Jimbo,
I had no problem importing mine from Australia. the only thing you want to remember is to have the car shipped WITHOUT the motor and trans in the car. If you do it has to meet DOT standards for the year of purchase. That means air bags and 5 mph bumpers etc. You can ship the motor/trans in the same container. It is then listed as "car parts" etc. If it comes in with the motor and trans in place you have two options, neither is pleaasant. One is you have it shipped out of the country remove the engine and trans and reimport it. The second is on the declarations page where you tell what the purpose of the import is. Diplomat, Armed servicees, temporary stay etc. The last choice on this page is the designation of "Race Car". You then have to assure "them" that it will be for exhibition, off road, or event. It can not be lisenced to be on the road without "their" permission. or consent. Other wise they can seize it and sell it at auction.
What you have to remember is, that one branch of the government doesn't communicate with the other. The guy I bought mine from had the motor trans in place but had not finished building the car. basicly a rolling chassie. I asked him to remove the engine and trans and have them in the same container. I also asked him to put a few race decals on the car, as I was going to paint the car anyway and if push came to shove and I had to, it would be covered. It took over a month to get it to the U S and in mid shipment he told me he had not removed the engine and trans. So I imported it as a race car. You don't want to know the rest of the story.
The purpose of this is for taxes. They have to have a way of assessing the imports so as to tax them accordingly. You just have to list the "parts" and have an assigned value for them. It doesn't have to be the actual value, but don't low ball it too bad or they might call you on it. Mine had a box of spare stuff he just wanted to clear out of his garage, so I had to make up a value for it. Most of the things I didn't know were in the box, so I said there were certain parts that I knew aboout and the rest were "associated parts". and said it was worth about $100. You then send them a check for what ever they decide the taxes are. You will probably rack up some storage fees and inspection fees that are additional. Any good importer should be able to help you out. I can dig up the papers if you need any further help.
Bill