Hi everybody --

I'm in the market for a classic, and I came across the listing for a 1993 from ClassicCore out of England. After reading some importing and buying posts here I have a couple of questions:

1. Anyone have experience with ClassicCore?

2. I got concerned about registering this 1993 due to how new the model year is. Is there any equipment on these cars that would give me trouble getting it registered here in the states, specifically in the SouthWest, like Arizona or California? Airbags and emissions equipment come to mind. I don't know enough about the 1990s Classics to know with what hardware they're equipped.

Thanks everyone!

Cheers,
Jeff

 

Check your states requirements on registering a car... I know California ia a BIZATCH even with cars titled as 25-years old or older. Here in Ohio they didn't even glance at the age of the car and barely looked at it, but your experience might vary.

As for equipment, again check with your state, but I believe that in most states cars older than 25 years are considered to be "historic" or "classic" and are exempt from emissions. You might need to get a "Historic" license plate to qualify for this, and the historic plate may affect your driving permissions - in Ohio, for instance, a Historic plate only entitles you to drive to and from car shows, not use anytime you like. But, it's cheap, only a few bucks, a fraction of a full registration. Luckily, here in Ohio I don't have to do emissions testing regardless of the type of plate I have, so I opted to fully license the car - that way I can drive whereever and whenever I like.

If your state mandates airbags and such even on classic cars then you're likely screwed - only very late-model Minis had airbags, and all of them AFAIK were fuel-injected. Good luck convincing a customs agent that a Mini with airbags and multi-point injection is actually a classic car. Almost all have seatbelts, though - even very old Minis usually have them retrofit. Again, check your state's qualifications (sorry to sound like a broken record, but this is controlled by the State BMV).

Really the main concern is customs. From what I hear, if the customs guys on the docks ascertain that the car is not in fact over 25 years old they WILL crush it into a cube on the spot. It's a risk, which is why I suggest exhausting all your options here in the States before importing. Any car that's been titled in the US previously has obviously gotten through customs. Refistering the car (other than in CA) seems to be the EASY part...

 

Yes, Arizona is similar. 1966 or older are exempt from emissions testing, but 1967+ requires yearly treadmill tests or exemption through 'classic car' qualification.

Thanks for this information. I had only been concerned with local registration laws and wasn't even thinking about Customs. After perusing the CBP website (which has really good information) I see what you mean about Customs being sceptical about a vehicle < 25 years old being 'classic'.

Thanks again for the great information!
Cheers,
Jeff

 

I get the impresison that it used to be easier to stealth a re-VINned car through customs... Possibly post-911 tightening of standards? Who knows? Maybe I'm just talking to the wrong people -I know that plenty of cars still seem to flow into the US, many of them re-VINned. If anyone has experience with importing (I know of a few pwople that frequent the forums that have ordered cars from overseas for themselves or others) please correct any of my incorrect impresisons. I'd still look long and hard at domestically-available cars on places like MiniMania's classifieds before ordering from overseas though - you might save a few bucks getting it imported, but the risks are higher IMO of getting a rust bucket. If you can look the car over with your own eyes before parting with your $ then that's always the best thing...

 

I wonder if the guy who I bought my mini from would, for a fee, bring a car in in his container that he gets regularly. I'm not sure how or if he still does it but I will let you know when/if I hear from him.

 

One. I think the 'crush on the spot' is either a tall tail, or at least a 'not always'. I dig around government auctions periodically and have run into groups of vehicles seized by Customs including some Mini re-vin's. They sell 'em at auction, or try to, the lot description notes that car is for immediate export or disassembly, that it can not be titled in the US.

Two. The 'rule book' is this little DOT form...so far as Customs goes anyway:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/hs799short.pdf

 

Regardless, you wouldn't want to have to export it back out...then you must deal with UK rules on importing & possibly their exhorbinant duty structure. If you want a late model Mini, buy one that's already landed in the US & registered as a pre-(whatever you need locally), there's plenty about.

 

this sucks though, i might be getting my uncles mini from europe. i got an idea. build you own island in the middle of the atlantic called "eurica". build lots of roads, and never deal with customs

 

IT WILLL NEVER BE REGISTERED IN CA AS A 93.
As far as emissions test for your state, it must pass according to 93 standards.