The US "Show And Display" Exemption List In Pictures (Pt.1)

"cuts_off_prius" (cutsoffprius) 05/17/2014 at 21:21 • Filed to: import ban, show and display, nhtsa, drive free or die, car laws

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For those that are unsure what this is, the U.S. Show and Display is an exemption to the 25 year import ban for cars.

I'll let Wikipedia take it from here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_M…

The "Show and Display" rule is a statutory amendment in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that allows certain privately imported automobiles to be exempted from the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (FMVSS) if the vehicle in question is deemed to meet a standard of "historical or technological significance". The amendment, which became law on August 13, 1999, is intended to apply to vehicles that could not feasibly be brought into compliance with the FMVSS, and that do not have a federal counterpart that was originally built for the United States market. Because of the expense and effort required to import a vehicle with this exemption, the approved vehicle list is mainly limited to high-value sports and touring cars. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Applications under the "Show and Display" rule are reviewed and managed by the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which allows the vehicles to be registered for limited use on public roads (2,500 miles annually). !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The approval for "Show and Display" import is granted if the prospective importer is able to show historical or technological significance of the vehicle in question, and if the vehicle was produced in limited numbers (with 500 being used as a threshold value.) Import approval is granted on a combination of make, model, and production-year; thus, there is no need to re-apply for approved vehicles when further examples are imported in the future. Because the manufacturer of a "Show and Display" vehicle does not necessarily endorse its import, such automobiles would be considered !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

This NHTSA list is as of May 28, 2013 and it can be accessed on this google docs !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . A link to part 2 is at the bottom of this post.

*The '84 BMW Hossack K100RS Prototype bike was omitted due to lack of images.

Here we go:

2003 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato Coupe

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

2011 Aston Martin One-77

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

2004 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1999-2000 Aston Martin Vantage LeMans

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1984 Audi Sport Quattro (already 25 years old)

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1978 Ford Falcon XC Bathurst Cobra (already 25 years old)

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

2012 BMW M3 CRT

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1990 BMW Sport Evolution M3 (UK version)

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1988-1991 BMW Z1

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1992-1995 Bugatti EB110

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

2005 Ferrari Enzo #400 (Pope John Paul II)

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1985-1986 Ford RS200 Evolution (already 25 years old)

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1986 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS 500 (already 25 years old)

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1997 Gruter & Gut Duetto Sidecar

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

2000 Holden GTS-R

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1992 Honda NR750

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1988 Italdesign Aztec

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1992-1994 Jaguar XJ220

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1999 Lamborghini Diablo GT

photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1995 Land Rover Range Rover Vogue 25th Anniversary Final Edition

photo credit - !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNSUPPORTED LINE BREAK IN HEADER !!!

Brian Silvestro > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 20:22

10

The CRT is probably one of the coolest BMWs ever made. Nobody knows about them either.

ranwhenparked > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 20:43

57

Show and display - because all of American civilization would collapse if the owners of these cars were allowed to drive them as much as they want wherever they want.

Sean Hodgins > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 20:44

4

Give me a XJ220 to replace the broken Vanden Plas V12 in my driveway please.

myTotaledTahoe > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 20:47

1

I don't think I get this topic. Who doesn't have the pdf already on their comp?

And most of these have been on us streets for years

427zeo6 > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 20:57

2

NR750! Oval pistons! FTW! on a more obtainable note....I miss my 86 RG500 Gamma when the exhaust valves popped open at 6700RPM you had better be pointed in the direction you want to be going and have some weight over your handlebars! Miss my old Gamma almost as much as my 78 Desmond 900SS.....because I'm an old fart I would buy back my Duck before the Suzi.....more Hail wood than Sheene now a days.

You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 20:58

12

Iwaswonderofwonders > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:00

0

So many things to be sad about on the exclusion list...

type 2 vanagon double cab pick up Torchinsky will have a sad. Me too.

Rodedawg?

Defender 130.... Thanks Obama!

AJ bought another motorcycle > 427zeo6 05/17/2014 at 21:02

0

Yes I'm gonna lose some sleep tonight trying not to think about that glorious NR750. Also how in the hell did you get your hands on RG 500?!?!??!?

jimz > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:02

7

since I'm sure a bunch of you are going to bitch about NHTSA rules barring import of these somehow "desirable" cars, I'm going to blame you for the 2015 Mustang looking like hell. Ford wants to take the Mustang global, which is all well and good. But those stupid EU pedestrian impact rules have basically dictated that the Mustang have a droopy, melting nose which looks fucking terrible when viewed from certain angles.

