Replica Car New Law

[Glen Davis]

I wonder how this new law will affect our one-off builds or how it will affect people who built FFR cars for others?
https://www.thedrive.com/news/44583/replica-cars-no-longer-have-to-be-sold-as-a-kit-under-new-federal-rules

[CaptB]

A quick look at the description tells me that FFR might be in the building business soon.

[Skuzzy]

[paraphrased from the article]

The rub is any vehicle built to the standards of the bill must meet current model year emissions regulations, which translates to California having most of the control of how this works through CARB. The EPA stated in 2019 that any engine package from a vehicle that has already met CARB standards can be used in these new replicas. Likewise, CARB itself has issued a regulation for producing compliant engine packages.

[Jeff Kleiner]

A quick look at the description tells me that FFR might be in the building business soon.

Not gonna’ happen any time soon, if ever.

Jeff

[Skuzzy]

Not gonna’ happen any time soon, if ever.

Jeff

I agree. If they have to go through EPA certification, that cost alone would be enough of a deterrent.

[Badfish]

Saw it this morning, wondering what this may mean (if anything) for how CT treats ‘composite’ cars in the future.

[J R Jones]

Many companies succeed and advance but usually (without external investment) at a pace dictated by profits.
Making the leap to the next level can be so expensive that it is unobtainable despite the potential.
(Harley Davidson almost went under in the eighties until they went public, then had so much money they bought Holiday Rambler WT?)

If this happens for FFR, what product will they pursue? Certainly not the GTR. Methinks the Pre-Runner Truck is more likely for reasons Dave has expressed on video.
jim

[JohnK]

I'm guessing that anyone venturing into this space would need to cater to the ultra-high end of the market in order to make it worthwhile financially. I think Revology is a good example of what this sector of the industry might look like down the road. They make gorgeous replicas of Mustangs which will set you back roughly a quarter of a million dollars, and in seven years they've managed to sell 100 cars.

[Jeff Kleiner]

..:Methinks the Pre-Runner Truck…
jim

Nope, this law is for replicas which the Pre-Runner is not. I guess if it was made to look like a 1970s F-250 ;)

Jefg

[J R Jones]

"The Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act was actually passed into law back in 2015 as a part of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act"
Apply your personal reality and add an emoji.

Paraphrasing Dave: "Avoid the details we do not do well".
OTOH buying an inventory of donor trucks is a foreboding challenge.

I do know a (rich) guy in Washington that had his purchasing department scrub the West Coast buying any Ford they could find to salvage the 427 side oilers for his production of Cobra replicas. Lots of vintage left-overs to divest.
jim

[KenWilkinson]

A quick look at the description tells me that FFR might be in the building business soon.

They could even use the current "catch phrase" just a bit.

"Bought, not Built". :-)