US 1965 Registration

[Titianium]

Hello,

In my research on how to register a Cobra Replica in Switzerland, Stefan make a very good point:
if the car I import has been previously register as a 1965 car in the US even if it is a new Replica then it become a veteran car for the swiss authorities and the noise / pollution tests are more easy!
Do you know in which state it is possible to have a Replica registered the same year as the original was?

Thank you for your help and all the best,
Stephane

[Clois Harlan]

I have heard that you once could do that in New Hampshire. There are companies that will do that for you too. But, I will let someone else give you the details.

Good luck.

[NeedAntiVenom]

Stephane,

As far as I am aware, none. Some people went to Titles Unlimited and other similar title services. Some states did not have titles in the 60's, these services facilitated creating a title in those states but here is the catch - you effectively commited fraud by 1) indicating it was a 1965, 2) fabricating a VIN number. I suspect, in time, all of those titles may be revoked. I can't say what effect (if any) that will have on importing a vehicle.

If you can do it by the book - do so. If you can't, IMHO, the law is broken - then do it any way you can.

Emmisions is a big problem in the US as well, but most areas have some sort of exemption if the mileage per year is low.

Best of Luck,

Jim

[britcobra]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and joined because there's some really great info on here. I've searched the forums and found some useful information about importing my Cobra into Switzerland but all the threads are about 10 years old so I'm hoping someone can provide some more current information.

Here's the situation. I imported my Pilgrm Mk3 kit from UK to California about 10 years ago. I had to import 'as parts' which basically meant no engine or tranny. This was due to CA emissions regulations. However, once in state, I dropped in an identical engine and tranny (2.3 4cyl + C3 auto) and registered it as a 1965 (based on body style). As it's classed as a 1965 and exempt from emissions testing I could have actually put any engine I wanted in it. It currently has a Ford 289 V8 with a C4 auto tanny, newly added side pipes, upgrades front brakes. So a nice mix of British and US engineering

Fast forward to now and I'm moving to Switzerland (Lausanne area) and I'd like to bring my Cobra with me. Possible?

It seems Switzerland may show similar leniency to older cars. As my Cobra has been registered as a 1965 for years now, does that carry over into Switzerland?

I also emailed someone at Cobrashop in Switzerland who seems to think I can import - just tell customs that I'm importing as part of your home inventory and I then get it tested (without emmission test). It just can't be too noisy (below 82 Db). He says its a simple inspection. Can anyone confirm?

Has anyone ben through the process fairly recently??

Thanks in advance.

[Rickd]

In Florida replicas are now titled as the year of the car that they replicate. My ERA which was purchased from ERA in January 2008 - is titled as a "1965 ERA" with the Vin number assigned by ERA on the manufacturers certificate of origin. So theoretically you could purchase a replica in the USA - ERA, Kirkham, Superformance .. and in Florida it would be titled as a "1965 ERA, Kirkham, Superformance". Good luck.

[Grubby]

Indiana allows kits to be registered as the year they represent. My ERA is titled as a 1965 Shelby American.

John

[Dwight]

Unique Motorcars ships their Cobras overseas titled as 1965, 66, 67, etc.

Call and talk to them about it. 256-546-3708

Dwight Frye

[HKreuchi]

1965 Title for Swiss DMV is not enough. You have to prove that the car was registrated. Last time they wanted tax bills an things like that.
I guess it is almost impossible to registrate replicas these days in Switzerland.

[Tommy]

BritCobra,
When you revive a thread that is ten years old, some people answer the original ten year old question rather than your recent question. You might be better off starting a new thread.