Does Grey Market Apply to Longhoods?

[1979-930]

I've seen a couple 70 to 73 cars for sale lately that were imported in the 80's. I know the turbo cars take a hit on value.
Anything to look out for with the pre 74 cars that are imported?

[pu911]

None that I am aware of, think 73 911 RS. You want to be extra careful with rust as many of these cars were driven on salted roads.

Phil

[rdwinelover]

Derrick,

Can you explain how a Turbo can take a hit on value if they were gray marketed? Personally, I would far prefer a European car vs. a US car because of emissions and non US cars having more horsepower.

I own both US and Euro Turbo's and am simply not sure I understand why a Euro car would be valued less than a US car. Any thoughts are appreciated. Cheers.

[1979-930]

^^^ Not my question.
But from what I have read some of the work done to meet US regulations is sub-par and hurts value.


Sent from my iPhone while Driving

[rdwinelover]

Got it. I would agree with that statement unless of course there was no work done or else reversed back to Euro specs. Then I might argue that the Euro car would be in more demand than US.

All speculation though as each car is different. I have no horse in the race and am just curious.

Thanks and cheers.

[pu911]

In the days of doing grey market imports a lot of crap pile cars were imported in US and the conversion work which really did not amount to anymore that changing heads lights and putting something in doors for crash protection could be poorly done. The main difference is how folks in Europe used there cars vs how they were used in US. They tended to daily drive hard them year round, where many in US cars stayed in garages under a car cover. This is a over generalization but it does impact buyers thinking. The obvious exception is for cars that were never imported into us like RS, 3.0 Carrera, the later MFI carrera's etc.

Phil

[1979-930]

red wine lover,

I would rather have a ROW turbo as long as it’s modified correctly. I like the style options better and the fender lights are cool.
I don’t know if the longhood cars have any safety modifications I need to look at if one ever comes along I want.


Sent from my iPhone while Driving

[matt930s]

Deez...short answer is no.

[1979-930]

^^^ Thank You!

[BK911]

Originally Posted by 1979-930

I've seen a couple 70 to 73 cars for sale lately that were imported in the 80's. I know the turbo cars take a hit on value.
Anything to look out for with the pre 74 cars that are imported?

I had a euro 70S targa.
The only differences I could find were the turn signals and supplemental Heater. Read the windshield was different too but can't remember why.

[ficke]

Here is the long answer.
'Grey Market' description is used to describe to cars modified individually to meet US safety and pollution laws.
25 year old and older cars imported into the US are not grey market, So if today you bought a ROW 1988 Turbo in Germany and imported it to the US it would not be considered a 'Grey Market' car, because it is over 25 years old and does not need to be modified to bring into the states.
Also cars that did not have to be modified to be imported even at the time, like my 1968 911S, are not grey market.
You did not have to modify cars up to 73 to bring into the US. Like with side impact beams in the doors etc., because those laws did not go into effect until 1974.
70-73 Porsche 911's are not 'Grey Market' cars, and never were. Because they did not need to be modified even in the day to bring into the US by individuals.
Many people put a premium on non US pre 74 911's for their unique features here like, French required yellow head lights or German marker lights. The Euro 1968 911s that do not have smog pumps or side marker lights. These all ad to the value of the car.

[Matt Monson]

The dealer network had a lot to do with giving “grey market” a bad name. They often refused to work on them and painted them all as trashed beat up modified monsters. Like with any car you are considering it must be assessed for its condition today. Whether it has a US vin or a Row vin is irrelevant.

[1979-930]

Thank's ficke and Matt,

I was looking for sum edjumakatshuon on the subject. Now I know.
I can't stop drooling over a narrow body with all the brightwork. I think the Mustangs days are numbered.

[mobius911]

70-73 Porsche 911's are not 'Grey Market' cars, and never were. Because they did not need to be modified even in the day to bring into the US by individuals.

That's not true, at least as far as the used cars of those years that were imported in the 1980's as per the original post. A purchaser could get a one-time exemption from the EPA on emissions equipment, but there was a long NHTSA report that had to be completed showing compliance with all of the US safety standards for the specific model year. Example areas that required modification included:

-Seatbelt warning light/buzzer
-Headlights
-Side impact
-Signal indicators
-Markings on dash, markings for proper tire inflation, etc.
-Brake warning light

Plenty of other stuff I forgot; I'm going from memory having done it on a 73 I purchased in Germany in 1984. I still have the report somewhere.

In practice the quote above is correct- I filed the report and didn't keep any of the modifications in place. There were so many cars coming over at the time that the DOT simply couldn't keep up. As long as your report looked good they approved it without an inspection.