Carver one for sale

[Miracleman89]

If anyone is interested! I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2008-58-REG-CARVER-ONE-660CC-TURBO-/140477137478?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item20b5170246

[Derwin]

I would love to own that sucker, but there are 2 reasons that I can't..... First is the cost which is $40,000/US Dollars. That's a bit steep in my opinion. But even if it cost $20,000, which would be a steal, nobody could import this vehicle and drive it on the roads. Carvers are not EPA and DOT approved, and I think it would be near impossible to get them approved without spending a ton of money. But, hey, if I had the money I would buy this in a heart beat. It's my dream vehicle!

[Kevonthedex]

U aint the only one. I no a bloke selling 2 in the uk but just carnt afford 2 buy it, if thay was cheaper i would love it, i serpose the only way u would b able 2 afford one 1 is if it had 100,000 on the clock lol

[Miracleman89]

Well then, how is it I have seen a couple of carvers on the road back when I was in AZ.?

[Derwin]

Well then, how is it I have seen a couple of carvers on the road back when I was in AZ.?

Are you sure they were Carvers and not some other vehicle?

The only reason I ask is because I've tried to import a vehicle from Europe before, and it was insane dealing with Customs, the DOT and the EPA. This particular vehicle was made by BMW, but it did not have DOT or EPA approval, although it was on the list for allowance in America. The only problem was that it had to go through an incredible amount of customizing by a government approved shop before customs would release it. I spent many hours on the phone with the government and found out a great deal about importing vehicles like this. It's no picnic, to say the least!

Even if the Carver was on the "list" of vehicles allowed in America, it would still have to go to a government approved shop before being street legal, and this is very costly. But I don't think the Carver is even on any government list to begin with.

The only Carvers that I know about being imported in American are the ones that Howard and Ian imported as manufacturers.

I would love to find out different about this, though. If anybody knows of anyone that has imported a Carver to American, and made it street legal, please post about it. I'm sure we would all love to hear more!

[bmwgc1946]

What if a vehicle is used or came in through <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1:place>Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>? Would they have different import rules?

[Derwin]

What if a vehicle is used or came in through Canada? Would they have different import rules?

Absolutely not. It doesn't matter where the vehicle comes from, or what border it crosses when it enters America.

All vehicles need to be DOT and EPA approved before they will be allowed to be titled and tagged to ride on the public roads.

[MVRacing]

Would love to find out that the 2 (or3?) that Ian imported were available for sale!! They are here now- past customs already!! I wouldn't care a wit if they were legal on the road...I'd buy one and drive it!!

I also attempted to import a vehicle from Europe ... back in 81 it was going to cost about $10.5K to get it thru customs.

[Derwin]

Sorry, MVR, but the Carvers that Ian and Howard imported are not (and will never be) available. I was told by a VERY good source that they will either be destroyed or sent back overseas. Ian has actually offered to buy them from the company, but they turned him away. It's all a real shame.

As for importing vehicles.... I once thought it was no big deal, and that we could import any vehicle we wanted. Well, when I actually looked into doing it, my eyes were opened to how incredibly difficult it really is.

The Carver is my dream vehicle. I would actually LOVE to own one. Heck, it would mean the world to me to actually own a Carver. But it's just not feasible.

Again, if anybody has any specific information about a Carver being imported and plated in America, I would sure like to hear about it.

[Super]

Sorry Derwin. Those who know better don't think that Carvers should be driven on the roads of the land of the free.

Super

[Mike kZ]

I found this: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=804&Q=244900 . This is from the state of Connecticut, but is probably the same for most states.

[Derwin]

The key point in your link is...


The applicant must find a "conversion shop" that is federally approved and will make the necessary alterations to the vehicle in accordance with federal standards

This is the very thing that prevented me from importing the BMW vehicle. I actually called one of the federally approved shops, and they gave me the cost which was way beyond what I was willing to pay. It made importing this vehicle prohibitive.

Then the charges from the DOT and the EPA for inspecting the vehicle take it to another realm altogether!

Some people with deep pockets and money to burn have done it with the BMW I'm talking about, but only a very few. Actually, I think the government guy said that he knew of only 3 or 4 nationally that were ever brought in to the country.

