If you’re a car enthusiast in the United States with a passion for European cars, you will no doubt be familiar with the 25-year import rule. Every year, new models join the ranks of vehicles eligible to be imported to the United States.

Today, we are looking at some of the lesser-known gems in the European automotive landscape. From vintage models to hot hatches to pocket-sized runabouts, there are countless cars out there that may not be your first, or even your second, choice. Let’s take a look at some of the more obscure vehicles you can now bring over to the US.

10

Peel P50

We start our list with the smallest production car of all time. This adorable, three-wheeled record holder is British. It came from Peel, a town on the Isle of Man, from which the model derives its name. It debuted in 1962, and the marketing claimed it was big enough for one adult and a shopping bag.

The Peel P50’s engine came from the German company DKW, which built cars and motorcycles. In 2011, Peel fan Gary Hillman revived the brand, with a modern version getting a small production run of 50 units in 2012. The new P50 was available in both combustion (with a 49cc engine) and all-electric versions.

9

Morgan Plus 8

(specs refer to 1968 model year)

We’re not talking about the most recent, BMW-powered variant of the Plus 8, which is not yet eligible for import as it was available between 2012 and 2018. We’re referring to the original version, available between 1968 and 2004, with a Rover V8 engine. All but the most recent examples of this model can now come into the US.

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The original Morgan Plus 8 is now eligible for import. Let’s explore its history and design.

The Plus 8 is an example of classic Morgan design, featuring retro-inspired elements that evoke the 1940s, such as a U-shaped grille and round headlights. Three different Rover engines have been available under the Plus 8’s hood over the decades: a carbureted 3.5-liter, a 3.9-liter in 1990, and a 4.6-liter unit in 1996.

8

Renault Clio Williams

The Clio 172 may have been the first version of the model to carry the RS badge. Still, the first-generation Clio had a high-performance variant all its own: the Clio Williams, which took its name from the Formula 1 team and used Renault engines at the time. Despite its Formula 1-inspired name, the model had no direct connection to the sport, as the Williams team was not involved in the car’s development.

The Clio Williams had a 2.0-liter, 16-valve inline-four engine, producing 145 hp. Its reworked suspension and handling gave it a performance boost over the standard version of the model. The Williams hit 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds, and could reach a top speed of 134 mph.

7

Fiat Coupe

The Fiat Coupe debuted in 1993 at the Bologna Motor Show, and remained in production until 2000. The company killed it due to low sales. However, the entire production run is now possible to bring into the US due to the country’s importation rules.

The Coupe initially featured a 2.0-liter 16-valve engine; both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions were available. In 1996, three more engines joined the lineup, including a 1.8-liter and a 2.0-liter 20-valve unit. The automaker offered both of them in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.

In 1996, a minor facelift was introduced, featuring a revised center console, leather-covered door panels, and a redesigned grille.

6

Alfa Romeo GTV

Here’s yet more Italian quirkiness. The Alfa Romeo GTV debuted at the 1994 Paris Motor Show, along with its droptop sibling, the Spider. The hardtop remained in production for just under a decade. The model underwent several updates during this time, both on the mechanical and cosmetic fronts.

The GTV was available with an impressive lineup of engines, which included both inline-four and V6 units. Buyers had options ranging from 142 hp to 237 hp, depending on their choice of powertrain.

5

TVR Cerbera

This obscure British gem was in production from 1996 to 2006, meaning there are currently five model years’ worth of cars eligible for import. Power came from the Speed Eight V8 engine, which was available in three different variants, including 4.2-, 4.5-, and 4.7-liter versions.

This engine, however, was notoriously unreliable, so any prospective buyers should go into their purchase prepared to spend hours in their garage. If that sounds like your idea of fun, you might even decide to go for a double TVR garage, as there is another model from the brand currently eligible for import: the Tuscan Speed Six.

4

Renault Clio RS 172

The Clio 172 was the first member of the high-performance Clio RenaultSport (RS) family, arriving in tandem with the standard Clio’s second generation in 1998. The 172’s name comes from its power output of 172 PS, or 170 hp, produced by a 2.0-liter 16-valve inline-four engine. A five-speed manual gearbox completed the powertrain.

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The Clio 172 also featured several unique design elements, such as side skirts, 15-inch alloy wheels, and new bumpers. Inside the car, the seats were adorned with RenaultSport logos and upholstered in leather and Alcantara. Side airbags were present, unlike in the standard version of the Clio.

3

Volkswagen Bora VR5

The Volkswagen Bora was the equivalent of the Jetta in the United States. However, the country never received the VR5 trim. It used a 2.3-liter, narrow-angle five-cylinder engine. It was part of the VR-powerplant family that also included the VR6. The resulting powertrain was a compromise between an inline and V-arranged engine, with two rows of cylinders in a staggered pattern with a single valve cover between them. The result was a more compact engine.

2

Opel Speedster

This curious little sports car is known to UK-based car enthusiasts as the Vauxhall VX220 and to everyone else in Europe as the Opel Speedster. It arrived in 2000 and had joint development with the second generation of the Lotus Elise. They did not share the same powertrain, though. The Speedster used a 2.2 Ecotec engine, borrowed from the Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

The Opel never found the same levels of success as the Elise. Then, GM discontinued the Speedster after just five model years, with a total of 7,207 units produced.

1

Noble M12

Lastly, we have another obscure British sports car. The Noble M12 went into production in 2000. The timing means that only the very earliest examples of this model are now eligible for import.

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Despite being a UK-built model, the Noble had an American element in the form of its engine, a Ford Duratec V6. Some high-performance variants of the model, such as the M12 GTO-3R and the M400 (of which an American version, the Rossion Q1, also exists), were legally imported to the States at the time. The standard M12, however, was not. The limited availability made it a rarity on the American car landscape, should you decide to add one to your garage.

Sources: Morgan, Opel, Renault, TVR, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Volkswagen, Noble, Peel