... I dont mind waiting 14 years to drive
Perhaps you don't have to wait that long... I'm going to assume that this the Spider that was sold to you, after it was bought at the auction... (The pilot brought it over under the law that allows one to drive it for a specific period and then remove it from the country, but he didn't, and eventually got caught driving it, so it was impounded...) This is somewhat similar to the situation when AutoDelta-USA (not affiliated to the original Auto-Delta) got caught with non-compliant cars and all vehicles transacted through them were affected.
Perhaps the simplest solution is to register it as a "show and display" vehicle, although this will limit its use severely. (This was what was done with one of the AutoDelta-USA cars.) Another idea is to see if it qualifies as a kit car. One can remove the engine from a new production European car and then import the body and engine, and it will be documented as such, so it is possible to use these components to create a kit car. However, it will never be an Alfa again. (I do know of cars that have been imported this way, but I have no idea if the fact that this car is already here, and its origin documented, has any impact on disqualifying its components.)
The other process is to import it legally, and again I don't know if the fact that it is here already disqualifies it altogether. I investigated this extensively in 2004, and contacted a legitimate registered importer of modern European vehicles. At that time, the process to import a modern Alfa, not on the list of vehicles previously imported, would have cost between $15k and $20k. (This does not include any expenses for the vehicle itself, or transport of such.) This cost is despite the fact that Alfa's vehicles are already in many ways compliant with U.S. regulations. The registered importer, by the way, no longer provides this service, in part because the process of dealing with DOT, EPA and U.S. regulations regarding conversion was too arduous for him, and while he did experience great satisfaction from some transactions, the majority were anything but fun, in spite of being financially profitable for him. I would suggest that you take a look at the U.S. web site:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
At a very high level, and this is by no means intended to summarize the many pages of information on the U.S. government web site, here are some points that I investigated, and which you may find useful. The "Conversion" must be performed by a registered importer, i.e. one who is duly registered, with a legitimate place of business, and don't think that they will give you a license, no matter how pretty you garage may be.
Conversion process:
1) Remove and replace the speedometer
2) Install a warning light with the word "BRAKE" into the speedometer
3) Replace headlight assemblies with DOT certified lights
4) Install a high mounting, third brake light
5) Modify/Replace door locks with US certified door locks
6) Install a tire information label
7) Replace the passenger side mirror to reflect "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR"
8) Install a seat belt & key warning buzzer
9) Install door beams into the doors to comply with side impact protection regulations (FMVSS-214)
10) Install a rollover valve
11) Install engraved VIN (vehicle identification number) plate
12) Install VIN location label
13) Install a certification label
14) Remove and document bumpers
15) If necessary, modify and reinforce bumpers to comply with US federal bumper standards (FMVSS-581)
16) Determine if there are any outstanding recalls on this vehicle
17) Remedy all outstanding recalls
18) Submit a compliance package to the DOT, documenting with photographs all the modifications performed to bring the vehicle into compliance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The EPA part of the conversion deals mainly with emissions of the vehicle. In general to certify the vehicle with the EPA, the catalytic converters are replaced along with the O2 sensors. Also a massive tune up might be necessary for older vehicles. After all the emission parts have been replaced, the vehicle goes into an EPA Certified Laboratory and gets tested. After the vehicle gets a passing result from the laboratory, the paperwork gets submitted to the EPA and the vehicle awaits a brief hold period, until cleared by the EPA.
The government also keeps a list of cars that have been approved by a prior import, and it is much easier to import a car if the model (and even better if it’s the same year) are already on the list.
The laws have definitely been written to prevent people from importing any car that isn't like a U.S. car, so there is no easy way to go about this process. During the '80s, there was a flurry of vehicles from all marques that were imported, and Congress closed all the loopholes. (Yes, it was done to protect the U.S. auto industry, especially those affiliated with expensive marques, since buying and shipping a car from Europe was a heck of a lot cheaper than buying one from your friendly neighborhood dealer.) Basically, if you are going to be able to drive your car, you will need to learn the process so that you can follow it properly, and it will take a lot of patience, and perseverance, and of course it won't be inexpensive.
Best regards,
