Originally Posted by
xr-stu
is there not like a way of getting the cars emissions checked over there and certified that its below the maximum 'smog' limit or whatever they call it?
although a very simple way round this problem is just to import only vehicles with the 3.9/4.0 V8 or whatever was fitted to the US spec defender when they were sold?
lets make things easier (maybe). what if i wanted to import a 1995-1997 (or whatever the years are they were sold in the USA) V8 defender, same model essentially as was sold back in the 90's. i realise that there may be some differences in the bumpers, reflectors, indicators or whatever, but you would assume the emissions would be the same, or near enough (maybe remap required?) and itd be possible to get one through that side of things with minimal agro?
I think you might be "barking up the wrong tree" as the NA Defender was specifically built for North America and had things like a roll cage and relocated fuel tank (inboard) so forget about it as I have imported Defenders in to Canada and I ran a Land Rover dealership. Here in Canada the only L Rovers allowed in are NA Defenders and ones that are 15 yrs old. As a general rule they have to be 25 yrs old to get in to the states. People get others in and change the VIN number and paperwork to match but if you are caught look out as they will make you export it immediately or they will cut it up in front of you and you have no claim to the parts