Has anyone on the forum from Canada had success with importing a Fiero Kit car into Canada?
If one reviews the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) website http://www.riv.ca/VehicleAdmissibility.aspx they have a statement under their Kit cars heading which states "......A kit car is not permitted entry unless it was assembled 15 years ago or more and the importer can submit proof of age, such as a registration document. The age of a kit car is determined by the date of assembly rather than the model year of the reproduction or the date of manufacture of a donor car. If in doubt, contact Transport Canada for a determination of the kit car's admissibility." This statement leads one to believe there is an opportunity for a kit car more than 15 years old to be admissible into Canada.
I contacted Transport Canada and was advised that any car from the United States which has been modified in any way from its original manufacture, other than regular maintenance, is not admissible into Canada no matter what age, and even if the vehicle is more than 15 years old. The Transport Canada agent advised that a vehicle which has been modified and brought to a Canadian border crossing for importation must be returned to the US or could be impounded by CBSA and destroyed!
There are a few Fiero kit cars for sale in Canada and I suspect some of them may have originated from the US. If anyone has a success story about importing a kit car from the US into Canada, please let me know and Thank You in advance for any assistance you can provide in this regard.
EDIT: Were Mera's ever sold in Canada; does anyone in Canada currently own a Mera? ------------------ New owner of Silver 88 Fiero GT and second time owner of 1985 Fiero GT. Bought my first fully loaded Fiero GT new in 1985. Fiero's are Fabulous, Fix'em and have Fun! Note, Avatar picture is Mr. Bean (not me, ha ha).
[This message has been edited by canfirst (edited 01-19-2012).]
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01:31 AM
PFF
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Stubby79 Member
Posts: 7064 From: GFY county, FY. Registered: Aug 2008
Start with a Canadian vehicle and send it to the US to get modified? Get yourself a US address and plates? Far from legal, but you could swap VINs...or move all the kit stuff onto your Fiero, though you might as well just buy a kit at that point... So, yeah, sorry...no real help here! Soundslike a pain in the assunless you happen across one with all the documentation. I guess you couldnt techincally even go buy a fiero that's had an engine swap from across the border.
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02:53 AM
Reallybig Member
Posts: 974 From: Calgary Alberta Canada Registered: Mar 2011
There was a company in Alberta which had a custom SUV limo built in the US and was not allowed entry into Canada because it was modified. It would have to undergo standard crash tests to prove it meets Canadian criteria...at which point the vehicle would be destroyed. There was a long legal battle and eventually it made it to the streets of Calgary. (or so I remember) You can import "car parts" from the US. You can import every "car part" needed to make that kit car but not the completed car itself. The car would have to be disassembled to the point that it qualified as "car parts" to gain entry and then reassembled once in Canada. NEVER list them as "kit car part". It apparently sends up red flags and the shipment would be carefully inspected. You would need to find out how far a kit car would have to be taken apart to qualify as "parts". I'm sure you could import a completed car door even though it is made up of many parts. But a rolling chassis with a lambo shell would probably not qualify. Maybe if it didn't have the wheels on it. The one piece body without the hoods or doors might have to be removed, shipped separate and listed as car parts, not a kit car. You get the idea.
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04:12 AM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
That's very strange so Canada can receive all sorts of Japanese imports that the U.S. didn't get and there's no issue legalizing them, yet there's issues legalizing a kit car built on a U.S. car? It seems like to a large degree they would fall into the same boat, since neither a Japanese import not for the North American market nor a kit car built in the U.S. would have been crash tested in Canada.
[This message has been edited by Fiero84Freak (edited 01-17-2012).]
It's an ongoing battle for all Kit car enthusiasts, but the above forum mentions a Transport Canada official who may be able to advise and assist on this matter.
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03:10 PM
pavo_roddy Member
Posts: 4351 From: State with a city named Gotham Registered: Apr 2004
I am not canadian anymore but I go to a site called madmechanincs.com It used to be Ari's kitcar forum, the name change allowed a larger group to gather there, and one sticky thread is all about your question. Like I said I am aware of its importance with the people involved yet that is as far as the story goes. I think its in the general disscusion area, pretty sure, just have been there less and less these last couple of weeks.
Thanx all, G'day!
Ear-ick.
------------------ Me, I sell engines, the cars are for free, I need something to crate the engines in.... Enzo Ferrari....
Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines.... Enzo Ferrari...
Today they are called garage's, yesterday, they were stable's! Eric Jacobsen.... An advancement, of other voices I came across.
S.F??, hint, it's a car manufacturer....
Do not walk infront of me, I may not follow. Do not walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend forever. -unknown- found here: http://crystal-cure.com/love-quote.html
Life's best tour guides? Contrast and mixture. One sets things apart yet cohesively, the other seperates associatingly.
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03:39 PM
Reallybig Member
Posts: 974 From: Calgary Alberta Canada Registered: Mar 2011
That's very strange so Canada can receive all sorts of Japanese imports that the U.S. didn't get and there's no issue legalizing them, yet there's issues legalizing a kit car built on a U.S. car? It seems like to a large degree they would fall into the same boat, since neither a Japanese import not for the North American market nor a kit car built in the U.S. would have been crash tested in Canada.
