Interpretation ID: nht68-1.36

DATE: 02/07/68

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Robert M. O'Mahoney; NHTSA

TO: Contemporary Classics Inc.

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: The Customs Bureau has forwarded to the Department of Transportation your recent letter commenting on the joint regulations proposed on November 30 and governing the importation of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment subject to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. These regulations have now been issued in final form with changes made pursuant to comments received.

These regulations permit the entry of a racing car designed for use on a competition circuit. They do not prohibit the entry of antique, vintage, classic, and all other motor vehicles provided they were manufactured prior to January 1, 1968. The regulations follow the Act in denying entry to a motor vehicle designed primarily for use on the public roads which does not conform to, or cannot be brought into conformity with, applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

I enclose for your information a copy of the Act and call your attention to section 108(b)(3) and (b)(4), under which the regulations were issued. I also enclose a copy of the regulations which became effective on January 10.

S. 2029, passed by the Senate in November and pending in the House, is a bill which, if enacted, will provide a procedure under which manufacturers of 500 or less motor vehicles per year may apply for relief from compliance upon a showing that conformance would cause the manufacturer substantial economic hardship, and that no undue hazard to the public would result. The Department supports the objectives of this legislation.