Quote:
Originally Posted by
JDNSW
I emailed my brother in the US on this - here is his reply:-
"As far as I know, the restrictions which apply are those which were in effect
for the model year of manufacture. The tough restrictions started in 1975,
and became increasingly problematic. *But there were earlier restrictions:
for example, from about 1950 there was a requirement for sealed beam
headlights, and even though that restriction was lifted in about 1980, it may
still apply for cars 1950-1980.
The relevant standards are Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, revised under the
Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988; bumper standards under the
Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act of 1972, which became
effective in 1978; and air pollution control standards under the Clean Air
Act of 1968, as amended in 1977, and 1990.
I would imagine it would be fairly easy to get a vehicle from 1974 or earlier
approved, even though you might have to make some modifications. "Vehicles
entering the United States that do not conform with U.S. safety standards
must be brought into compliance, exported, or destroyed."
Emission standards started in 1967."
You could check the acts he refers to.
The "kit car" route, from what I have heard, is quite effective at getting the vehicle in, and after that the problem would depend on what state you wanted to register it in - I gather they vary from very strict to very laissez faire.
Nothing about protection of the US car industry.
John
From NHTSA in US
Under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a), a person may not permanently import into the United States a motor
vehicle manufactured after the date that an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard (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.