Even if we could found a very generous man in Europe that was willing to GIVE US a Carver for FREE, the cost of importing it and getting it through customs would almost make it prohibitive. But, hey, if anybody wants to give me a Carver, I'm willing to give it a try! lol

[johnlaity]

I am in the Uk...But there are 4 more here for sale in the UK on the Carver owners cub site...All are about $12K cheaper.

You might consider shipping via Canada or Mexico?

In terms of driving standards, do you not have Kit Cars in the USA?

In the UK the trick with imports is to ship the car in more than 5 pieces and class it as a Kit Build. Import Duty is then on the value of the components, not the car.

I would be happy to help. ;0)

[Derwin]

In terms of driving standards, do you not have Kit Cars in the USA?

In the UK the trick with imports is to ship the car in more than 5 pieces and class it as a Kit Build. Import Duty is then on the value of the components, not the car.

Hey, that's actually not a bad idea, John. I wonder what it would take to do something like that?

I also wonder what the law is pertaining to kit cars, especially when this is a 3 wheeled vehicle, and not a 4-wheel automobile.

Does anybody know what the rules are pertaining to kit cars with the DOT and EPA? Are they difficult to get registered and plated?

[bmwgc1946]

OK. Seriously what are the DOT & EPA issues with the Carver. I have heard it was primarily the engine and or emissions. Has anybody taken the time ( Ian) to list the Carvers issues. I know people have commented on the “tilting technology” not meeting somebody’s liability standards. Do we know if DOT had issues with the Persu tilting technology? I know we can’t afford to retro a Carver without spending $$$$ but wouldn’t it be good to know what design requirements (for future dream machines) are out there for imported vehicles. In other words what are the standards that have to be met? I think anyone (not me) playing with designs should be aware of what they face.

[Derwin]

OK. Seriously what are the DOT & EPA issues with the Carver. I have heard it was primarily the engine and or emissions. Has anybody taken the time ( Ian) to list the Carvers issues.

The fact that the Carver has not been made to meet the specific requirements of the DOT and EPA means that they must go to a government approved shop. Even if the Carver met all of the requirements, it is still not a vehicle that has been registered with and approved by the DOT and the EPA. It would still have to go through the system, which means a great deal of time and money.

I tried to import a BMW C1 a while back. This is a simple bike that would surely meet all of the DOT and EPA standards. It has even been placed on a "pre-approved" list for being imported. But because it was not specifically made for the American market, and did not get the DOT and EPA testing, it was required to go to government approved shop and have alterations done to it. The cost of that, along with the DOT and EPA testing charges, made the import of the vehicle prohibitive for me, and I ended up backing out on the entire thing.

So, the Carver would be in the same position. Actually, it would be in a worse position because I'm sure it is not on a "pre-approved" list for importation.

Breaking it down and importing the shell, and then various component parts separately, though, is something I never investigated.

[Jonesy Wales]

The stealth black Carver that's for sale, was sold back in August at auction for £15 grand - Damn I wish I'd had the spare cash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKi-43B6vyo.

http://www.manheimremarketing.co.uk/newsroom/press_releases/PR066-10.pdf

The Birmingham motor traders that bought it, had it up for sale recently for £75,000!!! Yes you read that right. Understandably there were no takers, it's now recently been reduced down to it's present £30K.

Johnlaity - can you give me the link for the other Carvers that are for sale ( I'm still dreaming that one day I'll be able to afford one), and also the a link for the Carver owners site you mentioned. I've found one UK Carver owners site but it looks inactive. TIA.

[bmwgc1946]

So when do DOT & EPA get involved? Is it just for imports? What if it is something made in USA? For example if you build a kit or a recombination of existing parts.
http://btw-rikers.org/uploads/classifieds/clad_show.php?num=5861&tab=1 (http://btw-rikers.org/uploads/classifieds/clad_show.php?num=5861&tab=1) (just a sample for discussion)
I believe there are different requirements for four wheels(car) vs three wheels (motorcycle). Who knows the rules?

[Miracleman89]

Well I don't have any idea how it is done or what would need to be done to them, but I know one thing for certain and that is, the two vehicles I saw were in fact Carver Ones!! I wish to this day I would have had my brain working at the time cause I would have used my cell phone to catch it on video!

