I grew up in the UK and now live in California and have been looking at importing an old Defender over for several years. While I was home this December I found a good value 1984 Defender 90 in fair condition and bought it. It is currently at my parents house and my dad has been tinkering with it - oil change, new battery etc before we get ready to import it.

I did a lot of homework about what makes a Defender eligible for import (although now feeling like maybe not enough..)

- Over 25 years old
- Has it's original 2.5 Diesel engine
- Largely unmodified apart from repaint

We are still waiting for the V5 document to come through from the DVLA. When I search the VIN number on the various free VIN websites it sometimes it lists as a "2010 model year" but shows first year of registration as 1985. It has its original VIN and shows it was manufactured in 1984 so fully eligible for the 25 year rule. It's also definitely a 1984 model year just in terms of its body, engine, equipment etc.

- Will this "model year" category be an issue for CBP even if they can see year of manufacture being 1984?

- The other piece of the puzzle, is there an actual issue importing a RHD Defender? I've seen lots of RHD Defenders in California, some even with their original UK number plates so didn't think this was a major concern?

Thanks in advance,
Will

 

No the VIN will show the MFG date and no issues with RHD coming to USA

What kind of price quote did you get ? How long does it take shore to shore ?

 

Thanks - feel much better hearing that. It's going to be about $2,500-$3,000 door to door shipping but that includes ground transport pick-up in the UK and delivery to us in Northern California. I'm not sure it's first journey in the States should be a 350+ mile trip ha.

I think it is much cheaper getting them shipped to the East Coast because they don't have to do the extra journey around the Panama Canal etc.

 

Go over to "defendersource.com', they will have good answers to your questions. There's a whole topic dedicated to importing defenders to cali., probably the hardest state for emmission reasons. Supply link below.

https://www.defendersource.com/threa...to-know.59447/

Good luck.