2023 has arrived and there are some exciting debuts to look forward to this year. In just a few days, we’ll be looking at a number of concepts during the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but if you’re more into vehicles from the 1990s, we have good news. The arrival of a new calendar year means there is now a new batch of cars that can be legally imported into the United States under the 25 year rule.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you can legally import a motorized vehicle that is at least 25 years old and a declaration form must be provided to Customs at the time of import. It is important to note that the 25 year period runs from the vehicle’s manufacturing date and not the year the vehicle debuted. This means that if a certain model generation debuted in 1998 but a certain car was produced later, it is not yet legal to import it into the US.
We’ve put together a list of five cool vehicles that can now be legally imported and driven in the United States. There is also an honorable mention in the form of a rather strange family vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Straßen version
Mercedes completed a total of 25 of these vehicles in 1998 and 1999, and if you found one for sale from the first model year, you can now take it to the United States. Actually, the CLK GTR already qualifies under show rules, but under the 25 year rule, there is no limit on annual mileage.
Featuring a naturally aspirated 6.9-liter V12 engine, the CLK GTR is a monster supercar with a peak output of 622 horsepower (464 kilowatts). The six-speed sequential transmission sends all power to the rear wheels. Acceleration from 0 to 62 miles per hour (0-100 kilometers per hour) takes less than 4.0 seconds.
19 Photo
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
One of our all-time favorite cars, the Lancer Evo V made its debut in 1998, meaning vehicles from the first model year can now be legally imported into the US. It’s not just a rebodied version of the Evo IV as the newer performance sedan comes with chassis and suspension upgrades, as well as hardware upgrades for the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine under the hood. Peak power officially remains the same at 276 horsepower (206 kilowatts), but the vehicle is generally nimbler and easier to drive than its predecessor.
3 Photo
Rover 75
The Rover 75 debuted at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1998, meaning only the earliest examples were eligible for US import. The top variant for the first model year had a 2.5-liter V6 engine developing 175 hp (130 kW), mated to a five-speed Getrag manual gearbox or a five-speed Jatco automatic.
More than just a performance car, the Rover 75 has been praised for its agile road behavior and comfortable cabin. Its main competitors at that time were the Alfa Romeo 156, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, and others. The sedan (also available as a wagon in some markets) was the first Rover made after BMW took over the company.
Volkswagen Lupo
The VW Lupo was introduced in 1998 as the brand’s entry-level model for the European market. The platform was from the third generation Polo and the vehicle was actually a rebadged version of the Spanish SEAT Arosa that was released a year earlier. While the regular version was nothing, the GTI model that was launched two years later was a hit.
It was advertised as a spiritual successor to the original Golf GTI MK1 and had a 1.6 liter naturally aspirated gas engine. Other notable versions included the Lupo 3L, which was built with the aim of being the world’s first production car to consume at least 3 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers (79 miles per US gallon).
15 Photo
Subaru Impreza 22B
This is another example of a car that was previously legal to import in the United States under show-and-show rules, but starting in 2023, you can also import them under the 25 year rule. This means that there are no restrictions regarding the annual mileage and this is certainly remarkable considering that the Impreza 22B is a true driving machine.
It had a bored 2.2 liter engine with 276 hp (206 kW) and a unique blue exterior color. Only 400 units were produced between March and August 1998 with all of them selling out just two days after Subaru of Japan opened order books.
Fiat Multipla
You must have seen our honorable mention car on many lists for worst automotive design. However, we have a soft spot for it, as the unique 3+3 seat layout in the cabin makes it a very handy machine. The exterior isn’t particularly impressive with the odd front fascia design, but this doesn’t make it impossible for Multipla to win over it. Best Gear Car of the Year award in 2000.
Production began in October 1998, which means you can now legally import one of the first assembled examples. Fiat gave the Multipla a much needed facelift in 2004 but it was a bit too late as its image as one of the ugliest cars in the world was already very popular.
29 Photo
