RIV: I'm puzzled...

[mike_1103]

Guys,

Sent an e-mail to the RIV (Registrat of Imported Vehicles) a month ago inquiring about the required bumper modifications on a 2007 Corvette Coupe.

Got the following reply today (you can see I sent my e-mail on April 6th):

Objet: RE: RE : RE: Info - Required modifications on a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Date : Thu, 8 May 2008 10:55:00 -0400
De : "Lima, Christina" <CLima@riv.ca>
À : "Michel Robichaud" <mike_1103@yahoo.ca>

Sorry we don't have the information on the coupe.

You'll need to contact GENERAL MOTORS yourself to inquiry.

Regards

Christina Lima
Team Lead, Registrar of Imported Vehicles

405 The West Mall, Suite 400
Toronto, ON M9C 5K7
Fax: 416-626-0366
1-888-848-8240
mailto:clima@riv.ca




-----Original Message-----
From: Michel Robichaud [mailto:mike_1103@yahoo.ca]
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 7:32 AM
To: Lima, Christina
Subject: RE : RE: Info - Required modifications on a 2007 Chevrolet
Corvette Coupe


Christina,

Thank you for your reply.

However, you didn't answer any of my questions. I know the car is
admissible right now, I know the list changes frequently and that I must
check regularily, I know the import process, and I know bumper
modifications are required (for now).

Here are my questions again:

1 - What are the required modifications on a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
Coupe (non Z06)?

2 - Can these modifications be performed by an American authorized
dealer BEFORE importation to Canada?

3 - What proof do you require to confirm that the modifications have
been done?

4 - Will you accept a printout from an authorized American dealer
instead of a recall Clearance Letter for this vehicle?

Thanks in advance,

Michel Robichaud

Now... How can they enforce something they don't know? Let's assume I tell them I did contact General Motors and they (GM) told me I only need to change, say, the front plate holder? How will they check that? I just show them an invoide for the parts and labor and that's it?

As far as the bumper mods are concerned... I searched the forum and found the required mods on this post: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1813147

... but they apply only to 2005 and 2006 MY. Anyone knows what are the required mods for 2007 MY and/or whom should I contact at GM to get this information?

[Ace77]

RIV only administers the program, ie. pushes paper around.
Contact an inspection center, to see what they will check, and how, in order to fill out the form that gives the green light to RIV to accept your particular vehicle.

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/inspection_centres.html

I would go with an independant as opposed to Canadian Tire.

[Kovimo]

My response, based on what I did to import mine last year. My C6 is a 2005. If the process has changed since November, please someone correct me.

1 - What are the required modifications on a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
Coupe (non Z06)?

The same as years... 05 and 06. RIV can't tell you because they only know per GM that "Bumper Modifications" need to be done... you are at the mercy of GM to tell you what has to be done. You have found the thread that discusses that... you should be good to go.

2 - Can these modifications be performed by an American authorized
dealer BEFORE importation to Canada?

A Forum member from Alberta / BC just brought back a C6 Vert from Florida and had the modifications done there by a collision centre that deals with the dealer he purchased the vehicle from. It was a recent posting... he can discuss with you better.

3 - What proof do you require to confirm that the modifications have
been done?

You need to show Canadian Tire (RIV's federal inspector) the invoice showing that the work has been done. When I did this, the inspector barely glanced at it for but a brief second. All that money for that???

4 - Will you accept a printout from an authorized American dealer
instead of a recall Clearance Letter for this vehicle?

I had my dealer print off a history of my vehicle from their GM database... they input the VIN and it spits out a ton of info... Recall info, options, and other stuff. Then I asked them to attach a company logoed letter that page indicating "as per attached" that the vehicle had no recall campaigns outstanding.

[z060-0]

I had a printout from a dealer in US 2 weeks ago showing that the recall had been done. RIV would not accept this & had to pay the 250.00 bucks from GM Vintage Services.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by z060-0

I had a printout from a dealer in US 2 weeks ago showing that the recall had been done. RIV would not accept this & had to pay the 250.00 bucks from GM Vintage Services.

