Exporting a UK TR7

[V8Wedgehead]

So given this some thought for a bit and knowing how much more appealing a UK specification 1981-82 TR7 fixed head coupe preferably but would also do the drop head if it was the right car of how much of a hassle is it or would it be to get a TR7 exported to the United States? I know on this side of the pond homeland security and about 200 other federal agencies would take 10 years and so much paper work it would drive me nuts for sure over a car. The first step would be making sure it was a possibility before even making the attempt. The other idea was to convert a TR7 here in the US to a RHD example with all the goodies including the SUs. Anyone on the forum done this with a whole car?

Michael
1980 TR8 FHC #0020 Rally Conversion

[FI Spyder]

Why a UK coupe? Just for the RHD? There are rumblings here of outlawing RHD's but don't know if it will ever gain enough ground or how wide spread it is geographicaly speaking.

If you just want UK (European spec) you can get SU's from S&S or Robsport. A set of 9.25 to 1 pistons and distributor weights and you're pretty close. Take off the emissions if your state lets you and there you go. A lot easier than importing a UK car. You're left with the bumber diferences but I personally like the N/A bummpers better as UK's are too plane jane, just like any new jelly bean car.

As far as importing, it has been done as I know of a number of UK cars that have been imported (to Canada) but in the States I suspect you would be looking more at state laws than federal. I would start at your state's DMV.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[cspence]

Im not sure about the legal factor, I believe the US has much stricter import laws than we do here in Canada (anything 15 years old is legal to import here)

I have been looking at importing a MK1 Capri from the UK so i've gotten a few quotes for shipping. They all seem to be 1200-1400CAD and thats from Liverpool to Halifax.

Hope that helps!

[Jolyon39]

If you are going to import a UK car can I suggest 3 things?

1. UK cars often have extended welded patches all over due to rust, perhaps you should check that these sort of repairs are allowed on your roads. (I have wrecked 2 cars here imported but impossible to put on the road for under $20K of rust repairs)

2. Relatively rust free RHD cars with strombergs carbs etc for emmissions are available in Australia

3. I will never again import a car witout travelling over to inspect it my self. I suggest you do the same and Australia is a great place to visit.

Jolyon

[tr8]

What about importing a parts car that will never be registered. All kinds of possibilities.

[V8Wedgehead]

I love RHD! I also like how the best product which are the last few years of the TR7s ended up in the UK. They always had SUs. The interior & color combinations never made it here. Well no coupes after 1979 made it to the US unless it was a TR8 but nothing exciting for the colors combos. They have that appeal. I will look into the import process here. I am really not afraid of rust unless tha car has folded in half. I do see for the price excellent examples can be had and a bonus for the uniqueness. To convert from LHD to RHD drive involves a lot: dash, wiring, steering, and body mods. If anything has not been bought it has to be sourced and with shipping costs......better to just buy the whole darn car!

Michael
1980 TR8 FHC #0020 Rally Conversion

[RUDDY]

Been a couple of nice low mileage late cars for sale over the last few months, one on Ebay UK now, I guess thats the sort of thing you would go for.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-TRIUMPH-TR7- ... mobiles_UK

I heard tell of a few guys shipping Sierra Cosworths to the US, apparently if you remove a few items such as all lights, clocks and a few other things they can be shipped as spares/parts , the removed parts are shipped separately and then rebuild the car and register it, don't know how much truth there is in this story as there a lot of 'Ford Fables'

Best of luck with your plan.

Paul

[V8Wedgehead]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-TRIUMPH-TR7- ... mobiles_UK

This one too. I used to work at a shop that would export from the US to the UK & Belgium. We would pull parts off like you said and sell tham as not running or spares but with tracible VIN & paperwork for exporting. I do prefer the FHC for some odd reason plus having a 1982 TR7 would be of an interesting conversation over here in the states!

Michael
1980 TR8 FHC #0020 Rally Conversion

[FI Spyder]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by V8Wedgehead</i>

I do prefer the FHC for some odd reason plus having a 1982 TR7 would be of an interesting conversation over here in the states!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

439 FHC were exported in 1981 (1982 INCLUDED?) Canada got some of these. Up here they would be FI cars. I'd prefer one these with it's Delco electronic ignition. You just drive it. No points to check, no carbs to balance, running lean, running rich, what's that mean?[8D]


TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[silverseven]

if only this was a coupe .....it would be something very nice to import over here [;)]

http://forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13016



soooooo I see I'm not the only one who would get a kick out of owning a BDM FHC [8]

Ron.

[tipo158]

Any TR7 will be older than 25 years, so you shouldn't have any Federal issues.

For DOT, you need to complete a HS-7 declaration. Check Box 1 ("The vehicle is 25 or more years old or the equipment item was manufactured on a date when no applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, or Theft Prevention Standard was in effect. ")

For EPA, you need to complete their Form 3520-1. Check the box for 'code E' (vehicle at least 21 years old).

Of course, once you have it in the country, you still have to deal with registering it with your state's DMV.

[tr7sprint1]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by V8Wedgehead</i>

So given this some thought for a bit and knowing how much more appealing a UK specification 1981-82 TR7 fixed head coupe preferably but would also do the drop head if it was the right car of how much of a hassle is it or would it be to get a TR7 exported to the United States? I know on this side of the pond homeland security and about 200 other federal agencies would take 10 years and so much paper work it would drive me nuts for sure over a car. The first step would be making sure it was a possibility before even making the attempt. The other idea was to convert a TR7 here in the US to a RHD example with all the goodies including the SUs. Anyone on the forum done this with a whole car/<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Check out Huw Upshall website. I don't think he's a member here. He has an RHD TR7V8

See his link below:

http://www.triumphcars.com/

<b>"GETTING SPEED OUT OF A LOW POWERED CAR IS OFTEN MORE REWARDING, THAN WITH TIRE-SMOKING BRUTES" </b>