bluedragon..  you are quite right..  btw.. this all started with Jag/ land rover north america  giving FALSE info on the land rover defenders 90 and 110s..  stupic bastards did NOT tell CBP that vin number sequence  is NOT the same on a euro speck truck.. and they reuse the 10 digit there. as a 1984 will show up as 2011 here on  DMV date base.. all about GREED from land rover ..  btw.. beane1  got your wire transfer / refund from the prick  ellison yet?? later bc

My recollection is that these laws were really targeted for newer cars. Let's go back to the 80's. As you may recall, US cars had many different standards than foreign cars, and many enthusiasts preferred the home-market versions of these imported vehicles (primarily European.)

Taking the European cars as an example, they didn't have passive safety systems (aka airbag or motorized seat belts), 5 mph bumpers, various crash structures such as door beams, and probably most impactful, emissions control systems like the USA did (particularly when US standards really were tightened in 1980.)

So many people were hot to bring in the lighter, unsmogged Euro vehicles instead of their Federalized counterparts based on perceived superior performance (which in many, but not all, cases was true.)

These regs helped kill that loophole. The big manufacturers didn't have any problem with the law because they needed to protect their US distributorships from sales poaching.

I also agree true classics are no threat to the well being or safety of the US driver (nor the Canadian driver if Canada had similar laws at the time) but this is the mire that lawyers are born from. Someone would figure out a way to exploit the lack of these regulations for more widespread sales purposes, and so classic cars are swallowed up in the regulatory tide.

These days, it's not nearly as big a problem because Euro/Japanese and North American standards and regulations are much more closely aligned. (California and similar US states excepted.) But the laws remain.

I'm glad to hear that the shorty saga is coming to a decent if not great ending...

Dear Port Director Perteet:



This is in response to our collaboration regarding what was declared as a 1988 Austin Mini vehicle with VIN SAXXL2S1020392163 that was presented for importation at Port Hueneme, California under Customs Entry No. 9TN-10259505. You provided NHTSA with a series of photographs and information from inspections that were conducted on the vehicle. You asked whether the subject vehicle may be lawfully imported into the United States under the statutes and regulations administered by NHTSA.



By way of background, NHTSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that is responsible for improving safety on our Nation’s highways. To achieve this goal, NHTSA develops and enforces the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), which require minimum levels of safety performance for motor vehicles and equipment. As part of our enforcement program, we monitor vehicles being imported into the United States to ensure that they comply with all applicable FMVSS.



On October 31, 1988, Congress enacted the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301. Under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a)(1), a person may not permanently import into the United States a motor vehicle manufactured after the date that an applicable FMVSS takes effect unless the vehicle complies with the standard and is so certified by its original manufacturer. This prohibition applies to both new and used motor vehicles, but does not apply to motor vehicles that are at least 25 years old (based on the date that the vehicle was manufactured). This is because vehicles at least 25 years old are exempt from the need to comply with the FMVSS under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(b)(9).



The importer declared the 1988 Austin Mini vehicle as being eligible for importation under Section 30112(b)(9). Based on photographs of the vehicle and your report, we have reason to believe that the subject vehicle is ineligible for this exemption. These findings are amplified below:



· The subject vehicle’s body floor boards were cut to shorten the vehicle resulting in a 50-inch wheelbase in contrast to a 78 5/32-inch wheelbase as originally manufactured. The vehicle’s overall length has been shortened to 7 feet, 5 inches from 10 feet, ¼ inch.



· The vehicle was manufactured as a 2-door sedan. The subject vehicle has been remanufactured to such an extent that it has no doors.



Assuming that the vehicle presented for importation was manufactured in 1988, it has been remanufactured to such an extent that it is no longer regarded by NHTSA as a relatively original vehicle at least 25 years old. The agency has stated that if remanufacturing involves sufficient manufacturing operations and new parts, the vehicle may be considered newly manufactured. This means that the subject vehicle would be required to meet all applicable FMVSS in effect at the time of remanufacture and to be certified as conforming to those FMVSS. The remanufactured vehicle is considered to be a “new” motor vehicle rendering it ineligible for importation under Section 30112(b)(9).



In conclusion, the subject vehicle is ineligible for importation under Section 30112(b)(9) and I recommend that you deny entry. NHTSA will reconsider our recommendation to deny entry if the importer provides evidence that the vehicle remanufacturing operations were completed at least 25 years ago.



This was the response from NHTSA so beware when importing a car.

ron..  ( beane1.) sounds good.. let us know you got the FULL REFUND..  ( btw. I drink STELLA ARTOIS these day..  you can send me couple cases for sorting for you.  glad I could help.. and the folks here KNOW I HATE scam artists... like BP ...  later  bc

Haven't got it yet but we are working on the paper work to get it done. Thanks for all your help and advise.
 

