Re: Alfa Romeo SZ (ES30)

[James Montebello <jamesm@domain.elided>]

As I heard the story, the once in a lifetime thing was targetted at US
servicemen coming home from overseas with a car bought "over there".
However, enough people have had enough trouble bringing in certain
non-US cars that I suspect that you can't legally license the car w/o
following the federalization cycle these days.  You *might* be able to
get a waiver for DOT requirements (i.e., no crash test), but it doesn't
appear you can escape EPA requirements (smog test), unless the car is
more than 20 years old.  The grey market industry isn't what it was
15 years ago.

Since the SZ is essentially a 75/Milano, which was federalized, I'd bet
you could talk your way past the DOT regs, and could easily retrofit
the car to meet the EPA regs using 75 parts.  Given enough money, you
can bring in anything.  There are at least three McLaren F1s in this
country, legally.

Of course, one could probably take a $1500 Milano, throw about $5000 at
it, and end up with a car that would be an SZ in all but looks.

james montebello
'84 gtv6

On Wed, 24 Jul 2002, Joe Elliott wrote:

> Once in a lifetime importation exemption??  Where do I sign up?
>
> FWIW, there's at least one SZ in the USA.
>
> --On Wednesday, July 24, 2002 11:35 AM -0400 alfa-digest
> <owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided> wrote:
>
> > Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2002 00:44:55 -0400
> > From: DBesic@domain.elided
> > Subject: Alfa Romeo SZ (ES30)
> >
> > To our friends across the big pond -
> >
> > I've been enamored with the SZ (aka "il Mostro") ever since they were
> > introduced in 1989 and was truly annoyed they were never offered in the
> > U.S. I had given up the possibility of ever owning one until this past
> > weekend when a friend had enlightened me about the "once-in-a-lifetime"
> > exemption available when importing non-certified cars.  Suddenly my
> > imagination went into overdrive.  Hmm... 210HP 3.0L V6, 0-100km/h in 7.0
> > secs, top speed of 275 km/h, composite body... it just boggles the mind.
> >
> > I realize that something like only 1036 SZ's were ever built and they are
> > considered somewhat collectible.... but just for giggles, do they ever
> > come up for sale and what seems to be the going rate for an above-average
> > specimen?  There seems to be a higher concentration of registered SZ's in
> > England, Netherlands and Germany, with a handful spread around the rest
> > of the world (EXCEPT the U.S!)  Any assistance would be most appreciated
> > by me, (although you may cause my wife great anxiety.)
> >
> > Darren Besic
> > Batavia, IL, USA
> --
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