Date:         Tue, 12 Jul 2005 09:52:50 -0600
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: 88 toyota van from japan on ebay
In-Reply-To:  <b304d64c050711181418d628de@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

On 7/11/05 7:14 PM, "Don in North Carolina" <vanagondon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> 
> The thing that  makes me wonder about the "it's all legal" type
> statement is that the speedometer (and odometer) are still in KPH -
> and it doesn't have a MPH scale.  Last time I checked into this,
> changing the speedometer was one of the main things that had to be
> done for certification, unless it had a dual scale, then sometimes
> they would wave it...
> 
> -- 
> Don in Reidsville, NC
> 1986 Kawasaki Concours
> 1988 Vanagon GL (Sylvia)
> "Why do they call it a fixed income, if mine is always broke?"
> 
Depends on the year of import.  Years ago overlays were permitted.  And
earlier than that a conversion scale on the side was permitted.

I also just heard of a creative way to get a vehicle in.
The method is:
1. have engine and transmission removed drained and crated.
2. have fuel tank replaced with a brand new one in crate
3. vehicle with no fuel tank or engine or wheels crated
4. place all in a container as parts and get certified at the shipping port
5. have bonded container shipped to a "manufacturer" who then reassembles
vehicle with US approved electronics and cat converter and other safety
items required.  "Manufacturer" then has vehicle checked at an EPA testing
facility  (donšt know how that gets done but I will bet difficult for the
usual joe off the street).  Vehicle does not get sample crash tested as it
is a limited edition manufactured vehicle.

NOTE:  very expensive method but will get a vehicle in with very strange
looking but legal paperwork on completion.
Jimt