Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

I am considering buying a 1953 Daimler DB18 Barker bodied special sports DHC from Southern Ireland. The car has been off the road for many years but looks promising. I am hoping to trade either of my two vintage cars in an exchange deal but I fear there could be some red tape involved.

Interestingly, the Daimler retains it's original Greater London registration plates (RLR 73) which on investigation with the DVLA shows the car was last registered in 199O. I had assumed that if the car had never been registered in Ireland there would be no V.A.T. or other fees to pay but I need to be sure. Do I need to go through the NOVA process?

Would I be able to trailer one car to Ireland and return with another? or is there some paperwork or tax issue that I need to be aware of in respect of either sale or purchase?

Also, how can I be sure the car I am considering is not either stolen or in some way dodgy?

Any advise would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Rick]

If the Daimler's already UK registered (it appears to not have been taxed here since 1990), I don't see an issue with just trailering it back and sending off the logbook to be put into your name. Essentially it's been on an extended holiday over there. Has it been used or also registered in Ireland? that may add a little red tape if that's the case.

Equally, towing one of your existing cars over there shouldn't be an issue, the buyer of it would need to go through Ireland's own registration process (whatever that is) and presumably declare it with a NOVA (or their equivalent) on importation. You'd just flag with DVLA that the car's been exported by returning the V5C as far as I know, with the relevant box ticked. Keep copies of all paperwork.

The only risk I see is that you trailer your car over there, then either you or the other party decide that the car coming their way in the deal isn't for them. It would be annoying to have to tow it all that way home again! However if each side has eye-balled each other's car prior to transportation, then it should lessen that risk.

These are my first thoughts anyway, no doubt someone else will have actually done the process themselves.

RJ
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[Ray White]

Thank you for that, Rick. Yes, it would be a risky and expensive venture, that's for sure but the seller is a 'car' guy so I am keeping my fingers crossed that photos will be enough.
I am suspicious as to why a car would surface in Ireland after all these years and not have been registered with Irish plates. The owner says he last drove the car about 6 years ago for about 100 miles and then put it back in storage. Presumably, the drive would not have been legal but who knows?

I have asked the seller for more information re history etc. I need to be better informed before taking the plunge but knowing my luck someone else will get there first.

[Rick]

Chances are it'll all be pukka and above board I'd have thought, but yes it pays to be as sure as possible.

The UK reg., is it in the owner's name, or previous owner's name?

Is the DLOC aware of its existence? perhaps they can shed light on its history (although maybe you don't want to draw attention to its sale, in case someone else jumps in ....)

RJ
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[Ray White]

I would like to get some answers but time is ticking and the seller has yet to come back to me since sending me photos and saying a previously interested party had failed to proceed.

The cost of a car and trailer ferry crossing is an eye watering £500 so I want some kind of assurance before jumping in.
(metaphorically speaking, you understand!)

[Ashley]

They're in the EU, so no problem as long as you have log book/title.

[Rick]

[Ray White]

Still no email from the seller. I feel like I have been left hanging...

Judging from his email address, I think he is some sort of dealer who is trying to sell this car privately. The advert is listed as a private sale but the suggestion by the seller that a part exchange might be acceptable has also led me to suspect he is a dealer - although I believe he has owned it for years. It shares a barn with another Daimler, a sportsman saloon, in equally neglected but complete and unspoilt condition.

I would be happy to commit to the Daimler just from the photos but the seller has stated he will not accept a deposit from anyone until they have seen the car.

From my perspective I don't think I need to fly out there as it is not so much a case of my not wanting the Daimler, as the possibility of the seller changing his mind and not sticking to any agreement that we might have previously negotiated.
a) I don't want to return with my car on the trailer and
b) I don't want to do the journey and pay the ferry, trailer hire and petrol/insurance costs twice.

As I say; I am still waiting..............

[JohnDale]

The cost of a car and trailer ferry crossing is an eye watering £500 so I want some kind of assurance before jumping in.
(metaphorically speaking, you understand!) [/quote]

Hi Ray, is it not cheaper to ferry to Northern Ireland & drive to the South?
Lot easier for us from here but not sure where you would ferry from near you, cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

[Ray White]

Hello John. From Derby you would head to Holyhead. 3 hours. I don't know how long the crossing takes to Dublin. The car is in Co Limerick so the most obvious route would be from Dublin to Limerick - that takes 2hours then there is the treck from Limerick to Hospital village which I imagine is probably another hour. I don't fancy driving any further than I have to especially with a large car on a trailer.

I can imagine getting there and the seller changing his tune. I have recently learned that the car is fitted with just one carb - it should have two. The problem that these cars used to have was with the aluminium cylinder head which would corrode and need welding to restore the profile. What I don't know is if the car has at sometime been fitted with a standard cast iron DB head manifold and carb. Performance would be leisurely to say the least and where you would source the correct aluminium head and manifold I have no idea - only 500 special sports models were built. There is also a problem with the pre selector gearbox - but this is not a game changer.

(NOTE TO RICK I have sent a PM)