 BEWARE.. I see mountain minis has two OTHER after market cabrio minis..  they can NOT be imported either..  [email protected]  one is beige and the other is RED..  beane1  got your refund back yet from this PRICK?? later bc

malsal.. yes I am SHOCKED also.. my guess beane1 ( ron) will send the shorty back and then David Ellison will vanish..  later bc UPDATE.. beane1 is getting wire transfer BEFORE he ships back to the scam artist david ellison mountainminis..  

Shocked he has agreed to do a refund Bill as most of these guys go into hiding when the $hit hits the fan.
Well done.

Great News BC.  Best automotive related news I have read all day.

beane1.. glad to hear the seller david ellison has offered FULL refund..today..  I did put the FEAR of GOD  in him..  you owe me couple cases of STELLA ARTOIS. for this.. was glad to help with the SCAM artist..  later bc

yes.. of course. just do it under Box 2A for DOT .  motor vehicle parts..   and you can do as combined  container for about $1k..   I have done few.of them. the cats MEOW..  later b

Is it still possible to import a Heritage shell?

hunter I am told you can NOT import a classic mini with NEW BMHT shell. or even replace the sub frames. NOW.. has to be everything OEM..  even the windscreen glass and seatbelts..  ( I have minis SEIZED this in 2016/2017 for this ALONE..   I tell folks now.. try to find one here in the USA. and ONLY as last resort try to import one now from the UK.. and BMHT cert is PLUS.. or should I say MUST??later bc  ps.. all about Corporate GREED.

An idle thought from north of the 49th...

Very few Classic Cars from the 60's, 70's, 80's are being manufactured anymore, indeed their overall numbers dwindle every year.  Sure Heritage will sell you a new sedan shell for your old bits but not even a drop in the bucket.

What evil is the mere existence of old cars presenting?

I have driven my 1973 Leyland Australia Mini Window Van, 16,600 miles in Canada & USA since it was imported in late January 2014.

Yes it had 8.4" disc brakes not drums up front.  Yes it had 12" wheels/tyres not 10" when landed in Canada...none of this was a problem.

Nor was RH drive though I had to replace the RHD headlights for LHD dipping lights and I had to add side marker lights as all Minis that came to Canada in the 70's had them.  I put LEDs in the City flairs.

After the safety inspection & lights were addressed...register, insure, drive.

The Minis wheels have since rolled in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon & California.

Is it because GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler et al want me to buy one on their new cars??  Chrysler can send me a notice about an Air Bag recall but can't replace them.  VW engages in massive pollution control subterfuge.  All pickup trucks are exempt from fuel efficiency requirements.  I am supposed to be impressed???

johninCM..  I heard it is act of GOD to import race car these days.  for private partys..   you MUST get letter and approval from  NHTSA ( DOT ) and EPA. before you import it now..  I checked into it.. you also have to have SCCA lic ect.   I know someone in memphis that did NOT get the letters in advance and the porsche sat in JAIL with CBP for over  a YEAR..  you can imagine the storage costs at $250 PER day now.. later bc 

Just for the sake of discussion how does this situation apply to race cars? If someone was to import a vintage Mini racecar what problems might they run into?

If racecars can be imported with little trouble how much of a racer do they need to be? Is a simple rollbar enough?

Of course I understand if a car is brought in as a dedicated racer it won't be allowed on the street. Here in California a racer (or any car) can be returned to the street after being inspected for vin number, safety equipment and emissions.

I'm not planning on doing this (I have enough projects) only thinking out loud. 

John

guys..  just saw the photos of the engine bay..  seems this PRICK.. david ellison MOVED the vin plate from the left inner wing to behind the carb on the firewall..  this is VIN TAMPERING  to say the least .  so looks like the shortie is going back to england.. I have   Been in touch with my contact at Scotland Yard today. london  .  lets HOPE ellison does the right thing for ONCE and refunds  ron ( beane1).. NO chance the mini can be imported to the usa..  will update soon. after Ron files with I Justice. ( small claims there in the UK.. later bc

+1

Finally, someone actually doing something instead of typing an automotive eulogy.  And, hope all goes well and well done Mini/Moke community.

ron.. I just sent you link for small claims court in the UK.. called I justice..  cost is about 600 quid.. but easy to get FULL amount REFUNDED with that prick David Ellison at Mountain Minis off ebay.com/ ebay.co.uk   Ellison has dozens of minis SEIZED in the USA and Mexico.    Even more of scam artist than BP and ML put together..  later bc