Saturday, June 29, 2013

1999-2000 Aston Martin Vantage LeMans Approved

1999-2000 Aston Martin Vantage LeMans


1999-2000 Aston Martin Vantage LeMans was approved for the Show or Display exemption. There were a total of 40 cars made to commemorate 40 years since Aston Martin's LeMans victory.  With just 40 made, special engine and features to replicate the DBR-1, this is another vehicle that fits into Show or Display, and was approved for the NHTSA exemption.


This car was presented in Geneva in 1999, the 40th anniversary of Aston Martin's victory at that race. It was decided that only a limited series of 40 Vantage Le Mans would be built, one for each year since the Le Mans victory. These cars were the only Aston Martin ever sold with the Le Mans name, and are different and better than any of the previous Aston Martin V8.
The engine delivers 612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp) and 820 N·m (600 lb·ft) of torque, whilst the suspension was also reinforced with special Koni shock-absorbers and stiffer anti-roll bars. The bodywork featured a blanked-out front grille and modified side vents – replicating the side vents of the Le Mans winning DBR-1 – as well as a bigger front spoiler and rear skirt. The interior was reworked with a gigantic rev-meter, a special Titanium finish on some parts, and all possible options such as heated windshield, parking radars, traction control, heated electric seats, and full Connolly leather upholstery with matching Wilton pure wool carpets. Wheels were the same Dymag magnesium units as seen on most V600s. Performance was high, with a claimed top speed of 200 mph (or 320 km/h) and zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The keyholder was in sterling silver and a map from Newport-Pagnell to the legendary Le Mans track was provided in the delivery documents, for owners who would like to do the pilgrimage. Each "Le Mans" was made upon special commission and fitted with a number plate indicating also the name of the first owner.

Source: Wikipedia



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HOW YOU MAY APPLY FOR PERMISSION TO IMPORT

Your signed application must include, at a minimum:
1. Your name, address, phone number, and FAX number.
2. Vehicle identification – make, model, model year, VIN or chassis number,
engine number, date of manufacture and mileage.
3. Location where you will store the vehicle in the United States.
4. Statement describing use on the public roads, if intended. If on-road use is requested, identify the Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) that will modify the vehicle to bring it into conformity with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Basis for the application.
6. Attachments:
1. Photographs – ¾ frontal, ¾ rear, interior, odometer reading and special features (if appropriate).
2. Document from manufacturer or recognized historical source, identifying total production (production verification).
3. Proof of insurance conditioned on limited on-road use (not more than 2,500 miles accumulated in any 12-month period).
4. Identification of vehicle’s:
1. Technological significance – You must identify (be specific) the technology, engineering, and construction features of the vehicle that are advanced and of an unusual nature not commonly found in motor vehicles manufactured in the same time period; or
2. Historical significance – You must identify the historical significance of the vehicle. If a person of historical significance owned the vehicle, you must submit proof that this person owned the vehicle. If the vehicle was the first or last vehicle of a particular model, you must establish this through the manufacturer’s documentation or, if this is not available, through a recognized historical source. If the vehicle was "one of a kind," you must establish this also.
Items of significance must be numerically listed followed by the reason why the item is of significance.
You may then mail the application to:

Import and Certification Division
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (NVS-223)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Room W45-205
Washington, DC 20590

ON-ROAD USE

A vehicle eligible for Show or Display may receive NHTSA approval to be driven on the highway. The odometer must not register more than 2,500 miles in a 12-month period. NHTSA approval of limited on-road use is to allow the vehicle to be driven to and from nearby displays of similar automobiles. Another reason permission is granted is to maintain the vehicle’s engine, braking, lighting, and other dynamic systems in good working order. The vehicle is still required to meet EPA requirements. 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. Email me if you need help importing vehicles.

Monday, June 24, 2013

1997-2000 Honda Civic Type-R - Not Approved For Show or Display

1997-2000 Honda Civic Type-R
The 1997-2000 Honda Civic Type-R was not approved for the Show or Display exemption. To meet the requirements of the exemption, there should be less than 500 cars sold, and the car should be historically or technologically significant.  A high output engine, and weight reduction measures alone are not enough to qualify this Honda Civic as meeting those requirements.