Foo2rama > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:06

3

The XJ220 was Federalized... there was USDM versions... why is it on the list? I've seen more then one xj220 on the road.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:09

8

If only I could get one of those jobs where people makes $6,000 a month from working from there computer, like that one friend they have!

[/sarcasm]

Buckus > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:12

1

Is it weird that there's only one Ferrari Enzo on the exemption list. I mean, exactly ONE?

Dsscats > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:15

8

This is a perfect color

TheStigSpanishCousin > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:22

2

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue 25th Anniversary Final Edition

Because extra leather and a few more badges is really something worthy of being shown and displayed

NipperDawg > TheStigSpanishCousin 05/17/2014 at 21:27

2

There is a dirty joke in there some place.

ranwhenparked > Foo2rama 05/17/2014 at 21:30

0

It applies to the foreign-market versions that weren't originally built to FMVSS standards.

Iwaswonderofwonders > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:33

0

More never in the USA Torchinsky sad... the Zavasta Fico. It looks like one of his drawings and yes I love that someone made it. Also... NO SKYLINES FOR YOU EVER AMERICA. Hrrrmpphh...

AlainProstIsNotTheDevil > Foo2rama 05/17/2014 at 21:34

2

XJ220 was never federalized by Jaguar, nor Ford. In fact, the XJ220 was the first car approved for "show and display" because the cars have to meet emissions requirements. Jaguar themselves did the work to develop those changes, paid for by a few wealthy American owners.

Jimmy Joe Meeker > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:43

0

The Italdesign Aztec , I haven't seen photos of that car since 1988.

boxjohn > Brian Silvestro 05/17/2014 at 21:43

1

tell me about them

Brian Silvestro > boxjohn 05/17/2014 at 21:46

0

It was an M3 in the E90 sedan bodystyle with the GTS engine dropped in it I'm pretty sure. I think they only made 60-70.

Jimmy Joe Meeker > ranwhenparked 05/17/2014 at 21:48

26

Thank Mercedes Benz and the marketeers of the other automakers. The 25yr import rule exists solely because of them. They wanted to control what models were for sale in what markets. Corporate marketeers like doing that.

MB got ticked because people would buy the lower trimmed versions in europe, bring them to the US, do the grey market steps and then sell them for less than the luxo version they wanted to sell in the USA. So they had congress make a law.

The most recent case like this came from a guy who bought cheaper versions of textbooks overseas, shipped them to the USA and then resold them at a profit for less than the US version of the text book. These cheaper versions were soft bound, had B&W photos instead of color and other minor cost cutting measures but were otherwise the same text book with all the same content. He prevailed in the lawsuit against him. There will probably be more laws passed against property rights just for crossing a border with said property.

TommyRocker > NipperDawg 05/17/2014 at 21:54

0

i hope he said badges....

Orange Exige > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 21:56

5

So what does this list actually consist of (besides some of the most badass vehicles ever made)? Is it just cars that couldn't meet US standards...?

mini4me > Jimmy Joe Meeker 05/17/2014 at 22:12

1

I think those pictures reaffirmed to me that any car named "Aztec" got beaten by an ugly stick.

Iwaswonderofwonders > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 22:14

1

Another exclusion item.. Skoda Fabia Greenline. Not that it would ever land here anyhow.

What's the hate about? A 3 cylinder diesel? Emissions? Safety? Probably safety... Seems like it did middling on NCAP (which is much better than NHTSA testing in my opinion).

toadterror > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 22:27

19

Seriously cool tech in here. Oval pistons what?

Pockets > Iwaswonderofwonders 05/17/2014 at 22:40

1

the weird thing about the exclusion list is that it contains lots of things that are on the inclusion list - you're allowed R34 Skylines GT-Rs, but only certain ones, you're allowed Mini Coopers, but only the last 50 and all the rest are on the exclusion list, etc.

That-guy-from-Nickleback > AlainProstIsNotTheDevil 05/17/2014 at 22:46

0

My uncle brought the very first one in.

