[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31852]


[Federal Register: December 28, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-98; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision that Nonconforming 
1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS passenger cars are eligible for importation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1973 
Ferrari Dino 246 GTS 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 altered to conform to the standards.

DATE: The closing date for comments on the petition is January 27, 
1995.

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 am to 4 pm].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section 
108(c)(3)(A)(i)(I) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act 
(the Act)), a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured to 
conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards shall 
be refused admission into the United States unless NHTSA has decided 
that the motor vehicle is substantially similar to a motor vehicle 
originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United 
States, certified under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30115 (formerly 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 altered to conform to 
all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    Petitions for eligibility decisions 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 decides, 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 decision in 
the Federal Register.
    G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. of Santa Ana, California (``G&K'') 
(Registered Importer 90-007) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS passenger cars are eligible for importation 
into the United States. The vehicle which G&K believes is substantially 
similar is the 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS that was manufactured for 
importation into and sale in, the United States and certified by its 
manufacturer, Ferrari Automobile Sefac, as conforming to all applicable 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. 
certified 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS to its U.S. certified counterpart, 
and found the two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to 
compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    G&K submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate 
that the non-U.S. certified 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, 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 altered to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS is identical to is U.S. certified counterpart 
with respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 101 Controls and 
Displays, 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence * * * 103 Defrosting 
and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 106 
Brake Hoses, 107 Reflecting Surfaces, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 111 
Rearview Mirror, 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, 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, 301 Fuel System Integrity, and 302 
Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being 
readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner 
indicated:
    Standard No. 105 Hydraulic Brake Systems: inscription of the word 
``Brake'' on the lens of the brake failure indicator lamp.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) installation of U.S.-model sealed beam headlamps and 
front sidemarkers; (b) installation of U.S.-model taillamp lenses and 
rear sidemarkers.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer 
microswitch and a warning buzzer in the steering lock assembly.
    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. 116. Brake Fluid: placement of a label with the 
required information on or near the brake fluid cap.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: installation of a seat 
belt warning system with a lighted symbol. The petitioner states that 
the vehicle is equipped with a lap belt and upper torso restraint in 
each of its two designated seating positions.
    Standard No. 214 Side Door Strength: installation of reinforcing 
beams.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the bumpers on the non-
U.S. certified 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS must be reinforced to comply 
with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581.
    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, S.W., 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 and after 
that date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing 
date will also be considered. Notice of final action on the petition 
will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority 
indicated below.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141 (a)(1)(A) and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.8; 
delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.

    Issued on December 21, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-31852 Filed 12-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M