The first Civic to receive the Type R badge was introduced in August 1997, as the EK9. The EK9 shared many characteristics with the Integra Type R DC2/ JDM DB8 such as omission of sound deadening and other weight-reduction measures, a hand-ported B16B engine, front helical limited-slip differential and close ratio gearbox etc.. The B16B engine boasted one of the highest power output per litre of all time for a naturally-aspirated engine with 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) from 1.6L of engine displacement. For the first time, a strategically seam welded monocoque chassis was used to improve chassis rigidity. The interior featured red Recaro seats, Red door cards and red Type R floor mats, a titanium shift knob and a Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel.


1997-2000 Honda Civic Type-R

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Sunday, June 23, 2013

2004-2005 Maserati MC 12 - Approved For Show or Display

2004-2005 Maserati MC 12
The 2005 to 2005 Maserati MC12 is a perfect example of a car that the Show or Display law was written for. The MC12 is a FIA GT1 homologation special. 30 cars made in 2004, of which 25 were sold to the public. 25 made in 2005.  Built off a Ferrari Enzo, sharing much with the Enzo. Think badge engineering, on a much grander, and more expensive scale. If you have the means, then you probably have one.

The MC12 sports a 232 kilogram (511 lb), six-litre (5,998 cc/366 cu in) Enzo Ferrari-derived V12 engine, mounted at 65°.[14] Each cylinder has four valves, lubricated via a dry sump system, and a compression ratio of 11.2:1.[6] These combine to provide a maximum torque of 652 newton metres (481 lbf·ft) at 5500 rpm and a maximum power of 630 PS (460 kW; 620 hp) at 7500 rpm.[6] The redline rpm is indicated at 7500—despite being safe up to 7700—whereas the Enzo has redline at 8200 rpm.[1]

The Maserati MC12 can accelerate from 0–100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds (though Motor Trend Magazine managed 3.7 seconds) and on to 200 kilometres per hour (125 mph) in 9.9 seconds.[1][4][5] It can complete a standing (from stationary) quarter mile in 11.3 seconds with a terminal speed of 200 kilometres per hour (125 mph) or a standing kilometre in 20.1 seconds.[1][5] The maximum speed of the Maserati MC12 is 330 kilometres per hour (205 mph).[5]

The power is fed to the wheels through a rear-mounted, six-speed semi-automatic transmission. The gearbox is the same as the Enzo's transmission (tuned to different gear ratios) but renamed "Maserati Cambiocorsa". It provides a shift time of just 150 milliseconds, and is mechanical with a 215 millimetre (8.5 in) twin plate dry clutch.[4][7][15]

2004-2005 Maserati MC 12
Source:Wikipeida
HELP

HOW YOU MAY APPLY FOR PERMISSION TO IMPORT

Your signed application must include, at a minimum:
1. Your name, address, phone number, and FAX number.
2. Vehicle identification – make, model, model year, VIN or chassis number,
engine number, date of manufacture and mileage.
3. Location where you will store the vehicle in the United States.
4. Statement describing use on the public roads, if intended. If on-road use is requested, identify the Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) that will modify the vehicle to bring it into conformity with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Basis for the application.
6. Attachments:
1. Photographs – ¾ frontal, ¾ rear, interior, odometer reading and special features (if appropriate).
2. Document from manufacturer or recognized historical source, identifying total production (production verification).
3. Proof of insurance conditioned on limited on-road use (not more than 2,500 miles accumulated in any 12-month period).
4. Identification of vehicle’s:
1. Technological significance – You must identify (be specific) the technology, engineering, and construction features of the vehicle that are advanced and of an unusual nature not commonly found in motor vehicles manufactured in the same time period; or
2. Historical significance – You must identify the historical significance of the vehicle. If a person of historical significance owned the vehicle, you must submit proof that this person owned the vehicle. If the vehicle was the first or last vehicle of a particular model, you must establish this through the manufacturer’s documentation or, if this is not available, through a recognized historical source. If the vehicle was "one of a kind," you must establish this also.
Items of significance must be numerically listed followed by the reason why the item is of significance.
You may then mail the application to:

Import and Certification Division
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (NVS-223)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Room W45-205
Washington, DC 20590

ON-ROAD USE

A vehicle eligible for Show or Display may receive NHTSA approval to be driven on the highway. The odometer must not register more than 2,500 miles in a 12-month period. NHTSA approval of limited on-road use is to allow the vehicle to be driven to and from nearby displays of similar automobiles. Another reason permission is granted is to maintain the vehicle’s engine, braking, lighting, and other dynamic systems in good working order. The vehicle is still required to meet EPA requirements. 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. Email me if you need help importing vehicles.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Road and Track Magazine Article : GT-R The Hard Way

1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R NISMO
Thanks to Alex and Chris over at Road and Track Magazine for their article on Show or Display, and the 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R NISMO.  The Nissan Skyline GT-R has been my passion for many years.

