Any info on exporting an FPV to America?

Totenkopf · 15-11-2006, 05:05 AM

Hi guys. I live in America, and I'd like to import an FPV. Has anyone done this, or know anyone that has experience with it? Are there any companies that specialize in this?

I'm interested in an F6 Typhoon or GT-P...or maybe one of the new Force 6 or Force 8s. You guys have a good selection of Ford performance cars. SVT is down to one model here.

ltd · 15-11-2006, 08:24 AM

I'd suggest tracking down any companies that specialise in exotics that are imported to the US and asking them for assistance. What state do you live in? In California there are companies that specialise in exporting cars like the 67 mustang, they may be able to give you some good info on who to talk to.
Good luck with it though, I have seen an F6 around Whitefish Montana, so someone else has obviously done it. You could also try your local Ford Mercury Lincoln dealer, some of those guys will be another good source of info. Best of luck with it mate.

photn · 15-11-2006, 08:59 AM

wow never knew people from amaerica want to import Australian Cars. i always thought it was the other way round. cool. i hope all goes well mate

billij · 15-11-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

wow never knew people from amaerica want to import Australian Cars. i always thought it was the other way round. cool. i hope all goes well mate

Our range of Ford performance Cars and even just the XR series are way above what they can get in the US. Problem is our cars dont do winter very well over there.

I saw an artical in a US mag where they road tested the XR range and a Territory they loved the cars.

photn · 15-11-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billij

Our range of Ford performance Cars and even just the XR series are way above what they can get in the US. Problem is our cars dont do winter very well over there.

I saw an artical in a US mag where they road tested the XR range and a Territory they loved the cars.

so like better features and build quality

Totenkopf · 15-11-2006, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I'm in Atlanta, Georgia. I'll probably end up opting for the F6 Typhoon (or Force 6) if I can manage to get one in here...that straight 6 is pretty impressive. I can't find any performance stats for FPV cars online, but does the F6 have better numbers than the GT V8s?

The way some guys bring in jap cars is, first the ship it to America in parts, then they assemble it and register it in their state as a "kit" car. They do that because there are some big government regs that try to prevent anyone from importing cars "gray market". I'll try checking with some of those jap car importers if I can't find anything better.

csv8 · 15-11-2006, 09:28 AM

Car and Driver magazine said "Australian Ford cars are the cars that could save Ford"
Do you have to convert to lefthand drive ? We have to convert to righthand drive, around $20k.

billij · 15-11-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

so like better features and build quality

The artical was in Motor Trend.

They didnt consider build quality from memory what got them was the fact that we had V8's and Turbo 6's in family cars.

Do search on the Motor Trend site it was good read. Or maybe somebody knows the link.

Totenkopf · 15-11-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Car and Driver magazine said "Australian Ford cars are the cars that could save Ford"
Do you have to convert to lefthand drive ? We have to convert to righthand drive, around $20k.

No, there are lots of japmobiles and some old english cars here that are RHD. Some guys have RHD Jeeps and stuff too, so I guess the government doesn't really care about that.

billij · 15-11-2006, 09:39 AM

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...-ghia-awd.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/specialt...xr6-turbo.html

**Polyal** · 15-11-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totenkopf

Hi guys. I live in America, and I'd like to import an FPV. Has anyone done this, or know anyone that has experience with it? Are there any companies that specialize in this?

I'm interested in an F6 Typhoon or GT-P...or maybe one of the new Force 6 or Force 8s. You guys have a good selection of Ford performance cars. SVT is down to one model here.

Hey mate...well there is a company in the UK that imports them to England, but being RHD its alot easier for them.

But, they could also be a starting point for logistics or something like that. Send an email to FPV if you are serious, I would be very disappointed if they didn't help you as its good exposure for them.