You must of not had the right paperwork, they will accept a GM vehicle Inquiry System Summary, I have used it with my last 4 GM's and I am using it on my Z06 right away, another member who just did his, used it too.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by Kovimo

My response, based on what I did to import mine last year. My C6 is a 2005. If the process has changed since November, please someone correct me.

1 - What are the required modifications on a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
Coupe (non Z06)?

The same as years... 05 and 06. RIV can't tell you because they only know per GM that "Bumper Modifications" need to be done... you are at the mercy of GM to tell you what has to be done. You have found the thread that discusses that... you should be good to go.

2 - Can these modifications be performed by an American authorized
dealer BEFORE importation to Canada?

A Forum member from Alberta / BC just brought back a C6 Vert from Florida and had the modifications done there by a collision centre that deals with the dealer he purchased the vehicle from. It was a recent posting... he can discuss with you better.

3 - What proof do you require to confirm that the modifications have
been done?

You need to show Canadian Tire (RIV's federal inspector) the invoice showing that the work has been done. When I did this, the inspector barely glanced at it for but a brief second. All that money for that???

4 - Will you accept a printout from an authorized American dealer
instead of a recall Clearance Letter for this vehicle?

I had my dealer print off a history of my vehicle from their GM database... they input the VIN and it spits out a ton of info... Recall info, options, and other stuff. Then I asked them to attach a company logoed letter that page indicating "as per attached" that the vehicle had no recall campaigns outstanding.

Everything here is correct.

[mike_1103]

Originally Posted by Racer44

they will accept a GM vehicle Inquiry System Summary

Does this need to be on a special letterhead paper or does it need a dealer's stamp?

A friend of mine works at a dealership and (of course) has access to GMVIS. Can I ask him to send this printout in a PDF file and forward this to the RIV by e-mail? I'm sure a lot of Corvette Forum members also have access to GMVIS...

[spicytuna]

I bent over the chair and paid GM $250 for the recall clearance letter.

But if you think we have it bad, you should check out the BMW owners who are trying to get a clearance letter from BMW Canada. They won't issue the letter until they get the instrument cluster replaced at a cost of around $5,000.

[z060-0]

The paper I had said General Motors on the top. Listed that the recall had been performed, all service records to date. I faxed it to RIV. They E-mailed me back & said this was not acceptable. I phoned them to verify this, they said NO GOOD. I phoned GM vintage Services within minutes, they sent their paper to RIV. 2 hours later I phoned RIV to confirm fax. 250.00 later, everything was cool

[Racer]

Originally Posted by mike_1103

Does this need to be on a special letterhead paper or does it need a dealer's stamp?

A friend of mine works at a dealership and (of course) has access to GMVIS. Can I ask him to send this printout in a PDF file and forward this to the RIV by e-mail? I'm sure a lot of Corvette Forum members also have access to GMVIS...

OK, just in case things had changed, as they change frequently . I just talked to the RIV by telephone. I told him I had no recall letter but I got the dealership to print out a GM Vehicle Inquiry System Summary and asked him if this is OK for my 2007 Corvette Z06. He said, yes that is fine sir...and that is a quote.. So, I can't really tell you if it needs a Company stamp on it or not. I did look at my last two and they had no Company stamp on them. Hope this helps.

[spicytuna]

Originally Posted by Racer44

He said, yes that is fine sir...and that is a quote.. So, I can't really tell you if it needs a Company stamp on it or not. I did look at my last two and they had no Company stamp on them. Hope this helps.

Let me guess. You caught him at 4:55pm on a Friday afternoon.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by FRC Ken

Let me guess. You caught him at 4:55pm on a Friday afternoon.

No, actually talked to him 11 minutes ago..

