Easy:

I paid a dealer in Germany (Tristar-connection) in late June or ealy July last year. (about $10,500.) It was shipped in August. It arrived at the port at Pt. Hueneme in September. It was stuck there until late November because of Agricultural Inspection delays. They like to look at the cars to make sure no invasive plants or seeds are hitching a ride on the undercarraige. The whole underside was power washed in this process, so that was nice.

Then it was about a month wait until a car carrier that was going the right direction could be found. Othwise, a special trip would have cost too much. It went to Barry Taylor Enterprizes, in Richmond, CA, a registered importer (RI). There are very few RIs in California, so that was my only real choice.

Once there, they had to get to it after dealing with other cars they already had. In February, they got a smog check, even though it had the Swedish system, with no cat or correct oxy sensor, or anything. It came very close to passing, anyway.

To get it to pass, they had to replace the exhaust system, and install a cat, etc. It took a long time to get parts, for some reason.

Anyway, this last 2 or 3 months took longer than I can account for. I paid B. Taylor $5800 for all shipping costs, plus about $10,000 for all their mechanical and paper work. In all, the car cost me about $26,000. I suspect it's worth more than that now as a fully registered CA car.

Was it worth the wait and the money? You bet. I needed a 4WD pick-up because of my job (geologist) and lifestyle (lots of lumber, etc. for home projects on my mini-farm.) I did not want another crappy Dodge or something for $30K that would be worth $15K as soon as it left the lot. You only live once. I prefer to drive a car that pits a smile on my face. That's why I have the Tristar, the Westy, and a 1970 911E.

One piece of advice. If you are going to buy from someone in Euope, buy the best example you can find for the most money. I got a clean, no-rust car in very good condition, that needs nothing. And it cost me maybe $4000 more than a rust bucket with a tired engine. Which do you think will cost more in the long run?

Is it a flat four air cooled?

How hard was it to import? I see a few guys on THE Samba website who sell them from overseas or Canada, but was worried about them not being legal in Ca.

Must have replied at the same time, thanks for ther info.

26 grand????

I've been to that dealership in Östersund. They offered my friend $15,000 for his 1974 Audi -- if he would trade it in for a brand new Audi A8!

/ J

It's a flat-4 water cooled, high compression 112 HP.

26 Grand is right. I could sell it for more than that, though. It sounds like a lot to you in Europe, and I paid 9000 euros for it. But thay are very rare here, and worth a lot more.