Its done into the states too. The Birken S3 is a Lotus Super 7 knock off made in
South Africa as a complete vehicle but is exported to the US without a gearbox and
engine. I'm not sure how this beats the regulations but I guess that it might still
be considered a one-off kit car then.
Tony

Per Lindgren wrote:

> Ron Semko wrote:
>
> > A wholesale exporter, was buying a lot of RV's and exporting them to another
> > country. But, before he loaded them on to a ship he would always pull the
> > engine and place it in the vehicle. This got the better of me one day, and I
> > had to ask him "why" pull the engine? He told me that if the vehicle had no
> > engine "in" it (meaning under the hood) it was considered junk or for parts,
> > as in not a complete vehicle. Even if the engine was inside the vehicle, and
> > hence he paid no duty on it. Go Figure!
>
> This is done here too, but in order for it to work into Norway, the body have to
> be cut in two or three (or more) and the VIN can not be used for registration
> without paying $$$$$$$$$$$$$ taxes. If the body is cut, it is considered parts,
> and oyu only have to pay sales tax.
>
> PerL
> 87 Syncro 112i