Yep, Hi June 14, 2006, 02:24:44 PM Hey everyone, i'm Joe from the UK, but not from england :flip: from a country called wales its like a small py country stuch to the left of england. Anyways i've been a fan of T-Birds for a long time and when i pass me GCSE's (what you would call Graduation) i can get a car :D. This may sound weird but i was contemplating the idea of buying a t-bird (relativly cheap:D ) and exporting it to the UK, if need be come over to the states and locate on myself that way.I was looking for a car a few months back in the auto traders and came across the american section and there was a pretty nice black 83 t-bird in there, and i kinda wanted it and over the past 2 months its kinda the car i think i'd want to buy.Now when it comes to exporting cars my dad has always told me its too exspencive and not worth it and parts are too hard to get and all that stuff. But the truth is as soon as i can get a job i feel i can afford it, i dont have GF and i dont really have any hobbies yet and so the money i would make from my job would just go in my account, so i feel i could afford to buy the car and have it shipped. I am aslo aware to the rediculas fuel price's here in the UK (and now the US) and aslo the insurance and tax, so i should concider those costs but it should be affordable.The price of T-Birds i've seen range entirly on condition, millage ect. I'd be intrested in a 83 Turbo prefrably, are in the area of about $2k now here in the UK at the current exchage rate thats roughly £1,300.00 ( your average price for your first car here:D ) and i've even seen some in here for $600 about £350, to put that into perspective thast about the price of a brand new xbox 360 with a game.Anyways i was wondering if anyone from here was from the UK or had any expeirence in exporting cars to the UK and if so any pointers when doing this, and most of all is this even do-able?Thanks For your time Joe. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #1 – June 14, 2006, 04:03:59 PM Well hello there, and Welcome to the boardSounds like you have a plan Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #2 – June 14, 2006, 04:10:38 PM never exported a car, but it would be cheaper and easier to license if you could find one that is already there.the 83 turbos are the rare ones, but you have good taste in the 4 eyes they are my favorite too. How bout you buy a focus RS turbo awd or cosworth escort, and I'll buy a Turbo coupe and we trade!! hahaha j/kwelcome to the board, and good luck with getting the car you want, they are nice if you treat them right (pretty much just replacing the girlfriend!! haha) Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #3 – June 14, 2006, 05:05:54 PM Welcome!I know nothing about exporting/importing vehicles.You will need to check up on your local laws for motor vehicles to see what modifications you will need to make the car legal.I know many European countries require the amber marker lights on the front fenders among other things. I haven't a clue how it is in Wales though. Just something else to look into. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #4 – June 14, 2006, 05:16:19 PM Welcome to the boards, Mr. Welshman! (I cannot believe no one had taken the name T-Bird yet!)I remember way back in 2003 there was a Cat of the Month at CoolCats.net that belonged to a woman from the UK named Niki. Here is the link: http://www.coolcats.net/cotm/2003_02.htmlNot sure of any other information about her, or even if you could get in contact, but it seems that she purchased her cars from dealers in-country. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #5 – June 14, 2006, 07:08:03 PM welcome. if you are going to buy a bird for export, i'd come over here and hand pic one. buy a perfect example also. it's hard enough for us to find some parts here, much less across the ocean. good luck with it! Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #6 – June 14, 2006, 08:32:01 PM Welcome to the boards. I know we have a few European members here that might be able to shed some light on the importation thing for you, though I imagine the regulations are different for each country.About those regulations: You will want to thoroughly investigate this matter, to make sure that the modifications that will be required will be feasible. I know some European countries require amber rear turn signals, and all 83-88 T-Birds have red, so you might have to come up with something there. Also, some European countries have a surtax on vehicles over 3.0 litres in displacement - if this is the case for you, a Turbo Coupe is the way to go. Just don't expect spectacular fuel mileage - even though the engine is small the car isn't, and it requires a certain amount of fuel to move 3500+ pounds. Expect about 27-30MPG (that's US gallons, at 3.8 to the litre) highway, and much worse city.Although the 83-86 turbo models are some of the better looking ones, you might consider an 87-88 model - they are much more technologically advanced, and they are also more common, meaning many parts are more readily available. 