Fellow Netters,
In the hopes that some of you on this list have Caterham Super Sevens or
other "kit" vehicles and that, perhaps, you live in California, I wish to
tap your knowledge of California's (and DOT's) regulations for importing and
registering such kit vehicles. I would appreciate anything you can tell me
about what I would face if I were to get such a kit to build a vehicle.
In my case, the "kit" in which I am interested is the Foers Ibex (actually
its as-yet-unnamed replacement which is supposed to become available this
month), a space-frame-based four-wheel drive vehicle with all non-curved
bodywork. The spaceframe incorporates a roll-cage structure and is
monolithically built of rectangular steel tubing, then drilled, then hot-dip
galvanized. The bodywork is all of simply-bent pieces of galvanized or
zinc-coated steel inner and aluminum alloy outer sheets which are riveted or
bolted in place. The "kit" consists of a fully-assembled body stucture,
including seals, doors, and windows installed. Then all suspension, running
gear, steering, and many other components are to be supplied from a donor
Land-Rover vehicle, which must be one of the newer coil-sprung models,
preferably the "Defender" style ('though most could also be taken from a
Discovery or Range Rover). Many of the Ibices which have been built have
had non-Land-Rover diesel engines fitted, as they are mostly in U.K. and
Europe where petrol prices are oh, so high. I am pretty sure that there are
not yet any Foers vehicles in the Americas.
I desire to get one of these beasts and fit it with the Rover aluminum V-8,
preferably one of the newer efi models, preferrably 3.9l or larger. I have
been told that the engine that you fit determines the regulations that
apply. Is this true? If I fit a pre-1975 engine, would I not have to have
catalytic converters?
What other regulations would apply? Can I even do such a vehicle legally?
Does anyone know? Thanks in advance for any information and advice that you
can offer.
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[ G.B.Pool(Redwood Vly, CA, USA)Appraiser,R/W Agent,Land-Rover aficionado ]
[ e-mail: mcdpw@pacific.pacific.net ** Ph:(707)485-7220 H,(707)463-4265 W ]
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