That-guy-from-Nickleback > Buckus 05/17/2014 at 22:56

0

Never mind the fact that the owner is none other than the friggin' POPE!

TerminalNinja > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 23:03

0

Love how much you guys want Holdens, just silently shaking my head.

ranwhenparked > Orange Exige 05/17/2014 at 23:17

7

It's for cars that don't meet US standards and are therefore illegal in the US under normal circumstances, but that have met the USDOT's qualifications for private importation under the "show and display" exception in the FMVSS (also known as the Bill Gates Rule). Since these cars have already been approved, anyone looking to bring an example in in the future doesn't need to go through the whole process themselves.

Mike_Smith > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 23:17

0

I'm not sure I understand the Enzo - aren't they legal?

Mcryder > toadterror 05/17/2014 at 23:18

2

you beat me to the reply. fasinating technology. basically a Siamese'd V8

Maxxuman > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 23:19

0

Did Eric Bana want a "Beast" alternative to drive in the 'States? (The Beast was the earlier XB, which I think looked better - particularly without the Cobra paint scheme.)

ranwhenparked > Mike_Smith 05/17/2014 at 23:19

0

Not if they weren't built to US standards at the factory.

Maxxuman > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 23:20

0

I guess this was as close as he could get to a Zag...

Maxxuman > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 23:23

0

Was the person choosing the interior/exterior color combination color blind, or did they think it would be worth more because it's unique(ly ugly)?

Kin Polaj > Mcryder 05/17/2014 at 23:26

0

I'm seeing 16.

Maxxuman > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 23:27

0

Does it have a targa top, so he could stand and wave?...

Mcryder > Kin Polaj 05/17/2014 at 23:30

2

only 8 connecting rods. the pistons are 4 valves per crown.

bikeurious > AJ bought another motorcycle 05/17/2014 at 23:38

0

They're still around for sale, if you look hard enough...
http://www.bike-urious.com/30-miles-1986-…

cuts_off_prius > Maxxuman 05/17/2014 at 23:43

0

If you do a quick Google image search on the Vanquish Zagato, it seems to come only in that specific color scheme.

Gino King > cuts_off_prius 05/17/2014 at 23:48

0

Very BMW-esque.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > Jimmy Joe Meeker 05/18/2014 at 00:01

4

Just one of many reasons why I don't like Mercedes Benz.

Maxxuman > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 00:09

0

Actually, it seems it was a one off. I don't mind the exterior or interior colors, I just don't think they work together.

Kylemaro > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 00:17

3

argghhghghghghgghghhghghhhhghghhg i need new pants. i dont usually like fords but my god how badly i want one of these

Kylemaro > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 00:18

0

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhohohohhhohhhh one of these too

Kylemaro > ranwhenparked 05/18/2014 at 00:20

0

hey man i have had cars in my life i didnt put 2500 miles on in three years. that many in one is kind of alot to me lol

Kylemaro > You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" 05/18/2014 at 00:22

0

dat ass

Jimmy Joe Meeker > mini4me 05/18/2014 at 00:27

0

That wasn't ugly in 1988. just look at the sci-fi of the era. It's a hell of a lot better than "Johnny Cab".

404 - User No Longer Available > ranwhenparked 05/18/2014 at 00:36

7

That's nothing compared to Kinder Eggs. They are like nukes that will wipe out the population. Think of the children, people!

Keaton Belliston > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 00:37

2

I'm sensing a bit of "R2D2"-esque styling here!

porschephile463 > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 00:47

0

There are several cars on both lists that I'd like to see them enforce as they are nearly indistinguishable from the standard version. Not sure why they couldn't get certification under the substantially similar clause. I know ferarri didn't make that many changes to the Enzo. Or BMW didn't do much to 4 door M3.

RatMR2 > Maxxuman 05/18/2014 at 00:53

0

The Cobra was basically a runout special - they couldn't get rid of a bunch of XC hardtops, so they painted them blue and white. The alternative proposal was a Playboy-themed car, so in that respect we should be thankful.

sadfasdf > ranwhenparked 05/18/2014 at 01:06

3

It isn't necessarily not meeting standards (though there's usually something that'd have to be changed...speedos, lighting, bumpers), it's that they haven't been tested and proven to meet standards.