83-86 turbo models are almost a rarity now.Some advantages of 87-88 models over 83-86 models include an intercooled turbo (190 horsepower in 5-speed trim, versus 155 horses for an 83-86), antilock brakes, electronic ride control, four wheel disc brakes with 11" front rotors (83-86 models have 10" rotors up front and drums in the rear), and an 8.8" rear end.Disadvantages of 87-88 models include unique body panels (only two years of production, compared to four for the 83-86) and more model-specific components - 83-85 models use many Mustang suspension components (this actually includes the 86 model - starting in 86 T-Birds had unique axles, K-members, engine mounts, etc)As for parts availability in Wales, thanks to eBay and messageboards like this one the world is a much smaller place. You can usually find parts and most people would be willing to ship overseas provided the part isn't large. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #7 – June 14, 2006, 08:37:16 PM Also, when looking for a car to export, I'd consider looking around in Canada as well, because first of all, that broadens your search and also, the Canadian versions will have the speedometer in KM/H not MPH, just another thing to consider. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #8 – June 14, 2006, 11:07:02 PM Hello! I actually have some insight on your situation, just a wee bit as mine is all regarding Australia. If the U.K is anything like Oz (Heh... the U.K. would be ten times worse) then you will have to have a perfect running example with (I'm guessing as Germany is this way) ZERO rust. Another thing, The cost for me to ship a car to Oz is $1800.00 ONE WAY. It also takes an entire month to get from daytona beach florida to queensland Oz. Factor another $400.00 USD for customs, other fee's and inspection costs. I know its easier to export a car out of the U.S than it is to import one. U.S safety laws are so strict that they pass (from what I've witnessed) every other contries safety tests. And a final thing. In the U.K. you drive on the wrong side of the road correct? You may not be able to import an 87 or 88 Thunderbird. At the bottom of the headlights on our cars (and a different version on your U.K. cars) there is a Dot Approval number. That number certifies it to be used on U.S. Highways, most other right side of the road countries will approve this number for there roads. See the problem here for you is the design of the headlights. Headlights on U.S. cars do not gleam strait ahead but slightly to the right. This is to not cause an oncoming driver to be blinded by our (as in U.S. drivers) lights. Now with you driving on the wrong side of the road, a car with U.S headlights would actually blind every oncoming car regardless if the bright lights are on. Now an 83-86 Bird having glass sealed beam lights would be a differen't story. I'm guessing and reasonably sure that your parts stores would have a replacement headlight in stock for the Tbird. Of course headlights purchased in the U.K would be DOT approved for use in the U.K. Hard part? Convince your countries border patrol (Customs?) that you will do this.... Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #9 – June 15, 2006, 07:29:53 AM Haha Thanks everyone for all your very usful insight, i was aware of the turning signal issue from being red to the orange-y amber colour over here in the UK. But as far as the posistion of the headlamps i was not:bs: lol. I've been doing some research and i have found a few import sites and there companies who will go and find you a car to your set requirements and export it for you and do any legal modifications to the vehicle all for a set price. (obviously it ranges from vehicle to vehicle). But i never concidered searching outside of the US, thats a usful tip, and also we british use MPH as you do:D but some of our cars also have the kmp reading in small print above the MPH readings so its all good, and if i had to i'd learn metric hehe;) .Also i dont want to be thrashing the car about yet;) becouse i wouldnt want to have a wreck and wright it off. But as Thunder Chicken said i would rather pay that bit extra for a better example then buy an old rust bucket and have it rust away:nono:. But i guess it would be intresting to fix one up if it was in need of some attention.As for the issue of an 83-4 model over an 88 say, i've always been fond of fords early 80's design techniques, as with the mustang of 83 and the t-bird the front ends looked similar and in my opinion cool:D .Well anways thanks everyone and i'll certianly look into this matter more and let you know :) Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #10 – June 15, 2006, 09:49:38 AM Welcome t-bird! Quote from: CougarSEI know its easier to export a car out of the U.S than it is to import one. U.S safety laws are so strict that they pass (from what I've witnessed) every other contries safety tests. Not true. Here in Canada, when you import