What made you sway to the F6 over the GT?

quest · 15-11-2006, 10:50 AM

US postal service has a bunch of right hand drive Explorers so it must be allowed

Bill_R · 15-11-2006, 11:26 AM

Something I just found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_import_vehicles

"It is no longer possible to import a non-US vehicle into the United States as a personal import, with three exceptions. In 1998, NHTSA granted vehicles over 25 years of age dispensation from the rules it administers, since these are presumed to be collector vehicles. It is also possible to certify the car as a third party importer, bringing in a number of cars to spread the cost of type approval and destructive testing. The 2006 Smart Fortwo car is imported in this manner. Finally, the Show or Display law allows import of vehicle[s] "of such historical or technological significance that it is in the public interest to show or display it in the United States even though it would be difficult or impossible to bring the vehicle into compliance with the Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This provision is intended to facilitate the importation of a make or model of a vehicle which its manufacturer never certified for sale in the United States." However, this provision still demands compliance with emissions standards."

If that's correct it sounds difficult for a private individual unless you can get it in as a show car. I'd be lookign at the import requirements first and then look at the export and shipping. Check with local car clubs in the US and see who has experience with this.

As an aside - for Australia the article says:
"In Australia, the commercial import of used motor vehicles is far more regulated and restricted than in New Zealand. The allowed imports are limited to sports cars and off-road vehicles, but not family cars."

No wonder 4wd's are turning into the vehicle equivalent of rabbits here. I met soemoen who has an imported 4wd just last week. totally good nick but needed the seat belts changed for Aussie standards for rego.

killer_taxi · 15-11-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totenkopf

I can't find any performance stats for FPV cars online, but does the F6 have better numbers than the GT V8s?

Yes, the F6 is faster then the GT pretty much everywhere.

Performance figures performed by Motor Magazine:
FPV BF GT Auto:
0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 5.6 seconds.
0-400m (quarter mile) in 13.9 seconds.
FPV BF F6 Typhoon Auto:
0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 5.4 seconds.
0-400m (quarter mile) in 13.5 seconds.

Tiapan · 15-11-2006, 12:13 PM

running the fpv on your 92 octane fuel would be a problem wouldnt it?

Ruger · 15-11-2006, 12:14 PM

not to mention the 6spd auto f6's that are in the 12's with minimal work.

Boss 290 · 15-11-2006, 12:22 PM

yeh the gt does have more power but the stock f6 on most occasions will beat a stock gt due to its killer low down torque output. both cars do their jobs well and it also goes down to personal preference. loud v8 and slick 6t. congrads on whatever you choose and good luck in importing it. i hope it works out because australians have a great choice in cars and i think it would be nice to get some exposure over in the usa....im guessing ford u.s dont have anything like the typhoon do they?

TZENU · 15-11-2006, 12:48 PM

FPV exposure in the US without the cost of advertising!!! Its a win win situation!!!

We can do a swap an SVT Cobra for F6 Typhoon!

Totenkopf · 15-11-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Hey mate...well there is a company in the UK that imports them to England, but being RHD its alot easier for them.

But, they could also be a starting point for logistics or something like that. Send an email to FPV if you are serious, I would be very disappointed if they didn't help you as its good exposure for them.

What made you sway to the F6 over the GT?

Do you have a name or contact info for that English company? I am going to send an email to FPV. I have a feeling that Ford USA would just tell them not to help me out though.

I'm leaning to the F6 because it seems a little more exotic than the V8. The last Ford I bought that is kind of sporty is the SVT engined 2002 Harley-Davidson F-150...it has a supercharged 5.4L V8, which is probably architecturally close to the Boss 290, although the Boss 290 is more hi-tech. V8s are really common over here.

**Polyal** · 15-11-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totenkopf

Do you have a name or contact info for that English company? I am going to send an email to FPV. I have a feeling that Ford USA would just tell them not to help me out though.

I'm leaning to the F6 because it seems a little more exotic than the V8. The last Ford I bought that is kind of sporty is the SVT engined 2002 Harley-Davidson F-150...it has a supercharged 5.4L V8, which is probably architecturally close to the Boss 290, although the Boss 290 is more hi-tech. V8s are really common over here.

I personally dont have the contact for that UK group, but there was a thread on this site about the article. I dont have time to search now, but ill give it a go later.

Maybe one of the moderators could help you, the thread revolved around an article similar to the ones above, but obviously a UK journo did it.

