If I was to do this, I'd split the parts sourcing into various chunks, the bodywork from the UK in one container or RDS, Galvy chassis bought from a US source (EG DAP/ECR), Engine, Transmission, axles perhaps from salvage vehicle, and assemble, etc
Importing Two Defender 130's as Salvage?
- Thread starter nomad
- Start date
A little off topic and I will most likely get my head chewed off but...
What is it about the Defender that makes it illegal in the US market?
I know emmissions are one thing (but I am sure that can be fixed), so is it bumper regs, safety crash shit, seatbelt points, lights or ???? I have tried to find out and never got a straight answer.
Ok... so I went to AskJeeves and I got to the ECR web page. It has to do with act passed about bumpers, emmissions and safety issues. I am not sure if it has to come tfrom the manufac. in original form. Why can't you just take a UK Defender, make it US DOT approved before you bring it over and viola... a Defender that meets the DOT requirements... unless it has to be done by the manufacturer. If that is the case, couldn't a LR dealer (Manu. representative) to do the mods? So what is this bumper shit anyway? Does LR realize what a loss they have in not exporting the Defender to the US? What made the 199x-199x ones comply? What was different than the ones now?
What is it about the Defender that makes it illegal in the US market?
I know emmissions are one thing (but I am sure that can be fixed), so is it bumper regs, safety crash shit, seatbelt points, lights or ???? I have tried to find out and never got a straight answer.
Ok... so I went to AskJeeves and I got to the ECR web page. It has to do with act passed about bumpers, emmissions and safety issues. I am not sure if it has to come tfrom the manufac. in original form. Why can't you just take a UK Defender, make it US DOT approved before you bring it over and viola... a Defender that meets the DOT requirements... unless it has to be done by the manufacturer. If that is the case, couldn't a LR dealer (Manu. representative) to do the mods? So what is this bumper shit anyway? Does LR realize what a loss they have in not exporting the Defender to the US? What made the 199x-199x ones comply? What was different than the ones now?
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Mike110
Guest
My 110
I have a 1984 110. I bought from some seemingly shady guy in Virginia. It is a LHD, how do you guys suppose it got here? It has a grey market title. I know everything about my rover accept how it got to the states. Just wondering if you guys have any input...would you guys say there is a good chance it was diassasembled and reassmbled upon entry? Just wondering what the most common way it could have happened is. Thanks.
-Mike
I have a 1984 110. I bought from some seemingly shady guy in Virginia. It is a LHD, how do you guys suppose it got here? It has a grey market title. I know everything about my rover accept how it got to the states. Just wondering if you guys have any input...would you guys say there is a good chance it was diassasembled and reassmbled upon entry? Just wondering what the most common way it could have happened is. Thanks.
-Mike
Mike,
It didn't used to be a big deal; some people abused the system, and the law clamped down. Being an '84, yours may be one of the early legal ones.
Asolo3j,
Dealership WON'T do it. You can have a Registered Importer do it, to a '93 110. $$$$$
The big reason was the airbag laws after the last 1997 models came in. And, the US market for the Defender, while consisting of a group of diehard fans, is rather small. The money needed to bring the Defender up to the 1998 (and onward) US-DOT spec to meet was gonna be more than they'd make by not spending that money, and just selling them everywhere else.
Just get a Series III, and rebuild it into a hybrid... you can swap it over to a coil suspension, change to whatever engine you want, keep the common parts then add the Defender bits to replace the Seriesish bits....
-L
It didn't used to be a big deal; some people abused the system, and the law clamped down. Being an '84, yours may be one of the early legal ones.
Asolo3j,
Dealership WON'T do it. You can have a Registered Importer do it, to a '93 110. $$$$$
The big reason was the airbag laws after the last 1997 models came in. And, the US market for the Defender, while consisting of a group of diehard fans, is rather small. The money needed to bring the Defender up to the 1998 (and onward) US-DOT spec to meet was gonna be more than they'd make by not spending that money, and just selling them everywhere else.
Just get a Series III, and rebuild it into a hybrid... you can swap it over to a coil suspension, change to whatever engine you want, keep the common parts then add the Defender bits to replace the Seriesish bits....
-L
syoung said:
Yep, keep it within the system and you have a paper trail to save you from confiscation.
I remember hearing something about the 15 year rule. If the vehicle is 15yrs old or older then can't it be considered for different types of titling? Vintage, classic, etc... is there a way to import as a calssic? I think they follow different rules, but I could just be manifesting this in my head.
Asolo3j said:
25 years. Right now, you can bring in a 1979 model-year vehicle w/o a hassle. Next month, a 1980-model year will be fair game.
-L
ptschram
Well-known member
Leslie said:
When you get that close to the birth date of the vehicle, they (DOT/EPA) will check the date of manufacture.
I
ISUZUROVER
Guest
Leslie said:
Sounds like it would be a good idea to pick up a 1980 SIII Stage 1 V8 (often cheap in the UK because people can't afford the fuel costs), and a 110 rolling chassis (with power steering) at the same time.
Ship it back to the US (legally), then swap the chassis and axles. Then you effectively have something that is identical to an early V8 110.
You can always try the agricultural route. If you can claim they are for farm use, and never to be driven on public roads, you most likely could get them in country in one piece. I assume if you had a troublesome inspector, you might have to substantiate your ag claim.
Hell if that's the case just slap some numbers and some carlos fandango stickers on the sides of the doors and claim they are race cars 
With the 25 year rule: Why aren't we seeing an increase in the number of late 70's era SIII Rovers coming in to the States? Seeing the are very reasonable to buy in the UK and get them shiped here as vintage/classic status... I would have thought there would be more in the USA or am I just looking in the wrong places?
S
syoung
Guest
The exchange rate has made it a little more harsh- but still some exceptional buys. I just ran across a 1979 109SW that EVEN with the horrid exchange rate, just might have to come over to my driveway. I have to decide what vehicle to get rid of first- no parking spots left.
One trick is to hire the shipping through a US company instead of a Brit company... When I made inquiries, because of the exchange rate I'm guessing, it was about half as much to ship to Baltimore with a US based carrier. Lowest price I got so far was $1120 for a 109.
Anyone else have any contacts or know any shippers?
One trick is to hire the shipping through a US company instead of a Brit company... When I made inquiries, because of the exchange rate I'm guessing, it was about half as much to ship to Baltimore with a US based carrier. Lowest price I got so far was $1120 for a 109.
Anyone else have any contacts or know any shippers?
maybe with a Mog or something like that. good luck telling that story with a 110 - especially if a 5 door. not going to happen. looked into that route for getting my 110 back when we leave Brasil and we have a farm in PA.
nope - a 1993 D110 5 door is the key to success. and with the cost of them here, exactly my plan on return with maybe the new stuff on it from my '03.
Jaime
S
syoung
Guest
There's a TON of newly imported ex-MOD Defenders in Canada. Most are still too new to bring over. They were going cheap too- I've seen pics of solid ones that sold for $3K.
An imported 93 110 will work IF you add the external cage and covert to a smog-legal 93 petrol engine.
An imported 93 110 will work IF you add the external cage and covert to a smog-legal 93 petrol engine.
not in total agreement on either as not all the 110s redone by ECR have the cage and a gas engine. yes, they were based on 90s and modified, yet, some had TDIs and some did not have cages. they are all legal.
Jaime