[Dr Terry]

I just dug out that parts catalogue & on re-reading it, they don't actually say that the whole engine is imported.

It reads "There are 4000 XY/ZD vehicles fitted with 250 CID 1V engines, which contain unique imported parts.

later it says: Each engine serial number is prefixed by the letter U
Each engine has a manilla tag stamped US 250
The rocker cover is Brambles Red with a Corio Blue stripe 4' x 1-1/2" on top rear end.

All parts unique to these engines have been coded # in the remarks column.

So reading between the lines it would suggest a shortage of supply of some critical internal engine parts, which they had to hurriedly freight in from the US.

Dr Terry