WOW, if you really have to go through that much trouble just to get an exemption based on historic value, how did your friend get his approved. I'd definitely be interested in knowing how he did it.

 

Visually - unappealing and buglike
Performance - from what I've read reasonably impressive
Practicality - what practicality?
Finish - they saw their buyers coming
Cost - see 'Finish'

 

Hey,

More info on the importation issue. Chris did not use the "show or display" exemption.

EPA certification: The entire drivetrain was replaced. Engine & transmission are from the ITR, and bits and pieces such as the halfshafts, engine mounts, etc. were custom fabricated. This is why it is emissions legal. Enough of the mechanicals were changed for the vehicle to get a new VIN with Sun International as the manufacturer.

[B]"Crash" safety:[B] This part is less clear, because the details of jumping through all these hoops is Sun International's bread and butter. But, in order to meet most safety regulations, it seems a manufacturer is only required to "demonstrate" that the requirements have been met, but not necessarily prove it or crash the car.. So, just proclaim that it is legal and wait for the government to disagree. "Yes, I have headlights. Yes, I have setbelts. Yes my steering column protrudes less than X inches toward the driver." Apparently you can get certain "hardship" waivers for certain things, for instance if you are a low-volume manufacturer. (glass, ride height, airbags, crash, etc.)

$

 

dsp

That is my point - the car may be technically legal right now - but when the Feds catch up with them it's lights out.

Yes the car is emissions legal due to the ITR motor, but there is no way that the car passes safety tests.

 

I am curious why you say there is "no way that the car passes safety tests". Do you know what the tests are? And do you know that those tests are required?

In my understanding, crash testing (among other regulations) is not required and can be waived. In particular, safety regulations may be waived if compliance would "cause substantial economic hardship to a manufacturer."

FYI Sun International is officially the manufacturer of this Elise. I am told that the necessary exemptions have been granted or are in process. If this is truly the case, it is unlikely that the Feds will try to "catch up with them".

For more information:

This is excerpted from information found on the NHTSA website :

TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE
SUBTITLE VI. MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
PART A. GENERAL
CHAPTER 301. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY

 

Concours de Elegance at Ault Park
Cincinnati, Ohio
June 9, 2001
LL