I just bought a 1969 500L that I am going to import to the US from the UK. The shipping agent is telling me that I need to prove that the car, specifically the engine is original to comply with EPA standards. The car has an original 500cc engine in it, but he has mentioned that I will need a letter from the manufacturer or official paperwork that states the car is original spec. Can anyone help with what I might do to get some document like this? I have an old registration that shows it has 2 cyl and was first registered in 1969 which proves the age.:bang:

Hi,

Here's what I know about importing into the US based on bringing a car in from Canada and when I researched about importing one from New Zealand back at the turn of the century:

The vehicle needs to meet Federal DOT and EPA standards (If you're in California, you may need something more). For the car I imported from Canada, I had to have proof of both of these to register it with my State's DMV. With the vehicle from NZ, the car would have had to go to a DOT-approved shop and have work done to meet the DOT and EPA standards. But, in both of these cases, this was for new cars….

From my readings, since your car predates the EPA, there are no requirements to meet. For DOT regs, I think the only one it needs to meet is that it has seat belts.

Last year, I was reading tons about exporting a Bambino from Europe and nowhere did I read where the motor had to be original. No one who imported into the US mentioned this. I wonder why this would even be a requirement? If it's needed, maybe there is a waiver for antique vehicles….

Also, maybe another member can answer this one: On the plate to next to the petrol tank in the boot, isn't the engine serial number stamped on it (Mine's too corroded to read it)? The number, if the motor is original, would be stamped on the engine block.

It may be worthwhile to Google: "importing a Bambino into the US." There are a bunch of people on this and other Fiat forums that have done this. Send them a private message and ask them about the process.

Also, I'd call/email another importer who does a lot between the UK and the US. They may be able to provide some more info.

Lastly, the Fed's DOT website may have helpful info on importing an antique vehicle into the country.

Good luck,

Lots of misinformation there. If the car is old enough it doesn't have to meet crash test or epa standards for importation. Also most states will issue antique or classic plates for cars older than 20 or 25 years, and these obviate the requirement for pollution and safety inspections. Check the DOT site and your state's MVA.

Like ecdy says, plenty of bum gouge. The engine does not have to be original, but does have to have the period engine. If the firewall and tag attached to it say for example 110 F, then the engine stamp should also say 110 F. Engines blow up and get replaced all the time.

Again US federal law does not require vehicles over 25 to comply with EPA standards and even in most cases, like California, they do not even have to have seatbelts if they were not originally equiped with them. Look at the US customs guidance and the customs guidane for the state you are importing it into. Most of the time it is two forms to fill out and submit upon import and that is that.

We recently had some military personel import 500s without the "period" engines (126 engines in fact) and the US customs crushed the cars.

Good Luck!

I just went through this whole process with a 1970 500L from The Netherlands. It was nerve wracking, but worked out OK. I received a lot of warnings about replacement engines not meeting the EPA's waiver. I Emailed them and got a very stern response to the same effect. The above statement of 126 engines causing the cars to be crushed is pretty scary! My car has the 110F engine that matched the VIN plate. It sailed through inspections.

Importing was not cheap. The shipper charged close to $3k USD plus import duty + inspection fees. My car totaled $3800, from the dock in Rotterdam to my garage. I used CFR Rinken as they had the most detailed quote, offices here in the US, a tracking service, and their container system seemed to be more robust than wood scaffolding. Their communications could be improved but I have nothing to compare it to.

If I had it to do over again, I would probably Roll-On/Roll-Off vs. the container. The car was only on the ocean a week. The entire process took a lot longer. It sat at the dock for three weeks, a week on the ocean, a week sitting at the dock in NY, then two weeks to be released by customs and another week for delivery. Import docs took another two weeks (required for registering it here in the US.) Hope you're not in a hurry!

Mark

I too was flipping out. I bought a 69 Lusso here in Italy where I work for the US Navy. All was well for a year then I took it to my local mechanic. He commented that my 126 engine was running nicely! 126, I said??? Yes, he said. It appears someone has changed out your engine to get more power. I flipped because I knew I couldn't export to the States with a different engine. Panic set in. I did all of the research the internet allows and finally came up with this. #1- the mechanic was wrong! Down by the alternator there is a stamp in the engine block that says, 110F indicating that it is a period engine for the Fiat 500 L. Then below that is a stamp of the engine number. Mine indicates that it is a Fiat 500 L engine manufactured in 1970. Still a 500L engine, so I'm o.k. to export to the states. What the previous owner DID do was adapt and change out the gear box to a 126 so he wouldn't need to double clutch which made the mechanic think it was a 126 engine! I sure am glad he was wrong....

The previous mechanic must have done quite a bit more than just fit a 126 gearbox (with a 500 bell-housing). The only version of the 500/126 engine to have an alternator was the 652cc version in the Mk2 126. Even the early (594cc) 126s had dynamos! Just don't tell anybody official!!

You may need to get a VIN verification check done. I had to do one before the military auto logistics people would move mine. I used https://www.fcaheritage.com/en-uk/classic-services/fiat-certificate-origin it took a while to get it like 3 weeks but they accepted it as a verification of the VIN.