[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10764]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-34; Notice 1]

 

Receipt of Petition for Determination That Nonconforming 1971 
Rolls Royce Corniche Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for determination that 
nonconforming 1971 Rolls Royce Corniche passenger cars are eligible for 
importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a determination that a 
1971 Rolls Royce Corniche that was not originally manufactured to 
comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is 
eligible for importation into the United States because (1) it is 
substantially similar to a vehicle that was originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and that was certified 
by its manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) it 
is capable of being readily modified to conform to the standards.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is June 6, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number and notice 
number, and be submitted to: Docket Section, room 5109, National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Bayler, Office of Vehicle Safety 
Compliance, NHTSA (202)-366-5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under Section 108(c)(3)(A)(i) of the National Traffic and Motor 
Vehicle Safety Act (the Act), 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(A)(i), a motor 
vehicle that was originally manufactured to conform to all applicable 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards shall be refused admission into 
the United States on and after January 31, 1990, unless NHTSA has 
determined that the motor vehicle is substantially similar to a motor 
vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the 
United States, certified under section 114 of the Act, and of the same 
model year as the model of the motor vehicle to be compared, and is 
capable of being readily modified to conform to all applicable Federal 
motor vehicle safety standards.
    Petitions for eligibility determinations may be submitted by either 
manufacturers or importers who have registered with NHTSA pursuant to 
49 CFR Part 592. As specified in 49 CFR 593.7, NHTSA publishes notice 
in the Federal Register of each petition that it receives, and affords 
interested persons an opportunity to comment on the petition. At the 
close of the comment period, NHTSA determines, on the basis of the 
petition and any comments that it has received, whether the vehicle is 
eligible for importation. The agency then publishes this determination 
in the Federal Register.
    J.K. Motors of Kingsville, Maryland (``J.K.'') (Registered Importer 
R-90-006) has petitioned NHTSA to determine whether 1971 Rolls Royce 
Corniche passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United 
States. The vehicle which J.K. believes is substantially similar is the 
1971 Rolls Royce Corniche that was manufactured for importation into 
and sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer, Rolls 
Royce Motors, Inc., as conforming to all applicable Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner stated that it carefully compared the non-U.S. 
certified version of the 1971 Rolls Royce Corniche to its U.S. 
certified counterpart, and found that the two vehicles are 
substantially similar with respect to compliance with most applicable 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    J.K. submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1971 Rolls Royce Corniche, as 
originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified counterpart, or is 
capable of being readily modified to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1971 Rolls Royce Corniche is identical to its U.S. certified 
counterpart with respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 102 
Transmission Shift Lever Sequence * * *, 103 Defrosting and Defogging 
Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic Brake 
Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 107 Reflecting Surfaces, 109 New Pneumatic 
Tires, 111 Rearview Mirrors, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 
124 Accelerator Control Systems, 201 Occupant Protection in Interior 
Impact, 202 Head Restraints, 203 Impact Protection for the Driver From 
the Steering Control System, 204 Steering Control Rearward 
Displacement, 205 Glazing Materials, 206 Door Locks and Door Retention 
Components, 207 Seating Systems, 208 Occupant Crash Protection, 209 
Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages, 211 Wheel 
Nuts, Wheel Discs and Hubcaps, 212 Windshield Retention, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of 
Interior Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the 1971 Rolls Royce 
Corniche complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581.
    Petitioner also contends that the 1971 Rolls Royce Corniche is 
capable of being readily modified to meet the following standards, in 
the manner indicated:
    Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: (a) Substitution of a lens 
marked ``Brake'' for a lens with an ECE symbol on the brake failure 
indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp; (c) 
recalibration of the speedometer/odometer from kilometers to miles per 
hour.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies which 
incorporate sealed beam headlamps and front sidemarkers; (b) 
installation of U.S.-Model taillamp assemblies which incorporate rear 
sidemarkers: (c) installation of a high mounted stop lamp.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a buzzer 
microswitch in the steering lock assembly, and a warning buzzer.
    Standard No. 115 Vehicle Identification Number: installation of a 
VIN plate that can be read from outside the left windshield pillar, and 
a VIN reference label on the edge of the door or latch post nearest the 
driver.
    Standard No. 118 Power Window Systems: installation of a relay in 
the power window circuit so that the window transport is inoperative 
when the ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: installation of a check 
valve and factory-supplied gas cap to prevent any fuel loss in the 
event of a 30 mph front or rear impact.
    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition 
described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be 
submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, room 5109, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590. It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted.
    All comments received before the close of business on the closing 
date indicated above will be considered, and will be available for 
examination in the docket at the above address both before after that 
date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing date 
will be considered. Notice of final action on the petition will be 
published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated 
below.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(A)(i)(I) and (C)(ii); 49 CFR 
593.8; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.

    Issued on: April 29, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-10764 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M