The Rover engine also came in a 160 hp 1800 cc version. Should bolt straight in.

 

The Series 1 Elise and Lotus 340R can not be imported to the USA. Both are on The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) has a list of banned cars.

16 Cars That Are Banned In The US

These awesome cars were banned from American roads.

www.hotcars.com

Kiyoshi

 

That article is misleading. That list of cars is just one that have been rejected as not being eligible for the show and display exemption. Someone applied to bring those on via the show and display exemption, they said that it doesn’t meet the criteria, and put all of the rejects on a list so people don’t keep asking. Once they are 25 years old, they are eligible.

From the article: “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) has a list of banned cars that isn't exhaustive, but is extensive and lists 18 pages of foreign cars which either aren't old enough to be imported, or don't pass requirements for some other reason.”

 

Interesting read at Importing a Vehicle | NHTSA

 

I strongly considered importing one, even talked to several owners in the UK interested in selling, but in the end I chickened out, and the prices were going to be close to what the S2 cost at the time and I decided it wasn't worth it. Still dying for one though. I'll get one someday, but need a backseat for now.

 

The notes on one of my shots from Log34.

"Steering wheel shot of my favorite car at the meet. I fell in love with this 100% UK-spec 2001 Elise. It was converted to LHD by Lotus before these cars were even able to be Imported, and brought over under a reconstruction title. Car is MINT, less than 10K on the clock, and FOR SALE! I don't have a picture of the full car at the moment.

"

 

Another couple of shots. Not sure why I don't have a full exterior shot in that album. But anyway, it has been, an can be done, way before the 25 year thing.

 

Interesting. I was aware of the Sun International cars, which aren't technically Lotus, and was aware of cars brought over for racing which can't be street registered (not Federally legal even if you find some DMV willing to give you a title). So definitely agreed that they have been here previously, but at least now they can be brought over and registered for the street totally legally.

 

according to this list

Lotus Production By Model 1973-2014

The Europa S 2006-09. It is a fine looking car! Update news: To see a more accurate and up to date article, please click here . Howev...

raycee1234.blogspot.com

Only 400 some calendar year 1996 Elises were produced.
over 2000 97 year.

SO next year will be easier

 

Found it.

 

Here's the thing he had in the window, and his cell number lol!

 

I reached out. This car was apparently sold 7-8 years ago and is no longer for sale.

 

We're any of the early S1's made LHD and exported to a LHD country? Just because they didn't make them for the US market....

 

Absolutely! They are just hard to find and the most desired here in mainland Europe.
My 97 and 99 Elise are both original Belgium cars and original LHD.

 

There are a number of them here.

There was a window of time about 20 years ago that a certain port had a, uhh, security glitch that allowed quite a few in. I think many were chased down, but uhhm, rumor is that if you had a situation where you did not need a registration it would be very difficult to find you.

those cars will always be illegal

 

There are some in the US that were imported by LCU and sold as track cars. I owned a Elise Sport 190 (190hp rover motor) and the Exige S1. They were basically German spec cars that had rollbars, fire systems etc in them. Funnest cars I've ever owned and I've owned everything... Here's pics:

 

There are some in the US that were imported by LCU and sold as track cars. I owned a Elise Sport 190 (190hp rover motor) and the Exige S1. They were basically German spec cars that had rollbars, fire systems etc in them. Funnest cars I've ever owned and I've owned everything... Here's pics:

Awesome! The S1 Exige is sweet. Even better once those ones can be imported legally and driven on the road. I haven't owned a track-only car, but it seems that unless you can make it to the track a lot, that being able to enjoy the car on the street sometimes allows you to get much more enjoyment out of the car. Assuming it's not miserable on the road...

 

Hmmm. How do you attach a US license plate? The mounting area is sized for the long, thin UK/European plates.

 

I've got a car from the UK currently, my plate fit in the slot, I just had to drill new holes in it to fit. That one looks even tighter than mine though so I would probably trim the top or bottom or both off, leaving the actual plate number full and I think you'd be fine.

 

Does anyone know for sure if importing a car with significant performance mods or an engine swap is problematic for a 25 year old car? To Indiana, not California, that is. E.g., if wanted an S1 Elise that already had a bunch of performance mods or an engine swap to a higher performance Rover engine or Honda swap. I think the answer is that it’s not a problem (except maybe for California) if the car is 25 years old, but if someone else has looked into this I’d love to hear the answer.
Thanks!

 

Does anyone know for sure if importing a car with significant performance mods or an engine swap is problematic for a 25 year old car? To Indiana, not California, that is. E.g., if wanted an S1 Elise that already had a bunch of performance mods or an engine swap to a higher performance Rover engine or Honda swap. I think the answer is that it’s not a problem (except maybe for California) if the car is 25 years old, but if someone else has looked into this I’d love to hear the answer.
Thanks!

My understanding is the car needs to meet the emissions standards of the state it is being registered in. That is why California is so problematic with import cars, even if they are 25-years old. Most of the cars never met the standards to begin with and I don't think they qualify for SB100 exemptions.

 

There is a yellow one here at LOG40. I’ll try to point the owner to this thread so they can share the importing process.

 

Would love to hear more about this if anyone else has done it. An S1 Elise would be a dream to own

 

From my Sun International Lotus S1 files

Importer claims he'll sell you a legal Lotus Elise

Importer claims he'll sell you a legal Lotus Elise

www.autoweek.com

Lotus Elise Press 1999, Illegal USA Entry of the Elise

Registered importers bring in the Lotus Elise, perhaps illegally.

www.sandsmuseum.com

Not your everyday Elise - 1999 Lotus Elise B18C

The original Elise was never intended for sale to the American public. It wasn't until 2005 that we were offered the Toyota-powered Series 2...

greyintheusa.blogspot.com

Honda Powered Elise?

