That page is misleading.....any car more than 25 years old can be personally imported into the states with no issues with the gummint, EPA or any other agency. The key words here are "personally imported" and any Italian Mini is automatically over 25 years old. So if you focus your business on advertising and selling those cars, you're fine - however, the purchaser will need to import the car - not you. You can make all the arrangements for shipping, contact a broker in the states to handle the stateside paperwork and you're golden.
One big hurdle is the cost of shipping vs the market price for the car - it may not compute.....if for example you need to sell it for $10K to make a profit but the market says it's only worth $11K, the cost of shipping will kill the deal.
This is my thinking. My first Mini was an Inno that I had shipped from Rome in 2006, but sold it before I even took delivery of it.
Cost is something to think about. I dont want to be doing the stateside sales portion of it, at least not right now. I am much more interested in the search and buying here and then getting it sent across the pond.
Another option is selling the parts specific to the Innocenti cars - grille, headlight trims, interior, doors etc.
I have thought about this, but parts and their quality varies like crazy and shipping is also another mess. I might look into it if the market is there, but I dont know.
Whew, those are rare parts to find.....and there is more to it than that - heater, radiator, wiring harness all different - for example, as well as al the lights.
Eh, honestly, people here dont care that much. In Italy, everyone has a small car. And Fiat 500s are everywhere and they are even smaller than minis. The market just isnt there, at least here. Maybe if I move to Germany or something, but here, not so much.
An English-speaking source for Innocenti parts would be great, but maybe a bit of a limited market...
Yeah, that is what I was thinking. Let me know what you are looking for, I can see about finding the parts and see if it is worth it to either of us.
All depends on your funds too. If you could buy 4 innocenti's you could fill a full car container, saving loads on shipping.
Yes... that is what I am hoping. If I could get 2 sales, I could pay for another 2 out of pocket and save on the shipping. Then pack the container with parts and cars and save on shipping. Hope to recoup the money on the other end.
I did get the wife's approval for this, so now just gotta get started.