I was wondering just last week why no one has tried to import Morgan complete rolling chassis to the USA without engine and gearbox and have the drive train installed upon arrival. There are many cars available here that are imported that way and are apparently road legal as they are licensed, registered and driving around the streets. Caterham, Superperformance, Kirkham and Ariel come to the top of my head and I know there are probably a dozen more kit car manufacturers of Cobras and Porsche Speedsters. Each state has its own regulations concerning these cars but I don't believe there is any state where they are prohibited. In Pennsylvania where I live, the kit cars need to undergo an "enhanced inspection" by a state licensed garage before they can be licensed. They need not comply with front or side impact requirements for new cars and don't need airbags or to comply with current emissions requirements. My Morgan, a 1995 4/4, was brought into the US and modified by Cantab Motors with side impact beams and reinforced front and rear bumpers. There is a plate on the door indicating that Cantab was the manufacturer and that the vehicle is subject to several exceptions granted from federal new car requirements. It appears that this was the only way to import a 4 cylinder gasoline engined Morgan to the US in the mid 1990s. I also don't see a problem with the authenticity of a Morgan assembled at the factory minus engine and trans and exported like that. To me its no different than if someone puts a different engine in their 1950s 4/4 or changes the carbs or transmission.