The US is not a signatory to the treaty by which most other countries recognize each others' auto standards and testing. If you want to sell a car in America you have to test the car again. I vaguely recall reading that this costs in the neighborhood of 2 million dollars and up. This is only worth it for high-volume cars, or cars with really high price tags, which is why the US doesn't get any of the cool rare stuff unless it's home grown or sold as kits. The problem with the expensive cars is that you have to destroy a few of them in the process, which isn't an attractive prospect for a vehicle where they're only making 50 of them.

Foo2rama > Mike_Smith 05/18/2014 at 01:57

0

The Enzo is not a US Spec Enzo...

Buckus > Foo2rama 05/18/2014 at 02:00

1

It's approaching the 25 year mark anyways, so it will be irrelevant whether it's on the list or not.

Foo2rama > ranwhenparked 05/18/2014 at 02:00

0

My bad I guess I thought the 220 was federalized, there where at least 2 running around in SoCal on a daily basis for awhile. I could not figure out why someone would bring a non-US spec one over. The other cars like the Enzo are collectible for other reasons while being non US-Spec versions of cars that have been federalized.

cuts_off_prius > Iwaswonderofwonders 05/18/2014 at 02:01

0

Rule of thumb is 500 units or less were made or it has to be of technological significance for its time or something like that to qualify for the exemption. Seems like an arbitrary and subjective criteria for the import requests.

seoultrain > Doctor-G-and-the-wagen 05/18/2014 at 02:07

3

The best was one I saw on Jalopnik recently. It was something like "my co-worker's sister just bought a Saab 9-3 working part time!" Yep, a car literally any part-time job could pay for.

Wave Motion Gun > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 05/18/2014 at 02:20

3

Mercedes Benz - Just another taxi in any country other than America.

toadterror > Mcryder 05/18/2014 at 02:35

0

If you guys haven't, check out videos of the sound..

solracer > Foo2rama 05/18/2014 at 02:39

0

I saw one in Bellevue, Washington back in 1997 or 1998 driving into the Jaguar dealer there. Definitely did a double-take!

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > seoultrain 05/18/2014 at 02:50

0

You'll usually see one of those in every other thread. Also out of morbid curiosity I decided to see if I could afford a 9-3. I barely can, which makes me all the more glad I might have a full-time job soon (yay college might actually pay off.)

Also 9-3's get abused a lot, apparently. Some of the ones I'm seeing on Craigslist are in appalling shape, even the Aeros and such.

V8VespaStoppie > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 03:42

1

300 SRT wagon. I don't care, I want it. Not gonna butcher a Magnum SRT either.

365Daytonafan > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 04:29

2

There never was an official UK RHD version of the E30 M3 in any version. If a RHD version was brought to the US under show and tell it was an aftermarket conversion.

Buckus > ranwhenparked 05/18/2014 at 04:29

0

Hey, an example of a 1% pushing a law that helps non 1%-ers! If I recall correctly, he primarily wanted to be able to drive his Porsche 959 beyond his house.

Buckus > Mike_Smith 05/18/2014 at 04:32

1

Not Enzo #400, which belongs to da freaking Pope!

Vracktal > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 05:36

1

Wait, I didn't know motorbikes had to abide by the 25 year/show & display only rules as well!

What's the justification there? It's not like they can argue it's because the handlebars are on the wrong side, or that it doesn't meet US crash test standards. And federalization would just include fitting some side markers.... and that's it.

What the fuck America.

D H > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 05:40

1

Gee, I had a 1988 Trabant 601S in the US back in 1992. Also had an Audi S3 (8L) there for 19 months. I won't say how I did it but I figured, screw NHTSA and anyone else who wants to tell me what I can and can't drive. I now live in a freer Country.

D H > Jimmy Joe Meeker 05/18/2014 at 05:50

2

Actually, you can thank that turd Lyndon Johnson and the bought and paid-for Congress back in the '60's for creating NHTSA and taking away a Citizen's right to import and drive anything he wanted.

Vracktal > Kylemaro 05/18/2014 at 05:53

2

Psst.

Sweet, delicious forbidden Falcon ute. ; )

B.Peasant > 365Daytonafan 05/18/2014 at 06:41

0

Yeah, the actual list says "UK version", nothing about which-hand drive. I'm not clear on how the UK version is supposed to differ from a continental version...