If the car from Japan was modified, it would fall into the same catagory I would imagine. Let's face it, many kit cars would not meet the crash rating of the car it is based on(cut,stretched frames etc).
[This message has been edited by Reallybig (edited 01-17-2012).]
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03:45 PM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
I have imported only one car into Canada, and that was a 1990 Saab. I contacted the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) and talked to a lady who seemed quite knowledgeable. This was a few years ago (probably about 5), but she said the rules were that you could import any vehicle you want from the US except for a few specific vehicles (they have a list). If the vehicle is newer than 15 years old you have to pay duty, then it has to have an "Import Inspection"-- this is basically a matter of making sure the car's speedo has markings for kilometers/hour and installing daytime running lights. She asked what year the car was that I had bought and when I said 1990, she said they weren't interested in it. In fact --her words-- she said "As long as it's 15 years old or more, you can import a flying saucer and we wouldn't care as it's not our jurisdiction." Is the car still registered as a 198x Fiero? If it is, I don't think they will give you a hard time. Just tell them it is a bolt-on body kit and doesn't affect the car's structure. When we brought the car to the border (we had to get the paperwork to the US side 3 days in advance so they could make sure the car wasn't stolen) the US border guards acted like we were at a military checkpoint-- all business, no patience. We were supposed to know how everything worked before we got there and they had no patience for questions or delays. When we got to the Canadian side they seemed like a bunch of teenagers and they had never done anything like this before. They even told us that we would have to pay a tax if the car had air conditioning and then asked me if it did. I said that it originally did, but didn't work and this really seemed to confuse them!!! I think it is all in who you talk to on that day.
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04:53 PM
PBJ Member
Posts: 4167 From: London, On., Canada Registered: Jan 2001
You can not import a kit car into Canada! No ifs ands or buts...no fine print. Now when I imported my fiero this summer it was easy (older than 15 years) and no one even wanted to come out and look at it when I crossed the border. It easily could have been a kit/fiero. I would choose one of Stubby79's options myself
Pete
------------------
88 3800 turbo thanks to AkursedX and Sinister Performance
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06:24 PM
Rick 88 Member
Posts: 3914 From: El Paso, TX. Registered: Aug 2001
When we got to the Canadian side they seemed like a bunch of teenagers and they had never done anything like this before. They even told us that we would have to pay a tax if the car had air conditioning and then asked me if it did. I said that it originally did, but didn't work and this really seemed to confuse them!!! I think it is all in who you talk to on that day.
A friend bought and imported an 88 porsche. He put a new set of tire on before driving the car across the border. The Canadian border guys found a receipt for the tires in the glove box and made him pay additional taxes or duty as a result. I don't get it either.
PBJ could you fill me in as to what Stubby79's options are? Thanks!
quote
Originally posted by Stubby79:
Start with a Canadian vehicle and send it to the US to get modified? Get yourself a US address and plates? Far from legal, but you could swap VINs...or move all the kit stuff onto your Fiero, though you might as well just buy a kit at that point... So, yeah, sorry...no real help here! Soundslike a pain in the assunless you happen across one with all the documentation. I guess you couldnt techincally even go buy a fiero that's had an engine swap from across the border.
Is what he's referring to, like the third post in this thread.
On another note, I've seen a lot of other - non-fiero related - posts on other forums in the past week or two, and they all say the same thing: You can't do it! I pitty the guy who sent his motorcycle over to get converted to a trike and couldn't get it back after.
And the ironic thing is that you can do just about whatever you dang well please to your car in this province!
[This message has been edited by Stubby79 (edited 01-31-2012).]
Another thought I had about getting the Ferrari replica into Canada was to have it shipped to a US storage facility close to the Canadian border, go there when the car arrives and strip off as many panels, emblems, etc as possible and bring them back as used parts. Then go back a second time with a trailer and pickup the car as a used Fiero rolling chassis.
I would have to get the owner to send me two bill of sales with different sale dates, one for the body panels and the other for the chassis. Seems like a lot of work, but I think it would be worth the effort, and it's only a 1 1/2 hour drive to the US border. Would you or anyone else following this thread have any comments or suggestions regarding this approach?
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10:30 AM
The Prezzzz Member
Posts: 836 From: Greenfield, WI USA Registered: Sep 2001
Just get a nice, clean, rust free 88 GT without all this drama, mismatching/unreplaceable panels, and wannabe badges and cheesy giant spoilers suited to a 17 year old kid
There are at least 4-5 really mint 88 GTs here in Ontario for sale. I can check them out for you. Let me know. I am heading to Alberta in the spring and can drive one and drop one off for you in Winterpeg...
Cam-a-lot/Pete, thanks for giving my head a shake and a reality check!
