MGB: Importing a Late Model MG?

I know this question comes up occasionally, but I'm on the road and can't do a search easily.

Is there any way to bring a later model MG (like a 2000 model) into the states? What hoops would you have to jump through? Any idea what it would cost to make it legal.
?

[quote=jdeluke137]
I know this question comes up occasionally, but I'm on the road and can't do a search easily.

Is there any way to bring a later model MG (like a 2000 model) into the states? What hoops would you have to jump through? Any idea what it would cost to make it legal.
?[/quote]

I believe that these days you can bring one in as a show vehicle, you can't import one for regular road use though, it has to be over 25 years old.

Federalizing one would be really tough since there are no US-spec parts available as replacements for things like windshield glass, and no EPA-approved emissions equipment. One (illegal) option might be to register it with a title and VIN from an earlier car - not that I would ever suggest anyone break the law:devil:.

There are an awful lot of 80's and 90's vintage Minis running around with pre-1968 VINs and titles, though.

I know there are a couple TFs here in MN that are perfectly road legal. Just plan on spending an extra $3k or so to have someone jump through the hoops for you for a couple years to procure a title. I don't know the process, but if you buy a Hemmings Motor News, there are companies who advertise in their for just that.

Individuals moving to the US sometimes bring along their personal vehicles. If you went to, say, England and purchased a vehicle and had it titled/registered in your name there could you then import it as your personal vehicle?

Morgan + 8 first yr sent to Canada then imported into US
SAME for the Honda S600 and S800 sports cars (Never sold officially in the US )

[quote=NASpecMGB]
Individuals moving to the US sometimes bring along their personal vehicles. If you went to, say, England and purchased a vehicle and had it titled/registered in your name there could you then import it as your personal vehicle?[/quote]

From what I have read this would only be possible if you were immigrating. Then it could be considered settler's effects...But I could be wrong on this.
In Canada we have one advantage in that we only have to wait 15 years to import a vehicle. And MGF production started in 1995. :thumbsup:

You got yours picked out yet, Rich? :)

[quote=NASpecMGB]
Individuals moving to the US sometimes bring along their personal vehicles. If you went to, say, England and purchased a vehicle and had it titled/registered in your name there could you then import it as your personal vehicle?[/quote]

You can temporarily import a vehicle, US authorities will allow it in for one year, after that it has to be exported or crushed.

There are late model foreign vehicles in the country but it's probably a safe bet that the titles to those vehicles are not fully accurate, like the 90s Minis imported as 1970s vintage.

John,

the F-Type modern MG is a nice car, as long as you do not need OEM spares or have to service the liquid suspension on early examples of this modell. For details, there is a massage board on http://www.mgcars.org.
Even in here, it is an expensive car, when it comes to service as MG-Rover sold the spare parts branch for these cars to Caterpillar, just a few month before the break down.
Known failiures are blown head gaskets and worn out front axles. Early modells wer fitted with a liquid suspension system comparable to the old MG 1100 / 1300 of the late 60's and early 79's. The car is mid engined and has belt driven cams. These belts have to be renewed on regular intervals complete with their adjusters. Not quite easy to reach and it needs an enthusiast or a very good car mechanic to do this right.
When it comes to parking collisions, there are large unique polyurethane bumpers that are very fragile and hard to repair and spares and painting often come close to the complete value of the car itself when they have to be renewed.
All this in mind, is seems to be a real risk to import a car like that to the USA.
If you are after the fun it would give you driving around with one of this modern LBC's, you should also investigate about the Lotus Elise. Early cars shared the K-Series engine from the F-Type and I think they were also offered in the US?
BTW, they were also lighter than the F and performed very well.

Ralph

[quote="Ralph 7h"]
John,

the F-Type modern MG is a nice car, as long as you do not need OEM spares or have to service the liquid suspension on early examples of this modell. For details, there is a massage board on http://www.mgcars.org.
Even in here, it is an expensive car, when it comes to service as MG-Rover sold the spare parts branch for these cars to Caterpillar, just a few month before the break down.
Known failiures are blown head gaskets and worn out front axles. Early modells wer fitted with a liquid suspension system comparable to the old MG 1100 / 1300 of the late 60's and early 79's. The car is mid engined and has belt driven cams. These belts have to be renewed on regular intervals complete with their adjusters. Not quite easy to reach and it needs an enthusiast or a very good car mechanic to do this right.
When it comes to parking collisions, there are large unique polyurethane bumpers that are very fragile and hard to repair and spares and painting often come close to the complete value of the car itself when they have to be renewed.
All this in mind, is seems to be a real risk to import a car like that to the USA.
If you are after the fun it would give you driving around with one of this modern LBC's, you should also investigate about the Lotus Elise. Early cars shared the K-Series engine from the F-Type and I think they were also offered in the US?
BTW, they were also lighter than the F and performed very well.

Ralph[/quote]

Ralph, thanks for the detailed information. My friend - not me, really a friend :) - really likes the styling, and wondered what it would take. Based on your information, even it he could get one into the states, he'd need VERY deep pockets to keep it running!

All of those service problems are solvable. MGFs in Britain are so cheap that you could buy a decent car for under 2000 pounds and then have a specialist replace the head gasket and timing belt before the car was shipped. Land Rover has come up with a much improved head gasket which cures the MGF's most troublesome problem. You would probably want to have a set of stainless water lines, and a water level sensor installed at the same time, and could even go for a big brake kit and/or a hardtop if budget allows.
Hydrolastic pumps are available for sale in Britain. You could either have one shipped with the car or wait until you need one and mail order it then. (Who knows, you may never need one)
Of course Home market MGFs are all right hand drive which may or not be a problem. Left hand drive cars are available from Europe but they typically sell for several times the price of a RHD example.

Simon, I don't have one picked out but I have been keeping an eye on the market. I am starting to lean toward a British car rather than one from Japan for the reasons above.

Cheers,
Rich

Click on this URL and it should answer all of your questions.

Especially interesting is the list of approved/disapproved vehicles for show.

It appears also that the MGF may be imported as per the proviso. Ditto for some classic Minis.

I had no problems importing a 1974 Mini but had a hell of a time getting a 68 Cooper in, same border crossing same Inspector! Go figure? I finally got it in, after about 6 months, by buying a US DOT sticker and a US Emissions sticker that I dutifully placed on the edge of the door shut panel and the same Inspector breezed it right through customs like it was on greased wheels riding a 90 degree slope................





http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/

When I brought in my 1954 RHD MG Magnette the Inspector told me to guard my import paperwork as it was, in effect, as good as a title when I take it to DMV for registration.

Sometimes you just need to get the right person at the right time.

Brad