I've had 5 people on 3 occasions tell me that some models of Elise/Exige are Honda powered from the factory. Is there any merit to this? As far as I knew it was either Rover or Toyota.

www.lotustalk.com

S1 Sun speed or other fed legal S1 Elise wanted

I fell in love with the S1 long before the S2 existed, but I was not aware of there being any form of US legal S1 until recently when I was looking into importing a 96, I learned about the Sun speed or Sun international cars where they built them as a kit with a honda engine. If anyone has one...

www.lotustalk.com

Bringing in a UK Elise to USA

Hi! I am an American that has been living in Europe for many years. I am moving back to the US early 2019 and would like to bring my Elise SportsRacer with me. The orange Elise I will sell. I read in previous threads that I will not be able to put it on the road until it is a classic. Is this...

www.lotustalk.com

Driving the Lotus Elise S1, 25 Years Later

We get behind the wheel of the original Elise, just in time to legally import one into the U.S.

www.roadandtrack.com

1 of 3 Sun International Lotus Elise's With B18C5 Swap Hits The Market - Alt Car news

Lotus Elise S1's aren't legal in the United States, however, these imported Elise's with ITR engines are. There are only three and one is now for sale.

tiremeetsroad.com

Sun International Lotus Elise Type R

This is what happens to a shifter kart when it grows up.

www.caranddriver.com

19-Years-Owned B18-Powered 1996 Lotus Elise 5-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 19-Years-Owned B18-Powered 1996 Lotus Elise 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #29,096.

bringatrailer.com

 

If anyone is thinking of importing a S1 Elise don't forget to think of the Japanese cars. Last year I bought this lovely black S1 111S (VVC engine - 143bhp)

which had recently been brought back from Japan to the UK. Underneath it was immaculate, no corrosion, which would be quite severe on most UK cars.

Also have a Elise Motorsport project (the predecessor to the S1) - this one has a Audi 20v turbo engine (500bhp) wider. larger wheels with widened clams.

The S1 is such a classic shape, best of them all.

 

The Motorsport Elise always had the full roof scoop, rather than the one that started halfway back on the roof, ala s1 Exige. They also had a central driving position and the louvered engine cover as opposed to the glass engine cover on the S1 Exige. They also had a very highly tuned K series engine.

 

Hayes at WireWheel has 2 2000 Motorsport Elises with the scoop halfway back and each with two seats.

Maybe because his are strictly race cars?

2000 Lotus Elise Motorsport for sale

2000 Lotus Elise Motorsport for sale

www.wirewheel.com

 

Yes very rare cars which explains the price, I should have said MS Elise usually had a full roof scoop and central seating, some didn't and you're right.
Just to be clear, mine is not a genuine MS Elise, it is a replication of this car, with an Audi engine.

 

I've been watching Japan, but haven't seen any pop up at auction and don't have visibility on any private sales. I'm surprised that there haven't been more imported by now but I've only been able to confirm 1 import so far. Both your cars look amazing!

 

Thanks, the guy I bought my (Japan) car from, has an agent who finds suitable cars for him and arranges the shipping. Don't have any more details though.

 

If anyone would be interested in importing an Elise S1,I might be able to help as my best friend and I connected with many other Lotus enthusiasts in Europe, sharing the same passion and enjoying these fantastic cars.
Current price mainland Europe are from 20k (for a basket case) to 50K (Top range 100% stock ,full history very low mileage, original LHD , early model Alu engine cover, MMC discs)

 

yes you can start importing them but shipping costs have skyrocketed im guessing over $5k from an English port to the east coast it used to be under $1k last year roll on roll off to jacksonville fl.im literally afraid to call the shipping company these days for a price ,2 toys are just waiting across the pond for now

 

Would it make sense to create a new topic : Lotus import?
Maybe costs can be reduced with a combined request?
Would be great to share experiences and learn about import/export.

 

As a pricing data point: I got a detailed quote from Schumacher Logistics (just found on a google search, no experience with them) in Sep 2021 that was $6350 plus 6% of declared value, all in, picked up in the UK, transported to Indiana. ($1250 of that was from US port to Indiana). I got another rough estimate that was around $7k USD to import a 22k GBP car (to a US port).

I didn’t end up doing it, but the pricing was definitely higher than I expected.

 

As a pricing data point: I got a detailed quote from Schumacher Logistics (just found on a google search, no experience with them) in Sep 2021 that was $6350 plus 6% of declared value, all in, picked up in the UK, transported to Indiana. ($1250 of that was from US port to Indiana). I got another rough estimate that was around $7k USD to import a 22k GBP car (to a US port).

I didn’t end up doing it, but the pricing was definitely higher than I expected.

I would recommend just getting a container, ideally a split container, which will fit 4 small cars like the Elise easily. You can also pack the container with whatever else you want - spares, etc. I've shipped over a dozen cars this way and it is much much less expensive than RO/RO shipping.

 

I wonder why they base part of the price on value. Maybe insurance.

Generally I hate folks who want to play both sides of the deal. For example, floor space in a shopping mall or a county fair is often priced as $X per square foot PLUS a percentage of your gross receipts! C'mon, you're either a vendor (and charge rent) or a partner (and participate in the risk/reward). But no, they extort from both sides... they want a piece of your action if you're successful, but they also want a guaranteed minimum if you're failing. I've turned down many "deals" like that after explaining exactly why.

 

Value-based pricing is a thing. If people will pay it, vendors will charge it.