CANADIAN Cobra Owners - Help

[ROMANBUILT]

For all those Canadian guys out there, what is required when you are building the kit, in regards to Canadian law. I have been told you must have a heater-defroster, do you need Catalytics? What else do we need to put into it?

Also, could anyone recommend a freight company to bring it into Canada? And what is required in order to clear it at the border.

I just placed the order last week. Now I need to figure out what other 'special considerations' I need to make.

Thanks for the help.


Romanbuilt

[Whaler]

Roman
I am in BC we have to look at these issues provincially.
You will likely have to have an inspection done by a certified shop that does it for your province. They have the check list and I suggest you get to the shop you would have do your inspection and ask these questions.

I know there are differing requirements province to province. I get mine inspected this week.

Tim

[jamesson]

Roman,

you might want to look further into this one.
I was under the impression that no kit car can be imported into Canada unless the kit was put together 15 years ago. I am pretty sure about this but I could be wrong.
Only kits manufactured in Canada is allowed as well as some manufacturers have sales in Canada that is allowed..Superformance,Shell,FFR,Midstates etc.
Heater/Defroster is not needed. Only if car had side windows.
I know Quebec exempts these car so I did not have to worry about exhaust.

I really think you should look into this importing issue. Another work around is to remove the motor and tranny and ship the drivetrain seperate from the chasis... might fly but then again have not tried this...

Would be upsetting to get to the border and find out No Way, No How.....

Get well informed.

Do a search on this forum I posted something about this last year.
I'll try to find a link.

Cheers
Jim

[jamesson]

Ha,

I knew I'd find it.
Did I mention the search engine on this site is great.

Importing cobra kit to Canada

Cheers
Jim

[Snake]

That's great that your thinking of buying a Cobra...all fill you in on some stuff. By the way Jack21 thinks that I live in Ontario...But I live in Quebec. Not a big deal. Ok....I've being building my Cobra kit for 3 yrs...a few things left to go..but nothing major. I didn't but the kit all at once....I bought all the parts over the internet for the same kit manufacture....it's a long process...but it was well worth it. I new of a guy that bought a B&B kit....he lived in London, Ontario. I think he had bought the whole kit and tried to get threw customs..and he had problems...I think he had to split up the kit to get it threw. Man sorry I don't remember the whole story....I think I got his number some where. I bought a windsheild from Bob Weaton...he sales Cobra kit in Ontario....FFR and a new kit that is called B.R.M. Cobra...here is his Web site http://www3.sympatico.ca/bob.wheaton...ra/prodsvs.htm
He lives in Ontario..and would probably be one of the best people to talk too for getting a Cobra kit into Canada, I beleve he wil even do the brokering for you for a fee.
Here in Quebec...you have to have Wiper system with Wiper fluid jets that spray on your windsheild, Sun visor, back up lights, All lights must work, hand brake, I think a defrost unit also. Good tires, rear view mirror, heat sheild for side pipes,....I have the list that the SAAQ inspection gave me when I got my inspection...but it's in french..if you need it just e-mail me and all scan it and send it to you. In Ontario...I'm not sure what they will ask for...but I'm sure Bob would know. JUST REMEMBER IF YOU BUY A COBRA KIT...MAKE SURE YOU GET AN MSO (Manufactures Certificate of Origin For A Vehicale) With out it ...you are screwed if you want to get it registered. Trust me on this one!!! Like the other guys have said...do your home work....look at the Manufactuers and ask for references...and call them. It depends on what you want in your Cobra...do you want it as close to the original or a better fit for a tall person...there are many different cCobra kits out there.
I'm not trying to scare you in anyway..I had the frame shiped from North Dakota and I brokered it my self...it was only one item , so it wasn't a big deal...when you have lots of parts...that's where you need a broker. There's alot of good guy's and kits out there. This is the best thing you have done so far...this web site is the best and there is alot of information you can count on..these guy's here have been there and done that...so ask them use there expertise. If you need any other help just e-mail me.
Good Luck!! Snake/Gerry.