Totenkopf · 15-11-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss 290

yeh the gt does have more power but the stock f6 on most occasions will beat a stock gt due to its killer low down torque output. both cars do their jobs well and it also goes down to personal preference. loud v8 and slick 6t. congrads on whatever you choose and good luck in importing it. i hope it works out because australians have a great choice in cars and i think it would be nice to get some exposure over in the usa....im guessing ford u.s dont have anything like the typhoon do they?

Ford keeps failing to produce good performance vehicles here...first they cancelled the new Lightning that I was planning to buy, and then they announced the "Adrenalin". Adrenalin was going to be a small four door pick-up truck with the Terminator engine. I really wanted that, but Ford cancelled it also. Now they only have the Shelby GT500, but it is a disappointment to allot of people since it is overly heavy, and the performance is not where it should be considering the power it has. They had the GT (GT40) for awhile, but the dealerships were gouging on them, and still are...dealers are also gouging on GT500s now, and ****ing off lots of Ford customers.

One prob for Ford in the US is that they have no good large sedan to even build a performance vehicle off of...the Canadian Crown Vic that the cops drive is an old piece.

Totenkopf · 15-11-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I personally dont have the contact for that UK group, but there was a thread on this site about the article. I dont have time to search now, but ill give it a go later.

Maybe one of the moderators could help you, the thread revolved around an article similar to the ones above, but obviously a UK journo did it.

Thanks...I'll try looking around myself too.

Totenkopf · 15-11-2006, 03:57 PM

OK, I got a little more info on the fully legal import process...ie, not "kit" car shady business.

The best solution requires me to get the FPV corporate offices to write a letter for me, specific to my car, stating that it meets American EPA emissions and American federal motor vehicle safety standards.

If they will not do the letter for me, I need to do the following.
1 Have the car tested to make sure it complies with EPA regulations, and modify it to comply if it does not meet the regulations. If the car is to pass, it needs an OBD2 computer system and a catalytic converter...does the F6 have these?
2 The car, having the steering wheel on the right side, needs to be certified by the manufacturer that it meets the same crash testing requirements as the same vehicle if it had a steering wheel on the left side.
3 Possible replacement of all windows, headlamps, taillamps, airbags, safetybelts to comply with the DOT.
4 Possible crash test of a couple cars...I won't be going that far. It could be worth it for an importer, but I only want the car for personal use. They sure make it difficult.

Does anyone know how many F6s they make a year? I could go the "show or display" route only if it was under 500 produced, but I think it is probably much higher.

**Polyal** · 15-11-2006, 04:01 PM

definately more than 500, 99.9% sure they meet all euro 4 compliances aswell, if not certainly euro3

**data_mine** · 15-11-2006, 04:10 PM

The BF range of FPV's all meet Euro3 emissions, have OBD2 computers, and catalytic converters.

It SHOULD be easy to get one complied over there, as Australian standards are usually alot harsher than US standards - we take more from the euro standards.

GTP 320 · 15-11-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer_taxi

Yes, the F6 is faster then the GT pretty much everywhere.

Performance figures performed by Motor Magazine:
FPV BF GT Auto:
0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 5.6 seconds.
0-400m (quarter mile) in 13.9 seconds.
FPV BF F6 Typhoon Auto:
0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 5.4 seconds.
0-400m (quarter mile) in 13.5 seconds.

It's only an eye blink difference.
Cheers John

GTP 320 · 15-11-2006, 04:22 PM

Another option could be importing the FPV vehicle say into Mexico or Canada , their laws might be different and easier to get into the North American market.
Cheers John

needaXYGT · 15-11-2006, 04:41 PM

if you get the car over there, i hope it goes well, as its also good for for australia.

flappist · 15-11-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP 320

It's only an eye blink difference.
Cheers John

Asking "Is a F6 quicker than a GT?" is like when your wife asks "Does my bum look big in this?".
The truth ALWAYS starts a fight that will never be won by arguing using logic, sense or reality.

The best course of action for both is to change subject.....QUICKLY.

GTP 320 · 15-11-2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Asking "Is a F6 quicker than a GT?" is like when your wife asks "Does my bum look big in this?".
The truth ALWAYS starts a fight that will never be won by arguing using logic, sense or reality.

The best course of action for both is to change subject.....QUICKLY.

Like i said it's only an eye blink, so what if it is .2 of a second quicker for the 0- 100km/h
Cheers John