1994-1995 Mazda Eunos JCES Cosmo Series II - Approved

Here is something to consider when you send in a Show or Display application or determination, being specific. In this case, the 1994-1995 Mazda Eunos JCES Cosmo Series II was approved, but the 1992 Mazda Cosmo was not approved.

The Cosmo had several unique technologically significant features, the 20B 3 rotor engine, the first production GPS option, and a CRT touch screen.  Total there were 8875 cars made from 1990-1995 with about 40 percent of the cars being 3 rotors - JCES. Even though I haven't found out if there were less than 500 sold, someone managed to get the NHTSA to approve a Nissan Skyline GT-R, that there were a lot more than that sold, and doesn't even actually exist.

This car might be difficult to get EPA certification. I would suggest finding an ICI that can handle this 3 rotor engine prior to importing the car. In some places, like California, it can get very expensive to bring the car into ARB compliance.

"The triple rotor 20B had 2 Litres (1962 cc) of displacement, making it the largest capacity rotary offered for sale by Mazda. It produced 300 hp (224 kW) and 300 lb·ft (402 N·m) with twin turbochargers. The JC series Cosmo set several firsts in Automotive history. Its 13B-REW and 20B-REW engines were the first series production twin sequential turbo systems to be offered for sale on a rotary engined car (The twin sequential turbo piston engined Porsche 959 predates the Eunos Cosmo by several years). The better known FD RX-7 didn't receive the twin turbo 13B-REW engine until early 1992. Plus was the first production car in the world to get a GPS option & the first in Japan to use the "Palmnet" serial data comms system for ECU-to-ECAT operation.

This 4th generation Cosmo was way ahead of its time electronically as well by being offered [4] with Car Control System, a CRT colour touch-screen controlling climate control, mobile phone, GPS car navigation, NTSC TV, radio and CD-Player."
Source: Wikipedia

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1981 Triumph Bonneville M/C - Not Approved

This one is a little odd in 2012. There are no dates associated with the applications, or when they were not allowed. This 1981 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle turned 25 years old in 2006, becoming NHTSA exempt. It was over 21 years old in 2002, and EPA exempt. So even though its not allowed under Show or Display, it has met the age requirements to be exempt.

"MORE SPECIAL MODELS
The 1981 Triumph Bonneville attempted to address dwindling sales with what had become "Limited Edition"-madness. Not that it was a bad thing, they turned out some pretty nice bikes. But, the problems Triumph was facing couldn't be solved by cobbling together yet another tarted up version of the same old tired 1937 design. But, that didn't stop them. More power to 'em!

 

MODEL DESIGNATIONS
Meriden came out with no fewer than 3 new versions of the 1981 Triumph Bonneville. The first two were variants of the 1981 Triumph Bonneville Executive, meant to be the touring version, in both kickstart & electric start versions. These came with fairings, top box (touring pack) & panniers (hard saddle bags). The third bike was intended for Police duty & was being evaluated for that purpose. This final 1981 Triumph Bonneville variant was called the T140AV, the "AV" ambitiously designating "Anit-Vibration", which used rubberized engine mounts to quell the vibes. At that time, BMWs boxer-twins were getting the lions share of Police business in Europe & the UK, partly because they were very smooth, but also very reliable. Neither of which could be said for the Triumph Bonneville, unfortunately.

ENGINE MODS
The 1981 Triumph Bonneville model year began with Engine #KD28001. Engine mods were few. The TDC locating hole was itself relocated to its former position in front of the engine, because the starter was now in the way & the crankshaft was notched accordingly. There was a new heavy duty 4-lipped roller main bearing on the timing side. The oil feed to the exhaust tappets was blocked off. The old-style screw-in exhaust spigots & finned clamps made their return. Oil seals were added to the exhaust valve guides."

Source: Classic British Motorcycles.com

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2000 Lotus 340 R - Not Approved

Lotus 340R's

The "Show or Display" application for the 2000 Lotus 340R was not approved. 340 total cars made, but obviously not technologically significant enough for the NHTSA.