[bmercer]

romanbuilt
I recently registered my car in Ontario and hopefully I can help a little. You do not need catalytic converters as kit cars are exempt from emissions testing. Your car needs to pass a safety check like any other car, and I e-mailed MTO for all the info. I'll forward it to you by e-mail. You may not need an MSO. What some of us have done is to swear an affadavit that you present to MTO at the time of registration (I'll send you a copy of that too if you like when the time comes). When you register it, you need to be able to show that you paid taxes on all the parts you bought. Normally (and I'm having some fun with this right now) the MTO should issue you a 17 digit VIN starting with "ASD". In my case they used the frame number that showed on the affadavit. Now I'm trying to get them to change it. The other interesting thing that I encountered was with insurance. My carrier (State Farm) kept asking me what car frame my kit was built on. Turns out that they have separate categories for "kit" cars and "replica and antique" cars. They seem to define "kit" cars as those built from an existing car, where "replicas" are built from the ground up.
I presume you have looked at the Canadian manufacturers. There are some pretty good ones here. Can't help you much on the import side as mine is Canadian made but i am quite certain that you can get parts in (not a complete car). I looked at Shell Valley from the folks in Stratford. With the strength of the Canadian dollar now, their prices should be attractive as they would be for any U.S kit.

[Denis Bouchard]

Jim,

If you'd like to e-mail me I'll provide my phone number and would invite a call during evenings; I'm not an authority on this topic, but I can point you at the relevant department at Ottawa. I brought in a Contemporary during the '90's, and recently acquired one of Mr. Bruce's Coupes from Pa. Not being much of a risk taker, I dotted the i's beforehand.

If you're not a gamblin' man and would like to minimize the possiblity of being stuck with reselling the car from a border crossing, I'll relate my experiences with my cars - pardon the bad manners but I'm in a rush and can't post the ' what if's'. I liaised directly with federal DOT to obtain their blessing on what I had acquired, complete with photos. Customs interpret the DOT regulations for imported vehicles/parts, so any clarity you are able to bring the Customs Agent on behalf of DOT will lessen the anxiety for everybody.

Wise to do your research in this area beforehand. The rules are very restrictive.

Cheers...Denis

[Wayne Maybury]

I more or less agree with much of the information that has already been posted.

Firstly, you will have to pass a provincial safety inspection once the vehicle is ready for the road. The actual inspection varies depending on which province is doing it. Ontario is not the same as Quebec where my car was done.

However, the border is controlled by the Federal government so this adds some new constraints. An individual cannot import a "car" that has not been certified by the federal government, that includes virtually all kit cars. Therefore the kit must be imported as automobile parts, not a car. You must get your paperwork straight or you will not be able to pass through customs.

This is one of the main reasons that I built a Canadian Cobra. Unfortunately Johnex is no longer in business so I cannot recommend them.

Good luck,
Wayne

[ROMANBUILT]

Thanks for the helps guys, the order was placed with Shell Valley in May but I did do some homework in advance of this. I talked to the MOT and they told me that they approve kit cars for use on Canadian roads all the time. Were very friendly, told me what was expected and suggested I keep all receipts to show that I paid the appropriate taxes when I go to register the car.

Called the border, and the jerk on the other end told me absolutely not, and threated that she would have a customs agent call me to discuss the issue and anyone I know of who has imported a kit car. Needed an attitude check.

Then talked to an import/export specialist, they said that it should be claimed as parts not as a 'kit car' to reduce any confusion when crossing, and that as long as it is not assembled or more importantly without a drive train, they dont consider a kit car subject to the 15 year rule.

Regardless, I'll call the guys in St Catharines, dont want to take any chances with it.

Thanks for the help. Now, are there any Canadian (Ontario) clubs out there for the cobra Enthusiasts???

Romanbuilt

[jamesson]

Roman,

not sure about clubs, but if you're near the nations Capital give me a shout, should be able to set up a cruise.

Cheers
Jim