Call Customs. I've spoken to them a couple times, I've been looking into G-Wagons after I sell a car or two and make room in the Garage. If you get the right person on the phone they can be super helpful and answer all your questions.

There is a small form for cars over 25 years old, its like a half sheet. You can clear it through customs yourself, or a lot of the companies that transport the cars will do the paperwork for a few bucks more. Passport ships a lot of cars locally for a friend of mine, and they offer an import service. They've got partner companies in Europe who can pick the car up and take it to port. Its not a big deal to get one in. Given the exchange rate, and the cost of shipping. I'd look for cars worth more than $8,000 if you intend to make a business out of this.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

There is no smog check on pre 98 diesels in California. I've seen a lot of odd european cars registered here. Theres really no special barrier getting it into the state.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/tjts2/pug1.jpg

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Newer cars cost average 5K to import according to an importer I talked to. He was the one who does all the exotics in socal. I forgot the name.
As far as I remember I was told by the CARB rep that all gas cars post 77 must pass emissions wherever they come from. To be honest I dont quite remember that completely part since my car is diesel. These are 25yo diesels were discussing so it doesn't really matter. My bad. No need for concern.
Vehicles brought in when the car was less than 25 years old must meet all requirements no matter what year the car is. thats why all those no smog states have the unmolested euros. Cali euros are heavily modified.

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Chris
84 280sl
82 300d euro

That would sell higher and faster than the other here in Texas. I was just talking to the wife about looking for one for us last night

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

It's going to be that one I'll ship. A/C and 4-matic, no rust, straight and never messed with. Leather interior too.
I need it for towing, this coming winter as I'll sell my '98 RAM cummins. After winter when going back to Europe it'll be up for sale.

Thanks for the input on importing you guys, expect a PM in the near future.
I may bring a 300GD turbo with a five speed as well. It has a little rust though which makes me unsure. Maybe my '77 landcruiser diesel?

how nice, Europe is in crisis and sells their toys cheap!

No problem with cars over 25 years of age or older!

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.