Importing from Europe

[Rockman]

I'm a new member really enjoy all the good information and advice you members throw out there.

I've been reading many treads on importing cars from overseas. I am considering buying a car from Europe and hoping I can get some sound advice from those that have done it. Good or bad I would like to hear it all.

Also any international VIN# certification site I can use.

Thanks in advance for any info I receive.

P.S - Looking for a good Alfa mechanics in the Dallas Texas area.
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[dscottj]

Before 1964 it's a breeze, just bring it on over. From '65 to '74 it grows increasingly difficult, and then from '75 onward it's very difficult and expensive. There are exemptions, but they are mostly for older or expensive/rare cars. The feds take them V-E-R-Y seriously. There's lots of advice out there, sounds like you've found a bit already. Good luck!

[180OUT]

I imported my Super last summer. Old cars are exempt from most import restrictions. Customs rules state that any car that's over 25 years old can be imported without meeting DOT/EPA standards. The rules specifically state this and you can easily confirm it by calling your local Customs office. I talked to the Customs office several time to make sure I had everything they'd need. Once the officer confirmed that the car was over 25years old, processing took about 20 minutes start to finish. No problems at all.

I've imported several cars over the years and the process is not for the faint of heart. There's always an element of risk so, if you get nervous about buying a car you haven't seen, you should look for something stateside. There are highly reputable brokers in Europe who sell good cars that any enthusiast would want. This is how they earn a living and it really doesn't pay to have customers who are angry that their expensive car didn't measure up. There are also fly-by-night outright crooks and rank incompetents in the business too. It's hard to know the difference when you're in Texas and they're half a world away. I've gotten burned a couple of times and a couple of times the cars were actually better than I expected.

One good thing about the BB is that there is a great enthusiast community here so, if you find a car, there may well be a friendly Alfesti close by would go look at it for you. I was fortunate to find just the right car almost immediately; literally the second one I gave serious thought to. Fellow BB'er Roland/Giulia Blanca was kind enough to go look at it for me and then helped with the purchase and shipping to Texas. Roland is the patron saint of Giulia Supers.

Robert Rogers, Shade Tree Enginetrics, is just north of you in Nevada, Texas. He prepares/maintains several vintage Alfas and Fiats and is a supurb wrench turner. I'd have no reservations at all about having him work on my cars.

ShadeTreeEnginetrics Nevada Texas

[Rockman]

Thanks Jim for the Shade Tree referral!!

I’m really looking for a restored Super and the more I search Europe seems to be the best option. Not wanting to wait years to find, restore then enjoy the right Super. I know that sounds a little impatient as good things come to people that wait but I’ve been search long enough.

Would Roland be willing to help out another fellow Super lover? I’m willing to pay good money to have it inspected and looked over.

[101/105guy]

When shopping for an Alfa in Europe, you may find it better to look for an unrestored original car rather than a restored one.
All too common to find cars that look beautiful on the outside, but have been poorly repaired under the glossy new paint.
One example of an original car is my '70 Giulia 1600 S.
Original paint except for some small touch ups.
56,000 kms ( 33k miles )
Interior and rubber seals are original and as new.
Came from the original owner in Florence Italy and drives beautifully with only a new fuel pump, fuel lines, rubber brake hoses and booster.
Best of all, it was a fraction of the price to restore one and much nicer in all of the details.
Randy

[alfamox]

I think the problem for you US guys are the same as for us the opposite way. It can be very difficult to know exactly the conditions of the cars through pictures - I have been disappointed several times even with cars from very well known companies here in Europe. I think the problem is that we all hope to find a concourse winner for a dime. Good cars cost, remember that.

That said, I think you can hopefully depend on a little help from BB' fellows in the respective countries and cities. It must be quite easy for us living next to a seller to drive by and take a look at the car for you. I would love to have that done the other way when I find interesting cars in different countries.

Here is a good Super for sale for 18k € - they have another one for 10k €. I think the previous owner is a guy writing here on BB under the name "perholmen" you may ask him about the car. The car is now for sale in a well respected company here in Copenhagen Denmark called Stelvio. I know this is the second time I recommend them but I have no connection to them, I only know that they have the right passion for their business and love Alfa's. I think they rather easily could send a car to the States without any problems.

Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Super - 1972 - Stelvio
(picture from their website)



Lars

[perholmen]

my car on the thread - and yes, I have commissioned my car for sale through Stelvio who I have dealed with over the past decade or so.
I originally bought the car from them2 years ago after they had found it in isa Italy.
I have modified it slightly for fast road and track - Bilstein lowering, 7x15" GTA replicas, Pirelli P6000, adjustbale camber & 40% Torsen LSD from Alfaholics in original 1300 ratio - so it goes like a rocket and stick to the road like glue. 2 litre powerplant probably helps a little too
It's unrestored and has that really nice timewarp appearance - aboslutely rustfree, never welded and interior like a gem.

When I bought the car I contacted Automobilismo Storico Alfa Romeo, Centro Direzionale, Viale Alfa Romeo, 20020 Arese (MI) Italy and got following information abut the cars origin:

"According to our documentation files, the chassis number AR 2273934 originally corresponds to an Alfa Romeo Giulia Super 1.3 (115.09), manufactured on the 26th May 1972 and sold on the 30th May 1972 in Pisa, Italy.
The body colour is metallic medium grey, with Maremma wild boar tex interiors."

[goliardico]

I have no affiliation with these people nor have I ever used them, but I bookmarked their site when I was doing research on importing cars myself. It may be of use:

G&K Automotive Conversion - Customs Information

Afshin

[101/105guy]

I think that we are talking about cars that are old enough to not need a conversion.
25 years and older don't neen federalizing. Check with 180OUT about the rules to register one in Texas.
Mine came into California and needed nothing special to register other than a VIN # check as they were both pre 1974 models.
Randy

[Papa G]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101/105guy I think that we are talking about cars that are old enough to not need a conversion. 25 years and older don't neen federalizing. Check with 180OUT about the rules to register one in Texas. Mine came into California and needed nothing special to register other than a VIN # check as they were both pre 1974 models. Randy

[Rockman]

Thanks guys !