Interpretation ID: nht88-3.36

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 09/07/88

FROM: CLIFFORD T. ANGLEWICZ -- VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING VERNE CORP

TO: CHIEF COUNSEL NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 08/07/89 FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD -- NHTSA TO CLIFFORD ANGLEWICZ -- VERNE CORP; REDBOOK A34 [4]; INTERP, SECTION 101[3]; PART 571[A]; LETTER DATED 10/18/88 FROM ERIKA Z. JONES -- NHTSA TO RAYMOND M. MOMBOISSE -- IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE

TEXT: Dear Sir:

We are in the business of manufacturing the Dragoon Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) that is presently used by the U.S. Armed Forces. This vehicle is rubber tired, all terrain and amphibious. It is capable of resisting fire from most conventional ballist ic level three weapons. We are now considering the possibility of making this vehicle available to police departments, U.S. Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Customs Service to use as a special purpose rescue and security vehic le. Through our market research we have found their primary uses would be as follows:

-Rescue wounded or disabled people or officers during hostile cross fire situations.

-Protection for law enforcement personnel during drug enforcement or other types of enforcement activities that require addition protection for the officers.

-Rescue during floods, tornados or other types of disasters.

-Airport or other municipal security requirements.

Because our vehicle is only 8' wide and 20' long it can travel easily on the highway to and from where it is needed. This is a big advantage to the usefulness, however it may require that the vehicle to be titled like other police vehicles.

We would like to know the procedure for getting this vehicle classified as a special purpose vehicle. We have several of law enforcement agencies as well as the Border Patrol interested in our vehicle and have been ask if we can supply a certificate of origin with the proper VIN number so the vehicle can be titled. Our average annual production of this type of vehicle is has been 60 units and we never sell this equipment to private citizens. We estimate that approximately 10% of our production would b e sold to law enforcement agencies.

Enclosed you will find a booklet outlining the specification of the Dragoon that we are interested in being able to register in different states. As you will notice, we market the Dragoon through an affiliate Arrowpointe Corporation, however Verne Corpo ration is the manufacturer. Thanking you in advance, and if you have any question please do not hesitate in contacting me

(Booklet omitted.)

Sincerely,