Sean Morris was born to win battles with mountains of paperwork and unenthusiastic transportation officials. His website, showordisplay.com, is the latest effort in a lifetime spent pursuing the cars we’re not supposed to have. Call it the family business. Other Morris’ export travel trailers to Australia and shipped American muscle to Japan while the island economy boomed. Maybe there’s a genetic inclination toward patience as well as unburned hydrocarbons. It would have served well during the year-long wait for the GT-R’s exemption to appear in the mail.


My full story about applying for, and then importing the 1990 NISMO Nissan Skyline GT-R.
http://www.showordisplay.com/2012/12/1990-nissan-nismo-skyline-r32-gt-r.html

Approved Cars for Show or Display
Not Approved Cars

HELP

HOW YOU MAY APPLY FOR PERMISSION TO IMPORT

Your signed application must include, at a minimum:
1. Your name, address, phone number, and FAX number.
2. Vehicle identification – make, model, model year, VIN or chassis number,
engine number, date of manufacture and mileage.
3. Location where you will store the vehicle in the United States.
4. Statement describing use on the public roads, if intended. If on-road use is requested, identify the Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) that will modify the vehicle to bring it into conformity with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Basis for the application.
6. Attachments:
1. Photographs – ¾ frontal, ¾ rear, interior, odometer reading and special features (if appropriate).
2. Document from manufacturer or recognized historical source, identifying total production (production verification).
3. Proof of insurance conditioned on limited on-road use (not more than 2,500 miles accumulated in any 12-month period).
4. Identification of vehicle’s:
1. Technological significance – You must identify (be specific) the technology, engineering, and construction features of the vehicle that are advanced and of an unusual nature not commonly found in motor vehicles manufactured in the same time period; or
2. Historical significance – You must identify the historical significance of the vehicle. If a person of historical significance owned the vehicle, you must submit proof that this person owned the vehicle. If the vehicle was the first or last vehicle of a particular model, you must establish this through the manufacturer’s documentation or, if this is not available, through a recognized historical source. If the vehicle was "one of a kind," you must establish this also.
Items of significance must be numerically listed followed by the reason why the item is of significance.
You may then mail the application to:

Import and Certification Division
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (NVS-223)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Room W45-205
Washington, DC 20590

ON-ROAD USE

A vehicle eligible for Show or Display may receive NHTSA approval to be driven on the highway. The odometer must not register more than 2,500 miles in a 12-month period. NHTSA approval of limited on-road use is to allow the vehicle to be driven to and from nearby displays of similar automobiles. Another reason permission is granted is to maintain the vehicle’s engine, braking, lighting, and other dynamic systems in good working order. The vehicle is still required to meet EPA requirements. 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. Email me if you need help importing vehicles.

Monday, May 27, 2013

1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-T - Not Approved

1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-T
The 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-T was not approved for Show or Display. A GT-T is a pretty common version of the Nissan Skyline, so it does not fit into historical or technological significance. Also, 8565 cars made in 1999, so not even close to the 500 maximum for Show or Display requirements. Just because you want it, and its not available in the US, does not mean that it fits into Show or Display.  If you are looking for a Nissan Skyline GT-R that you can import under Show or Display, then the NISMO version of the R32 GT-R is the car.

Other versions NOT APPROVED.

1995 Nissan Skyline GTS-T

1989 – 1994 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R

2001 Nissan Skyline R34 25GT-T
GT-T from Fast and Furious 4 dressed up to look like a GT-R
1998-2001 Turbo Model also available in non turbo model (GT) Standard features include 2.5lt NEO 6 Engine, Limited slip differential, Xenon headlights, Rear window wiper, Driver airbag, Front passenger airbag, 17" alloy wheels, Anti-lock braking system, Traction control, Front seat belt pre-tensioners, Front seat belt force limiters, Rear seat lap sash belt, Child seat attachment, Side impact protection bars, Power windows, Central door locking, Steering wheel height adjust, Leather steering wheel, Alloy wheels and Ultraviolet reducing glass. Optional features include Front fog lamps, Rear fog lamps, Front spoiler, Rear spoiler, Side airbags, Navigation system, Tinted windows, Sunroof. It came in a 2 door coupe or a 4 door 'x' variant.
Which is the real GT-R?
Source: GTRUSA Blog and Wikipedia

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