a car from the US it has to conform to Canadian laws pretaining to bumpers, DRL (Daytime Running Lights), and child restraints...and maybe others. My advise would be to contact your local department of transportation and find out what cars are permitted into the country, any modifications you have to make to the car to make it street legal, and how much you would have to pay (fees and taxes). Then, contact a transport company and get an idea how much it will cost to ship the car from North America. Now that you know how much it'll cost to get the car, start looking for a car. I would be looking in the southern half of the country. No road salt, therefore the cars don't rust as fast. When I imported my 1987 TC last fall, it was on the list of vehicles that are allowed to be imported so I didn't have to do anything with the car. A mn12 (1989 and newer) T-bird however wasn't on the list so if someone wanted to import one they would have to upgrade the bumpers to Canadian standards, install DRLs and the child restraints. However there was an exception for vehicles older than 15 years. All I had to pay was $100CND because the car had A/C (working or not, it doesn't matter) and the local sales tax 7% GST (at customs) and 8% PST (at DOT) of the purchase price of the car in canadian dollars. Even if I bought the car locally I would've had to pay the tax. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #11 – June 15, 2006, 06:30:57 PM Quote from: thundergrowlWelcome t-bird! Not true. Here in Canada, when you import a car from the US it has to conform to Canadian laws pretaining to bumpers, DRL (Daytime Running Lights), and child restraints...and maybe others. When I imported my 1987 TC last fall, it was on the list of vehicles that are allowed to be imported so I didn't have to do anything with the car. A mn12 (1989 and newer) T-bird however wasn't on the list so if someone wanted to import one they would have to upgrade the bumpers to Canadian standards, install DRLs and the child restraints. However there was an exception for vehicles older than 15 years. Actually, certain vehicles are not allowed into Canada at all, and early MN12 cars are on that list. The seat belts in the US-spec MN12's do not meet Canadian standards (they had electric belts in the USA), and since it's illegal to modify seat belts it's impossible to make the cars legal. Starting in 94, when airbags became standard and the electric belts disappeared, the cars became legal again.For vehicles not on the banned list they do have to be modified to meet Canadian specs if it's possible to do so (in other words, if it's legal to do so). The mods, as you pointed out, include daytime running lights, bumper height and strength, emissions, etc. All recalls have to be addressed as well.The exception, again as you pointed out, are cars that are older than 15 years. Canada has a "rolling" exemption list, meaning that even if the cars do not meet Canadian standards they are allowed in after 15 years. It's called a "rolling" exemption because every year that passes makes another year exempt (right now vehicles manufactured before June 15th, 1991 are exempt, making 89-91 MN12's legal now, even though they weren't before. Tomorrow vehicles manfuactured before June 16th, 1991 will be legal, and so on). Because of this you see vehicles for sale here that you normally wouldn't (Mexican Beetles, puppiesanese Skylines, British Minis, Euro-spec BMW's and Benzes) - they all become legal after 15 years.I believe the USA has "Rigid" importation requirements: The vehicle has to meet whatever safety and emissions specs existed when the vehicle was manufactured, regardless of its age. Some exemptions are available, but it's decided upon case by case (the vehicle must be "collectible or significant") and sometimes the car can be imported but can't be made road legal (Lotus Esprit, Elise, etc) Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #12 – June 15, 2006, 10:01:55 PM Quote from: Thunder ChickenI believe the USA has "Rigid" importation requirements: The vehicle has to meet whatever safety and emissions specs existed when the vehicle was manufactured, regardless of its age. Some exemptions are available, but it's decided upon case by case (the vehicle must be "collectible or significant") and sometimes the car can be imported but can't be made road legal (Lotus Esprit, Elise, etc) You are correct sir. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #13 – June 15, 2006, 10:03:28 PM Welcome to our little corner of the universe. Quote Selected
Yep, Hi Reply #14 – June 16, 2006, 08:03:22 AM lol, thanks guys, hmm seems like i might be in luck, it depends, like someone posted on the previous page that women had a t-bird of an 86 shape, but of the t-birds the design q's of the 83-86 are my favourates and are what i am looking for. I am going to contact my local DMV and see what needs doing and what not, figers crossed i can get one over here:D . Quote Selected
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