B.Peasant > 365Daytonafan 05/18/2014 at 06:46

1

Oh wait. The non-UK version is _not eligible_ on the next page. WTF?

Looks like the whole list is based on individual cars they let through, and that again depends on the mood of the official who processed the application...

Benson1990 > ranwhenparked 05/18/2014 at 07:06

0

And how would somebody do that with the Aztec? I'm not against seeing some pics of epic cars and I certainly agree there is no need for a reason but I fail to see the helpfulness or need for the list itself.

CALUSA > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 07:45

0

What does this list mean?

UserNotFound > toadterror 05/18/2014 at 07:50

0

Dude that is so awesome.

vc-10 > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 08:04

0

There are a hell of a lot more than 500 Skoda Fabia Greenlines out there... and nor are they particularly interesting from a technological point of view. Same engine and running gear as a Polo.

vc-10 > Iwaswonderofwonders 05/18/2014 at 08:06

0

The Fabia got 4* on the EuroNCAP tests, and other cars have been sold in the US with that sort of score. The Toyota Urban Cruiser got 3* on the newer test (which I think is about 4* on the old one) and that's just a rebadge of the Scion xD.

StalePhish > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 08:42

0

And the one I care about most about personally... 2000 Rover Mini Cooper S (last 50 made). The only legitimate way to get a Mk VII into the US. (Currently you can only get up to Mk V and no way to get Mk VI)

jimz > D H 05/18/2014 at 08:59

2

Citizen's right to import and drive anything he wanted.

when has that ever been a "right?"

Spoonman929RR > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 09:07

0

TVR's are on that list. TVRS ARE ON THE LIST.

quickquest88 > toadterror 05/18/2014 at 09:08

1

Kylemaro > Vracktal 05/18/2014 at 09:37

0

not a fan of utes. just never appealed to me. and the only thing i dont like abotu the falcon is that ridiculous paint and snake badges/ whatnot

Guamunist > vc-10 05/18/2014 at 09:47

0

Probably just didn't want to smash cars on their dime for testing.

You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" > Kylemaro 05/18/2014 at 11:22

0

Probably the most beautiful motorcycle made in the past 30 years

ranwhenparked > Benson1990 05/18/2014 at 11:45

0

Its the USDOT's list. They maintain public lists of every car they've approved and every car they've rejected. If your car is on the first list, you know you can import it with no problems, on the second list, don't even ask because its not happening.

Axel-Ripper > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 11:45

2

This car is everything amazing about the 90s supercars/supercar concept. So blue, so bubbly, so awesome.

Axel-Ripper > toadterror 05/18/2014 at 11:48

1

Ok, new rules! Your engine can only have 4 cylinders! HAHAHAHA.

Wait. What?

I love you but I've chosen hooning! > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 12:07

0

Wait, what? You can't get a Diablo GT under normal conditions in the US? Jesus christ, America #freedomtofascism

thunder1979 > Kylemaro 05/18/2014 at 12:36

0

What's that you say about the paint and snake badges?

vc-10 > Guamunist 05/18/2014 at 12:37

0

Yup- and emissions. There's no point for VAG to certify a car from a brand that isn't sold in the US at all, let alone a small diesel which the American public simply don't buy.

Cé hé sin > sadfasdf 05/18/2014 at 12:45

0

As I understand it the US doesn't recognizer anyone else's standards for anything and that include those stricter than their own. There is some story that cars have to have special windows for the American market because EU spec ones, being designed for higher standards, by definition can't comply with American standards.

phimuskapsi > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 13:01

0

I know it's an odd little thing, but I've ALWAYS wanted one of these.

cuts_off_prius > 365Daytonafan 05/18/2014 at 13:07

0

Thanks, I corrected it. Since it said UK version I assumed it was RHD. Couldn't find any RHD pics either.

ja9ae > cuts_off_prius 05/18/2014 at 13:42

0

Yes please!

D H > jimz 05/18/2014 at 13:57

1

It was a "right" until 1968.

Kylemaro > thunder1979 05/18/2014 at 14:46

1

cough cough overdone. they're everywhere they look tacky and i hate them cough cough sorry i had a tickle in the back of my throat thats all

Kylemaro > You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" 05/18/2014 at 14:47

0

i'm an enormous fan of alot of 80s superbikes. and even i have a hard time imagining a better looking one