing the issue.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=19074

[jfm_stl]

Haven, 25+ years old and you are free and clear. But I believe the fine print says 25 years from the date of manufacture, not the model year. If you try bringing a 21-25 year old vehicle in you will still get hung up on the DOT requirements. That means the importation needs to be done by an authorized importer and conversion to DOT standards. But you won't need to worry about the EPA. Also the vehicle will need to be on the approved importation list, which means Defender 110s are 1993 only.

Jim

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by jfm_stl

Haven, 25+ years old and you are free and clear. But I believe the fine print says 25 years from the date of manufacture, not the model year. If you try bringing a 21-25 year old vehicle in you will still get hung up on the DOT requirements. That means the importation needs to be done by an authorized importer and conversion to DOT standards. But you won't need to worry about the EPA. Also the vehicle will need to be on the approved importation list, which means Defender 110s are 1993 only.

Jim

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the approved importation list is for vehicles less than 25 years old.

Your example, the '93 110, is only 16 years old.

[Robthebrit]

I would avoid Japan, South Africa, Australia or the UK because they are right hand drive. It seems RHD vehicles in the US are hit or miss, in some states they are technically illegal and insuring is going to be difficult (there is no way to say its not a gray market vehicle).

The rules you list are pretty much the only rules, each state has its own additional rules but they are typically related to emissions. If you do import something make sure it has a chance of passing. CARB is the issue in the California and there is a whole slew of additional rules you have to play by. Most of the California rules are based on a given year and are not based on a specific age. There are different rules for gas and diesels. Old diesels have been relatively easy to register in CA but thats about to change for vehicles over 14000 pounds. The new rules are so restrictive there may be a slew of bigger mogs leaving the goldern state because its impossible to register them.

DOT rules:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/

EPA rules:
http://www.epa.gov/OMS/imports/

New CA diesel rules:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/mobile.htm

[UK4X4]

here's a link with a lot of info and other threads on IH8MUD

http://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-...e-posting.html