at time there was a place in california that did imported cars that was not motorex , they inspected it, welded door, front and rear bumper beams in, ect
btw this was in 1995, shit is 100times more strict now.
ive herd there are ways in getting the cars from canada alot more easy ( but thats just hear say) your best bet is buying one that is already legal. but if you want you can talk to my father, he can tell you more info, he went through this shit 3 times....he knows what it takes, its not as easy as people think it is.