Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Colin916]

Hi. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has bought a car over the internet from an American dealer and had it shipped over. What was the experience like?
It's something that I might do. I've bought many a car and motorbike after only seeing pictures and reading the description, and never had a problem when I went to collect. We've all seen cars for sale by dealers in the UK who have shipped them over and just added their profit, which for me makes them usually unviable to restore.
Maybe buying one from an established dealer in the USA and DIYing it is the way to go.
Thoughts?

[peter scott]

I have no first hand experience but did hear on one occasion of a car arriving damaged because it wasn't securely tied down inside the container.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Ray White]

I would go to someone who is experienced at importing historic vehicles into the U.K. I am less confident that an American car dealer would be the best choice. I know there are some classic car dealers -Neil Tuckett with Ford Model Ts - springs to mind, who only import their stock.

I have no personal experience of the process but better to trust the professionals I would say.

[alastairq]

..................as above, plus, by using a UK dealer/specialist, one has a degree of 'come-back' should things not go to plan?

I brought my Dellow back from the USA..[where it had gone, back in the 1990's]........dealers were not involved, however...it was a 'private ' sale, [via the US Dellow Register]...but the importing was handled entirely by a UK shipping agent [Hills shipping, from Sheppey]....literally door-to-door, including paperwork, insurance, customs, etc.....costs offset by sharing a container.
It did take a while, due to circumstances beyond our control, but I was entirely satisfied.
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[V8 Nutter]

Use a reputable shipping company such as Golden Chariots, they can have the car inspected in America. Make sure you have a title (American Log Book) or if it's from a state that doesn't have titles make sure it is notarised. When you register in this country any problems contact Richard Miller of the American Auto Club U.K. He is one of very few people recognised by the D.V.L.A. There has been some flood damaged cars unscrupulous dealers have been trying to sell, mostly more modern stuff, but that is why you need to make sure all the paperwork is in order.

[Rick]

I bought three old utes from Australia years ago, fortunately I had a trusted contact over there who collected each of them for me, handled the $, then arranged brief storage until such time as he dropped them off with a shipper in Sydney, ready for the boat. It was pretty painless to be honest. The biggest hurdle really is paying someone you don't know for something you haven't actually seen. Friends of mine do it quite regularly, but it's quite a leap of faith and not one I've done (as yet).

RJ
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[badhuis]

I have some experience, 4 cars in the last 7 years or so (not all car were mine). Each time I have used an experienced shipper, three different ones. I went for cheap transport and it was, happy to do it again.

The main thing is to have the insurance covering all shipping: from the sellers address up to where you pick it up (or where they deliver it to you). It greatly helps if you can get detail pictures of the car before shipping it.
I have had small damages on one car, this was covered by insurance. On a second car I had a missing chrome rear window surround, a rare item. They paid me handsomely for this

Have to say all the cars never were flawless cars so I was not too afraid for an extra dent or two - providing it would be covered by the insurance. I would probably think twice for doing the same shipping for a mint car.
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment