Question on USA cars

Herc34es

Herc34es

Club Member
I found a couple interesting Zs on FB marketplace but they are in the USA. My first biggest question is about understanding how to get the title of the car to me.

Here I get the logbook (which doesn't count a proof, but I have the contract of purchase for my UK car). What do I need to get from the DMV? Can we do it online like here? Will the trader from the US have to send me the title by mail right?

Then, do you have a trusty shipping company? That can get the car from the dealer/trader and then ship it to the UK. I saw them online for example:
https://mycarimport.co.uk/. I was thinking that I might have to go to the US and do it =/.

I will check the documents needed for importing in the gov.uk site later tomorrow: (I just checked this thread for the extra info on importing :D :rolleyes: https://zclub.net/community/index.php?threads/registering-a-us-import-in-2020.26705/)
 
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SacCyclone

SacCyclone

Club Member
From the US, the vehicle title and bill of sale are collected by the shipper when the car is picked up. They will need that to get the car past US customs and out of the country.

Look at West Coast Shipping, they have done a lot of business with me out of the West Coast anyway.

Mike
 
Herc34es

Herc34es

Club Member
So if I understand correctly, I buy the car from the US, the seller transfers the name to a new title/has the bill of sale all done remotely. Then the shipper picks them up. Right? They can do it online cause there is a dealer for example who doesnt want to do business with me cause i am from the UK and not in Person :/
 
Bazzateer

Bazzateer

Club Member
From reading various threads on here I would start by having a long conversation with Mike (SacCyclone) about what I want and my budget. Mike has sourced and exported cars to the UK for club members and is a known and trustworthy partner for this.
I would rather pay him for his time and expertise than rely on remote viewing of a car and the honesty of an unknown seller/shipper.
 
V

vipergts

Well-Known Forum User
UK Shipper will take care of the whole thing door to door.
I’ve used Transmotion for years. Really good. Speak to Mustang Sally.
 
MCBladeRun

MCBladeRun

Club Member
I used Hill shipping for mine and they handled the whole transport as well as the import duty, nova registration etc.

SacCyclone is a good man to speak to, to source what you want and takes onboard your budget etc. He sourced my Datsun 240z.
 
Robbie J

Robbie J

Club Member
Don't trust facebook.... craigslist has more local searches and pick areas in California etc

I can't stress enough you need it inspected. The Americans in 80s thought filler (mud) is fine to repair sills....

BUT get Mike involved the extra few K you pay him will save you 10K down the line. If you don't we will roast you on here when you start asking for repair panels...
 
johnymd

johnymd

Club Member
The US seller cannot transfer title to you because you do not have a US address.

The US title and bill of sale are to get the car out of the US. To register the car once it arrives in the uk you need to have paid duty on it through the nova system. If you have the US title (which will be in the US owners name) you can send this with your v55 form as proof of age. If you don’t get a title you will need a dating letter to prove it’s age.
 
SacCyclone

SacCyclone

Club Member
Yes, what John says.
The title will be in the sellers name, and along with the bill of sale when you collect the car on your end.
So it looks like Hill and Transmotion are a couple of options for you.
Mike
 
Alphabettispaghetti

Alphabettispaghetti

Club Member
Key point is getting someone who knows what they’re doing to look at it. Robbiej initially went all guns blazing and it didn’t end well.

I bought from what should have been one of the safest uk specialists, they had to take thst car back off me.

do your homework. It’ll save you time and money in the future
 
johnymd

johnymd

Club Member
I went to see this car yesterday as it’s very local to me. The purpose was to advice the owners after their father passed away. They know very little about the cars so I spent some time assisting them so they didn’t get ripped off.

The car is IMO a good car to buy. I don’t consider it has any hidden horrors although it’s often hard to tell 100%. Looks generally solid with the usual dogleg starting to bubble through. Hatch slam panel is good but has had a repair to the LHS which was not done that well. Drivers rear arch has been replace and may need further attention. Doors have some rust at the bottoms and some bubbles but way better condition than most. Bonnet look solis with just a dent in the front that’s not major. Tailgate lower lip is good with minor surface rust. Engine bay rails in great condition and no signs of accident damage. Floor has the usual dented area’s but looks very solid suspension all rust free so this car has lived in very dry conditions for its life. Interior is all good and has the common dash cover fitted which was fitted well. Paint is poor and the car is covered in blisters so you won’t get away without a bare metal paint.

They have had an offer of £10k and are looking for offered above this. I still find it very hard to believe that a 280z in need of a full strip and rebuild is worth this but they do seam to be so I think this is very realistically priced. If we forget about the price and just look at whether this is a good base to start your project from then it certainly is. If I was looking at buying another project then I would buy this car. If you are considering it then get in quick as good cars don’t hang around for long.
 
uk66fastback

uk66fastback

Club Member
Good report John, will help prospective buyers no end - although you should always see the car in person obviously. What would they take for it do you think?
 
Herc34es

Herc34es

Club Member
I contacted them today, they say there is a large demand and they want 15K :) so they are willing to take their time.
 
uk66fastback

uk66fastback

Club Member
Someone might pay it but £15k for a 280z with those issues - paint, some rust etc - blimey. Sounds like that blue one (which looked to have better paint!). Johnny, do you agree with their valuation - did you give them that valuation maybe?!
 
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