Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized on Monday a 1994 Cizeta V16T, a rare supercar with fewer than a dozen in existence that is not legal to drive or own in the United States. According to an affidavit provided for the seizure warrant, the car was imported on Feb. 17, 2001, on a one-year bond to have mechanical work done. While the car was never sold in the United States, the founder and owner of Cizeta, Claudio Zampolli, lives in California. Last month, the agency learned that the Cizeta V16T was still in the country, stored in a warehouse in Fountain Valley, Calif. Operating on a tip from an investigator at the California Air Resources Board, ICE agents found the car at a classic car showroom in nearby San Juan Capistrano, where, on Monday, they seized the car. “Make no mistake, the illegal importation of gray market vehicles like this is not just a technical violation,” Miguel Unzueta, a special agent in charge of the Los Angeles office, said in a statement. “Cars that don’t meet U.S. standards are outlawed for a reason. These vehicles can pose a real threat to public health and safety.” Thank you US Customs for keeping me safe from a single example of a car that is rarely driven and is often shown. Post created and sent from iPhone while driving through a school zone and dunking a doughnut in my coffee. <-sarcasim
You need to Irish that coffee up a bit, do they have drive-thru liquor stores in Texas? Seriously though, the argument could be made that since the vehicle is not registered or operated on the streets and purely on display for it's historical, artistic and I'd guess sentimental value it poses no real danger or threat and this is an illegal search. I know of a private collection in Florida with a replica of the original 1770 Cugnot steam car, they better get on this menace to society as well. And there is a provision for show/display vehicles with the NHTSA:
This is a stupid use of resources for sure... but the owner should have just done the paperwork to get it allowed as a non-street car or whatever. If the gov is smart, they'll charge a fine, have the guy do the paperwork, and the car can be used for display/show whatever. Matt
Wow, what a freakin' waste! If this is the case, this entire museum collection should be confiscated: Simeone Museum It's an amazing museum, and all the cars are in working order.
In all fairness the car was here on a one year bond for service and that had expired. It's quite possible this all could have been handled with paper work and some phone calls instead of the draconian method the feds used.
Wow, it only to them 8 years to catch a car.... So how long will it take to get 14 million illegals out ? NEVER....:mad2:
That's too bad... It's quite the opportunity... Charge 25% of the car value to get it back to the owner as long as he does the paperwork. Gov makes some money, guy keeps the car, paperwork gets done, life would go on just fine. Matt
And we wonder what's wrong with this country. Who can possibly believe this is a worthwhile expenditure of law enforcement time and resources?
I kind of agree with this but then again, the guy broke the law. The cost to enforce lots of little things is much less than the equivalent harm, so should all that be legal? Really, it depends on how this resolves if it's a total waste or a money maker. Matt