Cars from Canada to US

How hard is it to bring in cars from Canada? any restrictions,problems,etc. How easy is the registration process (Calif) Any and all info would be appreciated. Thanks

Henry or Paula (Henry's mother) at IM can probably tell you what you would need to do for US Customs. Registration in California will depend on the car - VW pan-based or tube frame? Best to check with your local DMV; explain exactly (key word, exactly) what you want to do and ask them what you have to do, and get it in writing if possible so there's no problems after the fact.

Henry makes the process very simple and straight forward. The fact is that the car is essentially a US built car. That is, though the body is done in Canada, the engine is installed in Washington state. He delivered my new Pre-A Speedster to Portland in mid-June and all I had to do was go through Oregon state licensing and registration. The trick is never to mention the 'C' word. It raises all kinds of import questions to the DMV. Check out Intermeccanica's website for FAQ's pertaining to bringing them into country and I'm sure Henry would also be happy to answer any other questions you have.

Beware, though, every state is different. NY originally registered my 2001 IM Roadster as a 59 Porsche, and then a year later changed it's mind and I had to devote several months to straightening it out. In NY, if they think it's a custom, then you have to provide SAE part numbers, etc. and it can be dicey. Henry was great about sending documents and speaking to the NY DMV people to get it done.

I ran into similar problems when I tryed to register the California made JPS in Oregon. The first gal I went to was totally confused when she saw the car to check the vin # against the California title. The Ca title said it was a 67 VW and her and her supervisor said it didn't look like a VW, duh! They wanted me to get a bill of sale from JPS or other documentation to indicate what it was. John Steele was kind enough to send up the documentation and the next week I went in and got a "car" guy to issue plates and a new title. The title will read 57 Porsche Replicar. That is OK with me as it might be easier to sell if and when I ever have to. I think it matters who you draw at the DMV. Luckily the second time I got a guy who knew what it was. Bureocracy is the same all over it seems. They try to make you feel like a jerk when you are trying to be legal. Guess the longer they can stall things it becomes job security to them.

Bruce