What about just having a "Modified vanagon" like people do with beetles?
Legally, buy a totaled vanagon, and "rebuild" it with the imported parts.
In reality, buy a totaled vanagon, swap the VINs and junk the old vanagon.

This is a way someone could buy a van and register it, but I think the law
would find your friend if he tried to do that three times.

Just a thought...Mike