import a 4 eye?

[Chrome_Rush]

I'm looking at possibly getting a mint 85 mercury marquis for a really good price, obviously its in canada, its only about 2 hours from me, but it would have to be imported, anyone know how hard it is or what I would need?

[bobbawon]

It'd probably be easier just to move to Canada...

[Chrome_Rush]

is it really that difficult? I have heard of a lot of people from canada bringing cars from the u.s. without much trouble, I don't see why it would be harder coming this way. Plus if I moved to canada I would have to import the 3 cars I already own lol.

[Durango]

You know that label on your valve cover - that one that has either fallen off, become unreadable and / or been painted over - the one with the timing and idle specs on it?

Well, somewhere on that label it says something to the effect iof "This vehicle conforms to US (and / or California) emission standards"

If the Marquis has one of those labels - you're golden. If not, then it's probably not worth the effort as it has to be imported by a bonded company and be modified and certified to meet those standards before you can even take posession of it - otherwise it must be destroyed.

http://foreignborn.com/visas_imm/ent...ingyourcar.htm

Shoot - looks like it might have been easier before it hit 25 years old - If I am reading this correctly, looks like if it was built before 1989 but less than 25 years old there was an OK to import (at least as far as the DOT was concerned) http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig092210.pdf

If Ford certified it for the US, but didnt sell it here that is gonna make things *much* easier - but regardless of what it says under the hood, I would make some phone calls and actually speak with some of these officials before any money changes hands on the car...

I did notice if you are active duty military you can bring them in (at least temporarily)

Last edit: Looks like there are a handful of Registered Importers working out of Michigan who are probably very familiar with bringing cars in from Canada. Here: http://foreignborn.com/visas_imm/ent...ers_062609.pdf

[Chrome_Rush]

I'm not sure if it would have the sticker, but the marquis was built in the u.s. and is identical to the ltd, I'm pretty sure there identical under the hood as well. Both are cfi 3.8 cars. I will have to see if it has the sticker, even if it doesn't though as long as both cars are identical under the hood, and one was sold here, both built here, I would think it would meet our emissions standards. It would be nice if I could go pick it up, and just drive it across.

[bobbawon]

What I said earlier was just a joke, but it can be a real PITA from what I've heard... I've never tried it myself, but I have looked into it

[Durango]

I'm not sure if it would have the sticker, but the marquis was built in the u.s. and is identical to the ltd, I'm pretty sure there identical under the hood as well. Both are cfi 3.8 cars. I will have to see if it has the sticker, even if it doesn't though as long as both cars are identical under the hood, and one was sold here, both built here, I would think it would meet our emissions standards. It would be nice if I could go pick it up, and just drive it across.

Just because the Marquis was built here doesn't mean a thing. If it was intended for export it may not have all the emission or safety components the US spec model does. Ford, Chrysler and GM all build vehicles here meant for export to other countries. Don't think for a minute that Ford or any other OEM would put a $800 US spec catalytic converter (for example) on a car going to another country with less stringent standards that would be met by a $400 converter. Even if it the car *is* certified to US standards, I'm not convinced you could just buy it and drive it across the border. Invest some time and call one of the Michigan RIs and ask them.

[Chrome_Rush]

I checked under the hood of my ltd and the sticker is on the underside of the hood, so it would likely be on the car in question, if it has the same text though I won't know without asking the guy. What is RI short for, I'm really not sure who to call. I would think they would have it all on file though and could tell me if the car complies with u.s. safety and emissions standards. I know canada was often behind the u.s. with emmisions. For example an 85-87 tempo u.s. model has cfi injection, where canada used a carb on them until 88, both cars are cfi though, if it only ends up needing an upgraded cat I would pay to have it replaced before taking it to the border.

The car is said to be immaculate in and out, its already the color I want to paint my ltd, so it would save me a bunch of money having mine painted, the guy wants 900 obo for it. I would like to get this one and sell my ltd. Unless someone wants to sell me an ltd in that condition that is a decent color cheap lol.

