After lots of headaches, here is what I discovered for my imported 2003 vette. I have a letter from a local GM dealer that states the 2003 does not require any front or rear bumper modifications. The part numbers are the same between the U.S and Canadian ones.
This was also confirmed by someone at RIV.

 

are bumper mods those crappy looking euro lights in the midsection of the rear bumper?

 

Are you sure about that? The RIV document says otherwise :
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/impusae.htm

I'm sure that someone in the Canadian regional forum can clarify.

 

Uh.....no


Rick

 

Read FRC Ken's attachment from Transport. Seems your 2003 Vette is admissable according to Section 3.

 

No. Those are to meet Euro standards. We need rear high intensity fog lights here. Luckily mine being a US import I had other choices

 

oh:o

 

with you. They look really bad

 

thomast, have you found out anything on the bumper issue. I am looking to buy a c5 in the US and bring it back to Canada. I have been ignoring the 2003's and 2004's because of the RIV document - didn’t want the headache.

 

I am also looking to bring back a C5 from the U.S. and there seems to be lots of conflicting information about the C5 and C6 bumper modifications. Any other members have knowledge in this area....my understanding that 02 and 03 virtually the same so it would seem to make sense that no modification is required ? Also daytime running lights - is this just a computer program change done by a dealer - child tether is a CDN tire purchased item and easy to install ? Anything else required ?

 

Here is what it says in the RI


CHEVROLET
2003 TO 2007 Corvette built before
September 1st, 2007** are admissible


Here is the link to a list of cars and this info is on page 11 http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...list/VAFUS.pdf

 

The car is admissible but the ** = over $1000 in modifications if I remember correctly.

Post this question in the Canadian Events forum. There are dozens of people who can help you there.

 

Here is the actual verbage from the letter I received from the dealer.
"There are no modifications required to the front and rear bumper absorbers for this vehicle because there is no difference in Canadian and USA absorber part numbers. Only the new C6 (2005 to 2008) have Canadian Bumper Requirements."
This is the 2nd GMC dealer that confirmed that there were no modifications needed. I called Canadian Tire and asked them what would be needed to confirm that no modifiactions were required. They said that a letter from a local dealer to confirm this would work.
I am taking my car in this week to get the inspection. I guess I'll find out quick enough if my letter works.
My RIV inspection forms also states that a child tether is not required as it is a convertable. It also says daytime running lights are needed, which it already has. Also it says that "this vehicle may require modifications to the existing bumper system"
It seems that the governing agencies are unclear about the requirements. That was my frustration. All the fuss to get a clear answer.
If anyone needs any more info on the whole process, send me an note. I'm no expert, but I did research the whole importing thing to death before I bought my Corvette.