[Derwin]

Well I don't have any idea how it is done or what would need to be done to them, but I know one thing for certain and that is, the two vehicles I saw were in fact Carver Ones!!

I'll do some more digging around to find out exactly when these 2 Carvers were imported, and by whom.
This is all a matter of public record, and I just have to make a few phone calls to the appropriate offices.

I would like to know what it took to import them. I know for certain that whoever done it had very deep pockets.

[chaster]

Miracleman89, did you happen to notice if they had US plates on them? Maybe they were Canadian and "just visiting"... heh..

[carversa]

I am a Carver owner and I am residing in South Africa. I have been doing some research on inner city traveling in the future and a typing error took me to the then Carver website. Saw the prototype and place the first order in the world, paid the deposit and close to 30 months later I was the proud owner of the Carver, built no 34. Yes, I have sent thousands of e-mails trying to obtain the correct permit and even then was unsuccessful. The authorities were in the process of creating a new category/class vehicle to cater for three wheelers. According to the import permit, I could not drive the Carver on public roads... For nearly 15 months I have driven the Carver clandestinely in the dead of the night. One day. I have received a call from the authorities.. they have decided that the Carver should be registered... as a motor cycle. I have done that and since then I have done almost 21000 kilometers in my Carver. Not once have my safety been compromised and not once have the DVC technology failed. The DVC needs its service like any other car. I have the only Carver in South Africa and quite frankly, money cannot buy it. With the demise of Carver in Europe, Carvers became collectors items. Mine is still in mint condition and whenever you visit South Africa and you want an extreme experience in a mountain pass, please call me. Nothing in life can prepare you for the feeling when you enter into turn after turn with no g-forces pulling on your body and with the tilt siren screaming from the dash board. This is my Pro Zak. This is what motoring should be about.

There are indeed safety concerns which was glossed over in promotional material. Front end and rear end collisions have been computer modeled and the safety cage should allow you to walk away. When doing some modifications on the gearshift, the door panel came off. There are no side impact bars. You will not survive a side impact collision. With that knowledge, I have become a very cautious driver. I will make absolutely certain that vehicle stop at intersection before moving on. I am at all times aware of the other motorists around me and have increased my following distances. On a highway, the Carver can be quite boring. This has been built for roads that bank, with a lot of curves and mountain passes.

Was it worth the effort? Yes, although way too expensive then, the Carver is an exceptional vehicle. I am a very fortunate man to drive an irreplaceable vehicle. Put a Carver and a high end sports car in the parking lot, the Carver will always attract the most attention.

[Derwin]

You're a very fortunate man, carverusa! You own the vehicle that many of us only DREAM of owning.

If I ever find my way to South Africa, I will surely look you up!

[Miracleman89]

And for the record I do not recall if the plates were us or otherwise! I was just stoked to see them!

[Derwin]

And for the record I do not recall if the plates were us or otherwise! I was just stoked to see them!

PLEEEEEEASE take a picture next time you come across any Carvers in the U.S.! lol The only ones I know of being in America are the ones owned by Persu. It would be really interesting to know about anyone else owning one in American since they're not "street legal" unless you're a manufacturer.

Chaster may be right.... it may have been somebody visiting from Canada. Seeing that we are the largest forum in America for this vehicle, I'm surprised the owner isn't a member of the club!

[Miracleman89]

Yeah I know!!! I could have kicked myself about 20 min. later when I realized I had a camera in my phone!!! I just didn't think about my phone also being a camera when it happened!!! I was sooooo stoked, I guess I just was not thinking straight! Or maybe I am not use to the idea that a phone small enough to fit in my pocket has a camera. I was raised in the early 80's, the first phone I can remember that we had in our house was a rotary phone! That thing weighed like 50 lbs. and could be used as a weapon if you had an intruder and that was just the hand set!!!!! LOL

[Aaron]

I know a guy who imported a Nissan Skyline about 10-12 years ago and his cost, including purchase price, was about $80k. But, he also said they hit him with extra red tape because it was a Skyline particularly.

Still, the episode of Jay Leno's garage featuring the CarverOne shows it can be done, because they have one with a Michigan tag on it, if you have the cash to do it.