6G Celicas Forums

Thats doesnt sound too good but dont give up hope didnt 95WRC say he imported his GT4????

Maybe he could provide more details as to what is or is not needed.

I am just thinking if the car has to go through the DOT test why would Toyota need to write a statement saying the car met the safety standards wouldnt that come out of the DOT tests????

I didnt say it was 15,000 to 20,000 I said to me it would be a fair price.

I really cant see it costing more the 10,000 but then I dont know enough about your DOT rules & regs to know the exact cost.

I got a check list for the DOT regs but there is no mention of airbags...

1) Remove and replace the speedometer (If not already KPH)
2) Install a warning light with the word "BRAKE" into the speedometer
3) Replace headlight assemblies with DOT certified lights
4) Install a high mounting, third brake light
5) Modify/Replace door locks with US certified door locks
6) Install a tire information label
7) Replace the passenger side mirror to reflect "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR"
8) Install a seat belt & key warning buzzer
9) Install door beams into the doors to comply with side impact protection regulations (FMVSS-214)
10) Install a rollover valve
11) Install engraved VIN (vehicle identification number) plate
12) Install VIN location label
13) Install a certification label
14) Remove and document bumpers
15) If necessary, modify and reinforce bumpers to comply with US federal bumper standards (FMVSS-581)
16) Determine if there are any outstanding recalls on this vehicle
17) Remedy all outstanding recalls

To do all of that wont cost much I'm sure, but some of these things are really stupid like number 7 I mean how many cars have mirrors that show an object its exact size???? if you dont know that you should be on the road for god sake.
& number 2 what the hell read the soddin car manual, I mean what are they going to do next get you to read a note with diagrams on how to put a key in the ignition & turn the engine on everytime you drive the car????

Yeah sad story about WRC but you have to admire the workmanship of the tur-bot one guy said it was such a pro job they could believe what they were seeing

Aye but isnt that a small price to pay to be one of the only handful of people in your country to have a real GT4??? or to be one of the 2500 owners worldwide of a WRC????

Give it a few years & these cars will go classic doubling their price tag, it all depends on how much you really want the real thing or are you just happy with the bodykit & hood.

To me 15,000 even 20,000 is a fair price for such a car.

But then I really love these cars & always have since the first time I saw one back in 1997 ripping round the world rally championship here in the UK, not many cars can do what these cars can on a rally track or even on a proper track.

Check this link out

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...st05282004.html

It also gives you a list of Registered Importers for each area of the US.
It also has a link which explains the LHD & RHD rules.

It might be best to approach a Registered Importer first to get a quote, the people my mate uses are Automotive Conversions, they are not the cheapest but they are a pro outfit, they get the cars throught the DOT process & he then ships the cars on by land from there.
Basically they are an agent to deal with the legalities of the DOT process.

In Japan the GT4's & the GT4 WRC's go for the same money around 300,000 Yen which is roughly about £4,500 sterling or $2,700 USD YES $2,700 USD!!!!
& thats for a Grade 4 GT4/GT4 WRC which is mint & when I say mint I mean MINT 70,000K on the clock not a dent or scratch anywhere M I N T all over so clean you wouldnt want to drive it unless it was wrapped up in cotton wool.

Get the picture????

But then you have to pay custom charges, TAX, V.A.T, Shipping, Insurance & then getting it road legal.

But I cant see it being any more then around 8K or 9K tops.

I was told right hand drive cars are not allowed in the US but as I said I don't know I am only saying what I have been told.

Yeah they made them in left hookers but the spec is much lower then the right hooker Jap imports.

As for the EGR systems in the UK our emission control levels are way stricter then the US ones so I've been told so that shouldnt be a problem & also they have to make allowances for older car’s.
Emission standards were more for controlling the cars of the future, saying that in the UK they did change it & killed off the Escort Cosworth when it was in it’s prime… A black day in the car history that event

This is why I say there has to be a genuine interest I am no expert but my friend (Worldwide car importer/exporter) is.

Now don’t hold me to this as it’s what he has said (And he has imported a few TT’s; Aston Martin’s & TVR’s to the US using these methods.)

The first problem is you cant have right hand drive cars, (Sounds stupid to me as our country does & we have more rules & reg’s then Europe put together) so stop looking in Japan & the UK, the same models although of a lower spec are available in Europe I.E France, Spain etc these are left hand drive or you could get the Jap higher spec & purchase the left hand drive bits it’s up to you.

The next step you can go two ways.

First way is to get a registered importer in the US and go the DOT bond route.

Second way is import say 5 or 6 cars 1 of which will have to go the DOT bond route but a blue print is then made of the modifications which can then be applied to the others giving them compliance to the DOT standards but without having to pay the DOT bond on each car.

It sounds to simple to me but this guy brought over a top spec Skyline from Japan & didn’t pay any VAT or customs charges saving him twice the price of my GT4 so I have no reason to doubt him.

If there was enough interest I might be able to lay my hands on a few GT4’s & maybe a GT4 WRC or 2 & get them over to the US.

That GT4 racing the 911 race car is Tony's from Fensports if memory servers me correct that car is something else you should see the spec of it!!!!

He would of been better off with these...

http://www.quadconversions.com/Celica/celi...urner_forum.htm

Or one like these????

You mean ones like these:



They make the car look stupid if you ask me & you have to drill loads of holes all over the shop, still its your car.

You can get them from here http://www.piaa.co.uk/ select the POD's option.
They don't display the Celica car pod's but they do sell/make them so fill out the contact details.