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Old 06-11-2009, 03:16 PM   #6 (permalink)
TimMullen
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Chantilly, VA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ...m... View Post
...how did eliseusa manage it with the series 1 cars?..
They didn't get caught.

Back in the "old days" some S1 Elises were imported (illegally) and register in a couple of states. The feds didn't pay much attention. Then some guy down in Florida that was sneaking them in, got in a big street racing wreck. The feds started paying attention.

Some stories say the guy went to jail (technically for smuggling illegal cars in the US), others say that a deal was worked out. The feds tracked down and confiscated several of the cars that he imported.

About the same time, Sun International suddenly stopped with there "conversions". The story goes that the feds started looking into them, so they just stopped doing it.

Bottom line is that it's against Federal law to import a non-compliant car - you can't call one a kit either (unless is actually is a kit car like a Nobel or a Seven). The feds are much more careful now. The states many not care, but the feds do...
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Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels.

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Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/
05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple.
94 Miata R Package - Black
72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White
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