Grey Market ???'s
 

Everyone keeps saying its nothing but a pain to get a European car into the US, but whats the deal with the "substantially similar US vehicle list" that NHTSA has. Doesnt that make it a bunch easier to just ship it and then have it pass EPA reg.'s. I should think a real restrictive Cat would solve the problem then just take it off after it passes. Or maybe i dont understand the list, does it still require all the ridiculous safety junk, then why would there be a list? I tried asking DOT and NHTSA but they referred me back to eachother....:confused:

Its not a matter of whats different, but that it is. The certification process used to be just a matter of documenting properly modifications or common systems as they exist. Having a customs atorney for the first few was always necessary.

We brought in about 30 cars in a couple years starting in 1984. The venture stopped when the feds buckled to manufacturer claims of discrimination. The manufacturers whined that their systems had to last 50K for some huge portion of the fleet. They couldn't understand how the government was letting hucksters whip a car through testing that didn't have a chance of making it around the block.

Some where along in the late 80's the deal was changed and any converter had to act as a manufacturer with destructive testing and model certification. The process was left to a few who wished to do just a few models.

Importing a complete car is more than just meeting emissions. It has to be done by a bonded importer and the company doing the conversion has to certify the conversion and issue a guarantee/warranty on the parts and work done. There will also be the collection of a "duty tax" on the import as well. Given the financial commitment by an importer, it's easy to understand that it's costly and usually only done by enthusiast on fairly expensive vehicles.

Alrighty, so is it then possible to order all the AMG parts to a 1992 car from a Mercedes dealership. I'd ask the locals but I'd be in the lobby watching Oprah on a big-screen for 30 minutes waiting for a yokel to say he doesnt know.

There was no AMG package offered as a factory option in a 1992 MB so I doubt a US dealership can order an AMG kit for you. They might be able to help with AMG wheels, suspension and trim bits but certainly no engine parts. Besides, a complete new AMG kit for a 1992 model will cost more than the current blue book value of any 1992 MB.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $1100, see cars forum

Can you get an older car that meets your needs? The gray market thrived into the late '80s, and there are many euro cars stateside.

No i wish I could, but the target automobile is a 24V 3.4 Hammer 300CE, and they only made like 29 or something, in that year.And of course the 24V didnt come along until at least 90. I dont think i'd ever see antoher one. I was cooking up an idea, just go over there, take the thing apart and put the engine and trans. in my car and when I get more funding make the european car compliant to US. Loopholes, i think i heard of a guy doing about the same thing with an Opel, shipping it in parts.

How important is the 'real thing'?
Have you talked to RennTech?
They were building Hammer replicas in the US using actual AMG parts back then. Perhaps they could help you locate one of these.

http://www.renntechmercedes.com/

The real thing isnt a deal, i just want a fast 300CE, that has a 24V 104 engine, prior to the 3.2 version. I saw renntechs stuff it was a bit much, but i did not know about the Hammer replicas. I will ask them thanks.