From Cal to UK

[MBlake]

A while ago, someone asked if it was difficult to bring a US car over to the UK.

I said I would relay my experience, but forgot until now!!

I did not arrange the shipping, or pay the import duty, but I did have to register it as a UK car.

The duty you pay may depend on your circumstances, so I will leave that issue, though the font of knowledge on this is http://www.hmce.gov.uk/

To register a vehicle, there are different rules depending on the age of the vehicle. Assuming it is older than 10 years old, you will need the following-

Completed application form V55/5.

A £25 registration fee (if applicable).

A current British certificate of insurance.

Foreign registration document and any other papers you have relating to the vehicle.

Evidence showing age of vehicle. This will ensure you get an age related registration number - the current registration document should be sufficient.

The appropriate Customs and Excise form showing that duty has been paid

A current British MOT test certificate

Further details at
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/exptimpt.htm#

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If you can prove the vehicle was manufactured
before Jan 1st 1973, the car will not require an annual road tax license (£160).

The MOT test is the equivilent of the roadworthiness test (it stands for Ministy of Transport in case you were wondering). The following has some good info on what is included

http://www.motuk.co.uk/

The emissions checks are less stringent than the US. The main things that will need to get converted are the aim of lights and indicators.

The easiest thing for the lights are to swap to H4 units that point the right way. These have the side-light so the unit in the turn is redundant.

For the rear turn signals, these have to be orange on post 1965 (approx) cars. So either new lens are required, or a 'botch' that I have done, but am not happy with! As reverse lights are not compulsory, I have orange bulbs in the reverse holes, and have altered the wires around - it is legal but is a make do until I get some cheap orange tail lenses.

Apart from that, you will just need to get used to sitting on a different side of the car to everyone else.

For me, I also needed to get used to LHD - at first kept hitting my arm on the armrest everytime I tried to change 'gear' - not a problem now though!

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Marcus

'73 S Targa

[howie944]

Marcus,

When passing "lorries" or carrot trucks a passenger is a mandatory option on a LHD car! Spent 3/12 years at RAF lakenheath. A friend had a LHD Saab...many exciting passes on two lane roads!

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Howie
79SC

[Saffs]

howie944,
I drive a LHD 911 in the UK (RHD) all the time.
What you do is have a fast car in the first place. Then you hang way back from the vehicle you're overtaking, poke the car out a little to see what's coming, if something is there you pull back in, if not, put your foot down and go! A 911 is quick so no problem. I've driven a lot with a RHD minibus in mainland Europe, that's a pain overtaking as it's slow.
It's weird that RHD is seen as odd and unusual but quite a lot of the World is RHD.
I often wonder howcome the US ended up LHD when there's been (long time ago before cars, of course) a lot of English "input" (or interference!).
Anyone know?
Anthony


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'75 911S Targa
'81 BMW Alpina C1 2.3

[This message has been edited by Saffs (edited 06-14-2001).]