[bobbawon]

I would put a down payment on it and find out the info on it. If you really want to, you can swap the drivetrain from your other car... That, or you can buy it and swap your VIN #'s and part yours out... That may not be completely legal, but that hasn't stopped people before! I'm half kidding, but if you really want to, there's no harm done if you do that and get it smog legal... Just keep it on the down low I guess.

[bobbawon]

Ok, yeah, 5 mins of research and swapping VIN's=probably the worst idea out there... lol

[Chrome_Rush]

Lol ya that's a bad idea, but I found the epa list... according to the list, it will comply unless the 8th vin digit is a 3, anybody know what that digit means?

http://www.epa.gov/oms/imports/canadian/canlis95.htm

[bobbawon]

Try this part of the forum and post back here to share your research
http://www.vb.foureyedpride.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52

[Chrome_Rush]

one part of it looks like the 8th digit is engine, but when i look across the bottom on it it says 8th spot is for a/c? I also dont see anything that says what the 3rd digit is. I did check my vim on my ltd and the 8th digit is a 3, so im a little less enthusiastic now, because both cars have the 3.8.

[Durango]

Lol ya that's a bad idea, but I found the epa list... according to the list, it will comply unless the 8th vin digit is a 3, anybody know what that digit means?

http://www.epa.gov/oms/imports/canadian/canlis95.htm

From that link:

Certain 1986 model year (10th digit of VIN = G) cars:

All Escort, Lynx, EXP, Continental, Mark VII and Town Car.

All Tempo/Topaz except those with R in the 8th VIN position.

All Mustang, Cabri, LTD, Marquis, Thunderbird, Cougar except those with 3 in the 8th VIN position.


Not 1985, 1986 . This seems to jive with the 25 year old comment I made in one of my first posts. As to who to call, the CI (Certified Importer) list I mentioned and gave a link to in the same post.

What I am trying to get at is before you lay dime one on this car, spend a few minutes on the phone with one of the importers in Michigan to find out what the real deal is. Could be if its USA certified you don't need a CI at all. You might need one no matter if its certified or not. That part wasn't really clear. If you do need their services, find out what it costs. It probably will make the importation not worth it.

Hell, call the Department of Motor Vehicles (or whatever its called) in your state and ask them. As you are right on the border, it has to be a much more common occurance that it is here in CA (where we probably get vehicles from Mexico instead - and I dont know the answer to that either, but I bet the DMV here would know if I called them...

[Durango]

one part of it looks like the 8th digit is engine, but when i look across the bottom on it it says 8th spot is for a/c? I also dont see anything that says what the 3rd digit is. I did check my vim on my ltd and the 8th digit is a 3, so im a little less enthusiastic now, because both cars have the 3.8.

8th digit of the vin *is* the engine designation.

[Chrome_Rush]

I guess im going to just have to make a few calls and see what I can dig up.

[KCoker]

I'm looking at possibly getting a mint 85 mercury marquis for a really good price, obviously its in canada, its only about 2 hours from me, but it would have to be imported, anyone know how hard it is or what I would need?

I had a svo imported. It had to be shipped to Alabama so I went through a company call CANAM Logistics, I think they were in Utah. It cost me $400 for them to do the paperwork and get it through customs with the shipping company. I had to get pictues of the data sticker on the door, tire size, seat belts and overal car from several different angles. If it does not have to be shipped it should be alot easier.

[gr79]

Remember the speedometer/odometer is different for Canada cars.
That may have to be changed to US system.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/bas...orting_car.xml
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7...823--F,00.html

[Chrome_Rush]

I doubt getting an american speedo will be hard, and the car has the carbed 3.8, so the 8th digit in the vin is c, not 3. So there is a glimmer of hope.

[bobbawon]

Nice!

[FoxChassis]

No "C" engines in '85, only "A" (2.3L), "3" (3.8L CFI in US, or 2V in Canada), and "M" (5.0L CFI).