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The class of 1996 has some interesting options.
Due to a strange law called the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988, vehicles that were not originally sold in the United States can not be imported until they are 25 years old. This means every year, we get to write about a new crop of cars that can be imported into the country. Last year for 2020, the importable cars from 1995 included some heavy hitters like the R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III.
This year s list features cars from 1996, though be sure to check the build date of the specific vehicle you want to bring into the country because that will specify exactly when the car is eligible to import. We ve picked some great options from Japan, UK, and France that can be imported in 2021.
How The Tiny First-Generation Smart Fortwo Breezed By The 25-Year Import Rule
Image: Mercedes Streeter/Raphael Orlove
To American car enthusiasts who love revered cars like the Nissan Skyline R34 and Land Rover Defender, the infamous 25-year import rule is
the ultimate challenge. Yet while Skylines and Defenders were restricted under the watchful eye of the feds, the first-generation Smart Fortwo (1998-2007) is able to drive down our roads without fear of becoming a block of crushed metal and plastic. Here’s why.
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First, what is the so-called 25-year import rule? The Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act was signed into law in 1988, essentially banning the import of any foreign vehicle not intended for the American market unless it’s at least 25 years old. On the surface, the law exists to keep unsafe vehicles off American roadways. But really it seems to serve only the interests of automakers.