He said "assets"......
Importing a Dubia model to the US (1 Viewer)
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@Sam Stewart
Have been canvassing the earth for the same 80 tranny and TCs and SA is going to be a good resource for, along with bodies and other non-US goodies.
With inside connections, it's only a matter of finding a trusted importer, one familiar with US Custons, to avoid them drilling into driveshafts and radiators....
I don't consider any of this from a profit perspective, but with the right pipeline, even the legal models to import will prove lucrative for someone willing to do the leg work establishing an SA connection.
There are a lot of 70s on many of the dealers sites, that appear to be reasonably priced and in good condition, that I'd pay a premium for, because it's petrol LHD and think others would, too.
I don't know if it's a living, a goldmibe, or a flop, but I'm only hunting one, and it holds the most promise, if an importer can be found.
I drink too much coffee to learn RHD, this late in life.
Have been canvassing the earth for the same 80 tranny and TCs and SA is going to be a good resource for, along with bodies and other non-US goodies.
With inside connections, it's only a matter of finding a trusted importer, one familiar with US Custons, to avoid them drilling into driveshafts and radiators....
I don't consider any of this from a profit perspective, but with the right pipeline, even the legal models to import will prove lucrative for someone willing to do the leg work establishing an SA connection.
There are a lot of 70s on many of the dealers sites, that appear to be reasonably priced and in good condition, that I'd pay a premium for, because it's petrol LHD and think others would, too.
I don't know if it's a living, a goldmibe, or a flop, but I'm only hunting one, and it holds the most promise, if an importer can be found.
I drink too much coffee to learn RHD, this late in life.
the other could potentially require 80% of your assets.
But an old ugly one does, too..
While I'm an LC addict, through and through, I don't mind risking a greater asset stake for an ass set on my bed.
Edited: personally, I appreciate the nearly vintage variety.
I get the idea we are no longer talking about Middle Eastern imports but then again perhaps we are.
Huh? What? Um? Someone say Middle East?
Huh? What? Um? Someone say Middle East?
You picked that up faster than the NSA !!!!!
OK, back to vehicle tech vs. spouse tech.
Here is the sequence I have mapped out for when I win the lottery:
1. Purchase new LHD HZJ78 or 79 new in Belgium (see below as ambo or hearse) with a bank wire for around USD$44,000
2. Fly to Belgium with several skilled friends (with tools)
3. Rent garage
4. Disassemble vehicle, reducing it to five elements: Cab, Front Clip, Rear Box, Engine/Trans, Frame/Diffs
5. Crate each element and ship separately
6. Import as parts
7. Reassemble, including elements of a suitable donor vehicle (an 80 series VIN/title, for example)
8. Register in a friendly jurisdiction
Done deal.
Here is the sequence I have mapped out for when I win the lottery:
1. Purchase new LHD HZJ78 or 79 new in Belgium (see below as ambo or hearse) with a bank wire for around USD$44,000
2. Fly to Belgium with several skilled friends (with tools)
3. Rent garage
4. Disassemble vehicle, reducing it to five elements: Cab, Front Clip, Rear Box, Engine/Trans, Frame/Diffs
5. Crate each element and ship separately
6. Import as parts
7. Reassemble, including elements of a suitable donor vehicle (an 80 series VIN/title, for example)
8. Register in a friendly jurisdiction
Done deal.
The frame would need to be cut up.
That's the real hang up of all this. You need a US frame with a VIN to register it under for it to be a "legal" vehicle. If you bring the frame of the non-US vehicle then you won't be able to register. I guess assuming no one ever checked the VIN on the vehicle against the title you could register ANY LC under ANY VIN assuming it was the same year/color/style (ie 96 Land Cruiser, Green, SUV) but that's assuming a lot... Not a risk I would want to take. That's a lot of time and money invested for the EPA/DOT to crush your truck in front of your tear-filled eyes....
There are two late model Land Rover Defender 110's that were imported into my home town using "creative importing" methods and one is stuck on a farm with no registration or tag and the other one is unregistered with a dealer tag installed.
Most likely they will spend many years collecting dust. Not a chance I would be willing to take.
Most likely they will spend many years collecting dust. Not a chance I would be willing to take.
Not to bicker, but:
I am here to learn, Dan....got a citation/reference regarding requirement for dissection of parts (frame) for importation?
If (for example) a 80 series is previously registered and has some 78/79 parts added later,, the state DMV folks where I live will never know the difference. No inspection, no smog, no safety check, etc. Hell, they don't even inspect entire vehicles upon first registration following importation (I have two of them).
Yes, I understand the Feds could track me down and demand to know how I come to have what is apparently a 2014 HZJ79 but unless I really piss somebody off, it just isn't likely.