No roof, no doors, more or less a track car for the street. Not enough to differentiate it from a normal Lotus Elise.  This car would have also been tough because of the Rover engine. It would have to been EPA certified. Perhaps the "Show or Display" application said that the engine was going to be swapped for a Toyota engine like the 111R or  US approved Lotus Elise.  " If the original engine in the vehicle will be replaced with a non-original engine to meet EPA requirements, it must be identified in your application since it may impact on the technological or historical significance of the vehicle."


"The 340R is a special edition of the Lotus Elise. Just 340 were built, and all were sold before they were manufactured. It uses a custom built bodyshell with no roof or doors. All cars came with a silver and black colour scheme. Special A038R tyres were developed for the 340R in collaboration with Yokohama.

While road-legal in the UK, most of the surviving cars are used for racing, track use, or demonstrations"
Source: Wikipedia

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1998 Porsche GT1 - Approved

Porsche GT1

The Show or Display list includes a 1997 Porsche GT1 Straßenversion, and a 1998 Porsche GT1.  According to Wikipedia, twenty five 1997 Straßenversions were built, only one 1998 GT1 "street version".

Under 500 cars, technologically significant, meets the requirements for Show or Display. The 1998 Porsche GT1 would still need to meet US EPA requirements, but being based on the Porsche 3.2 twin turbo engine, makes the job of certification easier.

"Regulations for the GT1 category stipulated that to be eligible, a total of 25 cars must be built for road use. Porsche developed a fully road-legal version, dubbed "911 GT1 Straßenversion", and delivered one in early 1996 to the German government for compliance testing, which it passed. The engine had to be slightly de-tuned to meet European emissions laws, although its 544 PS (400 kW; 537 hp) and dry weight of 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) proved to be more than adequate; the vehicle could accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 308 km/h (191 mph)."

"For the 1998 season Porsche developed an all-new car, the 911 GT1-98. Designed to match the also new Toyota GT-One and Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, the 911 GT1-98 featured bodywork which bore more of a resemblance to traditional sports-prototypes than the previous 2 models while a new sequential gearbox was installed. As per the regulations a street-legal version of the 911 GT1-98 was spawned, but it is believed that only one variant was produced which was still sufficient to satisfy the regulations."
Source:Wikipedia

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2005 Mercedes Benz AMG CLK-DTM Coupe - Approved

CLK- DTM for sale at Canepa

The Mercedes AMG CLK-DTM Coupe is on the list of approved vehicles for Show or Display.100 Coupés and 80 Convertibles were released for sale in Europe. Under 500 made, technologically significant. 

"The DTM is based on the CLK55 AMG, with the style and performance that evokes the spirit of the racing CLK that won the DTM racing series. It certainly looks the part, with its deep front spoiler, deck-lid wing, brawny wheel-arch extensions, and nineteen-inch front and twenty-inch rear wheels, shod with 225/35 and 285/30 Dunlop tires.

The interior is a study in carbon fiber. The stock CLK instrument panel remains, but there’s a new gauge cluster, and carbon fiber door panels. The center console, and the space where the rear seats used to live are all fitted with carbon fiber panels. Carbon-fiber bucket sport seats with leather trim, four-point harnesses, and a suede-covered steering wheel with alloy paddle shifters complete the interior.

Powered by a special version of the SL55 AMG’s 5.4-liter, supercharged V-8 cranking out 625 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Modified cam timing, more boost, a stiffer crankcase, and a new exhaust system help to hike power and torque over the SL55’s 493 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a high tech five-speed “manu-matic” transmission controlled by Formula One inspired paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel.

The front and rear track have been widened by 2.9 and 4.2 inches respectively, and special tires and suspension modification allow the car to corner at an incredible 1.35 g. The MacPherson-strut front and multilink rear suspensions have adjustable springs and gas-filled dampers, there is a stiffer rear antiroll bar and new rear hub carriers and drive shafts. New metal-to-metal joints have replaced the standard CLK rubber units through out the suspension. A multiplate limited-slip differential helps put the power to the ground, and the stability and traction control systems have been recalibrated.

Finally, there are huge 14.2-inch-diameter front and 13.0-inch rear discs, with six-piston calipers up front and four pistons out back providing eye popping stopping power!"


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