It's wild to think it's illegal to import these key European cars to the US

Have you ever considered that some European cars are simply not allowed in the country?

Due to differing laws and regulations, cars that are allowed to take the road can look extremely different from country to country.

The United States is, of course, no different.

And some of the cars not allowed into the country might come as a surprise.

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There are no two ways about it, the US certainly has a good variety of cars on the road.

From luxury vehicles like the Mansory Mercedes-AMG G 63 to EVs like the Tesla Roadster and pickup trucks, cars also vary drastically from state to state.

In fact, to keep up with demand, charging stations in California now outnumber gas pumps in the state.

But, there’s actually whole list of European cars that have been banned in the country.

Firstly, the 1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo once topped the no-no list of whips.

The exotic Lamborghini Diablo Strosek was certainly a powerhouse, which you guessed it, was part of the reason why it was on the banned list.

The Lamborghini was launched in 1990 and had a 5.7-liter V12 under its hood that produced 595 horsepower, which allowed it it to soar to speeds up to 208mph.

Now, it might seem out of the ordinary considering that Lamborghinis are driven in all corners of the US today, but the older model was once deemed too much.

Not only that, but it had design changes that meant it didn’t meet US safety standards, including high side mirrors and modified bumpers.

Its high speed capabilities combined with design changes contributed to its prohibition.

There are some exceptions though, thanks to the US’ 25-year rule.

“A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS,” states the NHTSA.

Another car that was forbidden from being imported to the US was the 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution III.

This was initially banned due to the sheer power of the engine.

The car was powered by an engine that was designed to compete with Audi’s V8.

There was a limited production run of the car, with the vehicle now deemed desirable by many gearheads.

However, thanks to the 25 year rule, this car was finally able to land on US soil after 2015.

If you’re thinking about importing any of these European cars to the US, check the guidelines and then check again – as they are constantly changing.

“While many foreign cars are indeed banned from American roads, there are exceptions and legal loopholes that can allow determined enthusiasts to own and drive these vehicles,” Border 123.com states.

“These exceptions may include vehicles that are more than 25 years old, specialized racing vehicles, or cars that are modified to meet American safety and emissions standards.”

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