Posted by clive on September 21, 2004 at 09:34:34:

In Reply to: Register a UK bought Defender in US... posted by Jason Michaels on September 18, 2004 at 11:32:34:

I looked into this a couple of years ago and ended up buying a NAS 110. It has all been done before, but it will cost you a lot of time and $s. You already appear to have a bunch of information (your own research and comments of others here). The only way to get a truly (fully) leagal 110 is to build it identically to the 93 NAS model year, and do it through through EPA/DOT accredited importers/upgraders. Anything less than a NAS spec will remain a 'gray-market' vehicle with titling at the state level only, but no federal recognition and that just could get you in trouble with an insurance co. one day, if someone wanted to sue you. Having said that, there are quite a few gray-market defenders around.

In response to your specific questions:

1. I have heard that if its EX-MOD its not a problem - AS LONG AS IT IS OVER 25 Y OLD.
2. I have heard you rebadge it as a Series [Illiegal] - NOPE, UNLESS IT IS IMPORTED AS A SERIES AND TITELD THAT WAY, THEN UPGRADED - WHICH WILL COST$$$$$$. WHY NOT JUST BY A NAS 110?
3. I have heard you can register it as a KitCar - I HEAR DOT AND EPA WILL JUMP ON YOU AND PROBABLY CONFISCATE IT - BECAUSE IT IS NOT A KIT CAR (UNLESS YOU CAN GET A CKD DEFENDER SOMEHOW, IT MAY WORK THEN...) SPEAK TO DOT AND EPA AND THEY CAN ADVISE YOU. NOTHING LIKE THE HORSE'S MOUTH.
4. I have heard you have to bring it over in pieces - THIS IS THE SAME AS 3!!
So your options comes down to $s and how you feel about the gray-market. A new model Defender is probably coming out in 2005, and will be fully US compatible, but very unlike today's Defender. You could call it a Ford.