Shades of gray, in any event.... Is a Proffits style swap onto an 80 frame "legal?" How much old content has to be on the truck to make it qualify as kosher?
I am here to learn, Dan....got a citation/reference regarding requirement for dissection of parts (frame) for importation?
If (for example) a 80 series is previously registered and has some 78/79 parts added later,, the state DMV folks where I live will never know the difference. No inspection, no smog, no safety check, etc. Hell, they don't even inspect entire vehicles upon first registration following importation (I have two of them).
Yes, I understand the Feds could track me down and demand to know how I come to have what is apparently a 2014 HZJ79 but unless I really piss somebody off, it just isn't likely.
Shades of gray, in any event.... Is a Proffits style swap onto an 80 frame "legal?" How much old content has to be on the truck to make it qualify as kosher?
Yummy. Belgium wome....I mean waffles.
In like Flynn, should you run short on friends and long on skill.
I'll be your huckleberry.
Need one VIN tag that matches the title here...
Actually, don't even need that.
Send the vehicle to me, pay me to store, $250 fees for title clerk, and give me three to four months.
Done deal, and yes it works, as long as one vin tag is present and there's no claim ( liens on ) to the vehicle.
Problem is, you're gonna have a very expensive FZJ80. To you and I, that's perfectly fine, 'cause I'm betting we'll both be buried in our "investments", but won't be worth much to anyone else, unless....
Your name is Jonathan Ward, because it's the same damn thing they do, with the ONLY original component being a titled frame.
Imported body panels, too!!!!
Maybe so.....maybe not.
Not going to oust anyone, though....
I looked at buying a new 7X frame, but I'm sure you know the price of that bad boy landed in a US port.
Could negotiate for ten from a Columbian importer for that.
I am not able to cite the exact reference but a vehicle has to be cut up in a manner that makes it "unable" to be (easily?) reassembled.
I know of a Mega Cruiser that was brought in in pieces and the frame had to be cut in half in order to get it in the door. The frame was cut in half lengthwise. The body was cut into 4 pieces I believe.
I know of a Mega Cruiser that was brought in in pieces and the frame had to be cut in half in order to get it in the door. The frame was cut in half lengthwise. The body was cut into 4 pieces I believe.
Yummy. Belgium wome....I mean waffles.
In like Flynn, should you run short on friends and long on skill.
I'll be your huckleberry.
Need one VIN tag that matches the title here...
Actually, don't even need that.
Send the vehicle to me, pay me to store, $250 fees for title clerk, and give me three to four months.
Done deal, and yes it works, as long as one vin tag is present and there's no claim ( liens on ) to the vehicle.
Problem is, you're gonna have a very expensive FZJ80. To you and I, that's perfectly fine, 'cause I'm betting we'll both be buried in our "investments", but won't be worth much to anyone else, unless....
Your name is Jonathan Ward, because it's the same damn thing they do, with the ONLY original component being a titled frame.
Imported body panels, too!!!!
Maybe so.....maybe not.
Not going to oust anyone, though....
I looked at buying a new 7X frame, but I'm sure you know the price of that bad boy landed in a US port.
Could negotiate for ten from a Columbian importer for that.
Buying a new frame as a part is not the same as importing a vehicle.
^^ What CDan said. 79 frame is actually very reasonable and available to the US market.
IIRC, 26 week turnaround.
IIRC, 26 week turnaround.
Chris -
I fully expect to be dead before my Toyotas are sold, tho I don't plan on using them as funeral accessories.
My name is Ward, but not Jonathan Ward. More power to him if he makes customers happy.
It is not shady.
Take a US 40 with an SBC and Aqualu body. Legit.
The 4 door 40 on an 80 chassis. Legit.
There's nothing shady about it, especially if you use the 80 chassis, which is remarkable close
to the 78/79.
Who is not already building Theseus' new ship anyway?
I've got an Australian Pigs ass going on a body with parts from four other Pigs, that I'll pick a title for.
I spoke to the title clerk and the state about a "concept" of building a "one off" vehicle that wouldn't have a VIN or title and they said to document it, with receipts to asses value, and they'd issue one after an inspection.
When I asked who'd inspect, they really weren't sure, since we don't even require the service, anymore.
Haha. I know your name.
My point was, it's no different than what Icon does, in any respect.
One titled frame nets a $100k 40.
One titled frame gets you anything you want, for probably similar money.
Being the body, interior, drivetrain in on separate shipments, if it's even necessary and reassemble on a US 80 frame.
All it takes is good connections and long, long arms.
That would likely fall under a "home-built" category I do believe.
