Canada is no problem, anything 15 years old or older is a breeze to import.

You are correct about the liability.  That is the big risk.  Simply put,
your insurance is invalid if the car is not legal for use on the highway,
and if it does not have DOT approval, it is not legal.  And if your
insurance is invalid, guess who the lawyers will come after???

Cheers,

Jeff

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Loren Busch [mailto:starwagen@gmail.com]
  Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 2:44 PM
  To: VW Doka
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
  Subject: Re: [vanagon] FS: '93 LT 28 Diesel Westfalia on samba in Oregon

  And that's what I suspect also.  Though Dave Marshall is brining a similar
vehicle into BC.
  And that raises an important question.  If no legally imported BUT valid
license, registration and title in a state like California (which should be
the hardest) as the subject vehicle is, what would be the insurance and
liability situation?  Even if insured could the insurance company opt out on
a major claim if the vehicle did not meet DOT safety requirements?  Would
the owners personal liability be raised in the event of an accident?

  On 5/16/07, VW Doka <vw.doka@gmail.com> wrote:
    Loren,

    Licensing was definitely done on the sly.  There is no way that it is
here
    legally.  Any LT less than 25 years old is not eligible for import into
the
    USA.  Remember, just because it is registered doesn't make it legal...