You've seen my Avatar, I should probably be looking for an Austin mini with a left hand drive to boot! LOL! You're absolutely right, I should give-up any illusions about owning a replica Fiero (unless a Mera or an Enterra Vipre shows-up on my door step) and stick with a good classic original Fiero.
The red 88 GT on eBay looks nice, but its mileage is a bit too high. My current 88 GT has 84K, so there's not much difference. I think I will hold-out for another low mileage yellow 88 GT (like the one I won on eBay and couldn't get the seller to honor their agreement), with a sunroof (or TTops) and preferably automatic transmission (I'm too old or lazy to shift gears).
Thank you very much for your very generous offer to find me a Fiero out east and delivering it to Winterpeg, that is so kind and thoughtful of you! If your ever out in this part of the country, give me a shout and perhaps we could hook-up and share a few beers while looking over my Fiero. Cheers, John
------------------ New owner of Silver 88 Fiero GT and second time owner of 1985 Fiero GT. Bought my first fully loaded Fiero GT new in 1985. Fiero's are Fabulous, Fix'em and have Fun! Note, Avatar picture is Mr. Bean (not me, ha ha).
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12:49 AM
Feb 3rd, 2012
cam-a-lot Member
Posts: 2210 From: Barrie- Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
p.s. There is a decent number of mint 88 Fiero GTs for around $6-7k with automatic. Instead of wiating for a yellow one and potentially overpaying for it, have you considered buying another color and just giving it a nice fresh coat of paint, something nicer than the stock mustard looking 88 yellow.. For example, the Mercedes yellow that is on this beauty?
A fresh coat of yellow paint on an otherwise mint car will probably look better than a 20+ year old stock color, and cost you about the same as waiting for, and possibly overpaying for a stock 88 yellow
I still think this one may be worth considering..http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120852954849#ht_842wt_1182
My 88 GT has around 90,000 miles on it, but it is absolutely mint. I could roll back the odometer to 30,000 miles and people would believe it... 60,000 "real" miles on an 88 car are very reasonable if it was well taken care of. There are a ton of cars with swapped dashes, rolled back odometers, or the owner drove around with the speed sensor unplugged for a few years to keep the mileage low. That is why personally I look at condition and wear, not mileage.. Being a Texas car, you are a lot less likely to get hidden rust than anything up here.
Just my 2 cents..
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 02-03-2012).]
Cam-a-lot, exnay on painting another color Fiero yellow. Thanks for the suggestion though. I'm a diehard stock Fiero enthusiast. My Fiero must maintain its original factory color, repainting is OK as long as it matches the original factory color. If my silver 88 GT with 84K had a sunroof I would definitely keep it because it is in near show car condition. I would just like a sunroof for summertime cruising (picky, picky in my old age aren't I?). I like the silver color, but I seem to have a predisposition for yellow (although my first new 85 GT was red). I use to have a brand new yellow 2 door 76 Pontiac Ventura with a white vinyl interior.....it was a really sharp looking car, but then I traded it in a year later for an extended 75 Dodge van and converted it into a shaggy camper van to take my young family camping. Oh well, them was the days....back to Fiero's, if you come across a yellow one, could even be an 87 GT, you know what to do, LOL!
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03:35 AM
Feb 5th, 2012
Reallybig Member
Posts: 974 From: Calgary Alberta Canada Registered: Mar 2011
Reallybig, thanks for the lead! I had already contacted the seller and found out that both he and the Lambo are located here in Winnipeg! He said it would break his heart to sell it locally and then see it being driven around Winnipeg, as he was so emotionally attached to it, so he listed it in Alberta Kijiji. Also, the price tag is way too rich for my wallet. My toy budget is $10K max.
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04:26 AM
PFF
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cam-a-lot Member
Posts: 2210 From: Barrie- Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
Cam-a-lot, Dumb me, this is what happens when I respond to my posts really late at night! I just realized that factory yellow wasn't available on 87 Fiero's! Forget that idiotic comment! I will stick with my quest for a yellow 88 GT. My apology!
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11:22 PM
Feb 6th, 2012
Reallybig Member
Posts: 974 From: Calgary Alberta Canada Registered: Mar 2011
He said it would break his heart to sell it locally and then see it being driven around Winnipeg,
For 30k he can buy some glue, stick his heart back together and get over it. Sorry but I just don't have patience for problems like his. Nice car though. I'd be reluctant to buy it and bring it to Alberta. I know of a guy who bought several fieros from Manitoba and two didn't pass provincial inspection...mechanic reported "cracks" in the frame which condemned them to parts cars. Ironically one was yellow. You really gotta do your homework with this kinda stuff. Best to have a "friend mechanic" you trust check things out. Best of luck in your search for a yellow 88! My personal chosen fiero would be a fully loaded yellow 88 formula with T-tops and it would have to be factory so I know where you are coming from.
so Canada can receive all sorts of Japanese imports that the U.S. didn't get and there's no issue legalizing them, yet there's issues legalizing a kit car built on a U.S. car? It seems like to a large degree they would fall into the same boat, since neither a Japanese import not for the North American market nor a kit car built in the U.S. would have been crash tested in Canada.
