Illegal imports of Defenders into the US - story & video

So here's how we spend our tax dollars in the US...

Interesting article in Road and Track about the illegal imports of newer Defenders that's don't meet the 25-year-old criteria for import to the US (If a vehicle is 25+ years, it can be imported without restriction into the US.).

In my opinion the US Customs and Border Patrol are creating the situation with their own rules, allowing essentially the same cars in for some years but not for others. Rather than spending a ton of money discovering the ones that are too new, they could make an exemption that states that if a vehicle is essentially the same design (perhaps based on specification and measurements of major components, such as bulkhead, hood, frame, wheelbase, overall dimensions, etc.) as a car that is 25+ years old, then it is allowed to be imported if it is newer but perhaps they could place a tax on the newer ones, or all of them, if a certain number per year or more are being imported.

So that way they could actually take in some revenue rather than stupidly crush vehicles and spent a ton of tax payer money for what they call "safety." (The video is obviously a publicity stunt for the agency.) As if importing only vehicles that are 25+ years old is "safer" than importing newer models that are in better condition, haven't been chopped and hacked up by some under-qualified mechanic who just wants to make some fast money, and have more modern equipment like disk brakes, anti-lock systems, forward facing seats all around, etc. Of course, I know there's plenty of folks in the UK making some good money importing Defenders correctly...

Anyway, that's my rant. Watching the video may be a little disturbing. Although it is interesting to see how much abuse the suspension takes.

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Absolute nuts as far as im concerned..

watching summat on youtube the other day with hot rods n stuff in it, and apparently stuff like these



Are road legal in the US, and even one which was badly built, custom suspension mounts that fouled the air bag suspension that was fitted, and way too weak, so that it would either snap, or puncture the airshock, was apparently allowed to be run on the road.
I have no clue on the insurance/MOT (or equivilent) over there, but surely sorting out these issues whould be higher on the list of priorities considering the size of the scene over there, as apposed to picking on a few imports.

That said, rulez is rulez and if your importing somthing, you should have done your homework.

It makes me laugh that in the video the only evidence of 'illegal' modifications is the door hinge screws have been replaced.

if they let them import any defenders.... we would have non left and prices would be daft

Kev@kenninghall said:

It makes me laugh that in the video the only evidence of 'illegal' modifications is the door hinge screws have been replaced.

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Yeah but, as he says, "No place for the battery" under the bonnet, obviously that's another excellent reason as to why it's not safe for American roads.

Yes, lots of highly customized cars on the streets in the States (google "Donk") and we have nothing as strict as the MOT, except maybe some smog requirements in California...

jhealey said:

Yes, lots of highly customized cars on the streets in the States (google "Donk") and we have nothing as strict as the MOT, except maybe some smog requirements in California...

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You all have missed a lot of points. That low boy. New hot rods built or restored, have to have engines that meet emissions, so lots of new builds need new engines, and up graded braking and exhaust systems. Also they have to be inspected by officials before they can get license plates and insured.

If you would search you can find out what is needed for hot rods/classic restorations. You do spout alot of **** cause defenders get crushed. They were imported illegally, most come from stolen defenders and v5 sold on ebay