[X-SPAN]

I imported an '07 Coupe from Indiana in March,2007.
Here is a list of the GM parts required for bumper compliance:
1 - 15270005 - Absorber
1 - 10447826 - Absorber
4 - 11609733 - Bolt
1 - 15889927 - Extension
1 - 15889928 - Extension
2 - 15255302 - Reinforcement
Total cost( including labour to install): $1305.35
Parts were ordered through ( and work performed by) Wheaton Pontiac, Nanaimo, as they are a licensed Federal & Provincial Inspection facility. The drawing showing required parts & part
numbers was faxed to me by Vintage Vehicle Services (George Zapora 1-888-467-6853) plus they sent a letter to RIV verifying no recalls on my vehicle. I was charged $25.00 not $250.00 for their sevices.
Hope this helps you.
-Dennis A.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by X-SPAN

I imported an '07 Coupe from Indiana in March,2007.
Here is a list of the GM parts required for bumper compliance:
1 - 15270005 - Absorber
1 - 10447826 - Absorber
4 - 11609733 - Bolt
1 - 15889927 - Extension
1 - 15889928 - Extension
2 - 15255302 - Reinforcement
Total cost( including labour to install): $1305.35
Parts were ordered through ( and work performed by) Wheaton Pontiac, Nanaimo, as they are a licensed Federal & Provincial Inspection facility. The drawing showing required parts & part
numbers was faxed to me by Vintage Vehicle Services (George Zapora 1-888-467-6853) plus they sent a letter to RIV verifying no recalls on my vehicle. I was charged $25.00 not $250.00 for their sevices.
Hope this helps you.
-Dennis A.

That $25.00 price tag went up to $250 in Oct. I brought up my wifes 07 SRX in around Oct and they wanted $25. I brought up my 07 Escalade two weeks later and they told me the price went up to $250 I politely told them to shove it and I did it for free with the method I have talked about previously.

Also, I have a copy of that letter form Vintage services that shows what parts you need if the OP would like it e-mailed to him.

[pgj98m3]

I just brought in a 99 FRC...RIV accepted a printout from the local GM dealership that was given to me for free !!! Canadian Tire made me buy stickers for $15... the guy pointed out that they didn't stick well and often fell off ...I know,I know the e/m button switches to metric and I didn't need the stickers but I had been fooling around with the display and must have left it on MPH. I was so eager to get out and put a licence plate on the car that I just saw it as one more expense.

I had considered a BMW to import....I'm very happy with my choice

[mike_1103]

I should have read the RIV list more closely...

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...S___SATURN.htm

...it says: General Motors requires that for recall clearance documentation requests, the importers must contact GM Vehicle Vintage Services group at 1-888-467-6853 from inside Canada and 1-905-440-7689 from outside Canada.

The list is dated May 1st, 2008. I guess that, from now on, we will have to shell out the $250.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by mike_1103

I should have read the RIV list more closely...

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...S___SATURN.htm

...it says: General Motors requires that for recall clearance documentation requests, the importers must contact GM Vehicle Vintage Services group at 1-888-467-6853 from inside Canada and 1-905-440-7689 from outside Canada.

The list is dated May 1st, 2008. I guess that, from now on, we will have to shell out the $250.

Hello!! Have you not been reading the posts!! You don't have to use Vintage Services!

[Racer]

Also from the RIV site

In some cases, we will also accept a printout from an authorized American dealer. If you obtain a printout from an American dealer, you must ensure that they are an authorized dealer and not a re-seller. You can confirm this by calling the head office of the manufacturer and providing them with the location of the dealership in question.

[mike_1103]

Originally Posted by Racer44

Hello!! Have you not been reading the posts!! You don't have to use Vintage Services!

Tony,

I know your experience says that we can use GMVIS, and I honestly and truly believe it is true.

However, according to what's written on their site, we MUST bend over and use Vintage Services.

That tells me that, depending on whom you deal with at the RIV, you might get away with a printout or, as others here have mentioned, you might have to use Vintage Services.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by mike_1103

Tony,

I know your experience says that we can use GMVIS, and I honestly and truly believe it is true.

However, according to what's written on their site, we MUST bend over and use Vintage Services.

That tells me that, depending on whom you deal with at the RIV, you might get away with a printout or, as others here have mentioned, you might have to use Vintage Services.

Well, if you are going to use Vintage Services I would recommend, trying the printout first, then if they e-mail you saying they don't like it, phone Vintage Services , pay the money and do it. It will only delay your getting form 2 by a couple of hours or at the most the next day. Why pay if you don't have to.