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Old 05-17-2009, 12:40 AM   #1 (permalink)
 
Location: Phoenix
Drive: Roadster
How to import Smart Roadster?

Chapter Members,
I currently live in Munich, Germany and will be moving in one month to Phoenix area. It would be great to import my relatively new Smart Roadster coupe ..... but I have no idea how to 'legally' register this model type in Arizona, can anyone provide suggestions?

Is there a recommended insurance agent for 'imports' ?

Approved service garage?

Any help much appreciated,

Ross Armstrong

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Old 05-17-2009, 02:39 AM   #2 (permalink)
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You would have to ship the car in pieces to US and reassemble and get it titled as a kit car. There is no way you can get it legally registered otherwise due to US law.

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...oadster-22728/

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Old 05-17-2009, 06:34 AM   #3 (permalink)
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
we will never get any "cool" cars here in the US

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Old 05-17-2009, 07:14 AM   #4 (permalink)
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I have heard of people that have imported BMW's and such. There are some exceptions and I am doing some research about IF it can be dome. Here is a place to start:
Importing Your Car into the US - Import a Car, Bring a Car, Import Your Car, US Customs

Since the roadsters are not sold in the US, parts and service may be a problem. Since Arizonia is close to Mexico, there may be a way to get work done there, I believe they roadster is sold in Mexico (not positive)

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Old 05-17-2009, 07:31 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Roadsters were produced from 2003 to 2006 - they're long gone. There are some registered in the US but how that happened is another story. As pointed out in other threads, chances of doing this legally are slim to none. It would be possible to bring one in as a tourist or someone on government/military assignment, but the car would have to be exported at the end of those timeframes.

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Old 05-18-2009, 05:38 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Been doing a little digging into the Smart Roadsters past. The rights to manufacture were acquired by "Project Kimber" who had plans to build them under the AC name (think AC Cobra) in Wales. last I can find, their financing didn't work out. I'd like to find out specs on the cars made by Smart and see what it would take to import one and get it licensed. ( I know, it is impossible, needs to be a kit, etc) but since nobody knows firsthand, Thought I'd do some searching.

The car needs to meet the safety standards (US) for the year it was built, Bumpers, emissions, safety, and such. Then it needs the blessing of th EPA, and DOT before it gets to customs. That's what I got so far.

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Old 05-18-2009, 06:56 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Location: City of Williamsburg, VA
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Where there is a Will, sometimes there is a Way

Until few years ago I had a technically “not-for-U.S.” car – a Caterham Seven - fully factory completed and engined in the UK in 1992. It was subsequently dis-assembled at the works for shipment. I don’t know what its original intent was as its frame was built with a one-off mix of Reynolds light alloy steel bicycle tubing. Whereas Caterhams come into the U.S. as “kit” cars with the engines separately procured here, this one came in complete, with an odd VIN (SADLF0000000##### vs. the normal SKDLN1234…, with the last digits of my VIN being the engine serial number). Before I got it in 1994 (with 46 original miles), it had acquired an additional NC state-assigned VIN and title. I subsequently re-titled it, insured it, and registered it in VA as a ’92 using the Caterham VIN. I road-drove it and clubman-raced it for 11 years with no regulatory problems. Fortunately this part of VA does not have to do emissions testing, so carbs, no cat, no bumpers, no sweat. It is still on the road in another part of the country.

There well could have been some intrigue between the works, the wealthy recipient in NC, and my delivering “facilitator.”

Last edited by Old smart; 05-18-2009 at 07:30 AM..

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Old 05-20-2009, 03:46 PM   #8 (permalink)
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I am guessing it was dis-assembled at the factory it was built at?? part of the import requirements is a statement as to if it meets US EPA and safety standards for that year. With no motor, I would think it could be brought in as parts or something and the rules may not apply. I think they closed up that loophole now.

Sounds like a fun machine tho!!

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Old 05-23-2009, 12:44 AM   #9 (permalink)
 
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Location: Ingleside, Illinois
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OOOOOHH Me wants roadster! There has got to be a way. The government finds loopholes everywhere (like going to war without declaring war) so why can't we dig into some books and get some roadsters here!

P.S. I saw a weird 3 wheeled Tata looking vehicle 2 weeks ago, its top was only 30 yet it traveled on high speed roads... I'm looking for pics...

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Old 10-06-2009, 07:57 AM   #10 (permalink)
 
Location: California
Forget about it! Sell it in Germany and use that money to buy a Lotus when you get here!

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