A Leboncoin dream

[bramz7]

So, spurred on by the feeling/knowledge I need to do this now, I've decided 2018 will be the year I finally venture to the land of France and bring back a nice (cruddy) slice of camembert on wheels.

I had had grand plans of a Lancia Delta 2nd gen, Croma or Alfa 33 but it's pretty slim pickings on a meagre budget. Then I remembered that they love R21s out there, and they've been on top of my want list for some considerable time. Imagine swanning about in a 2.1 non turbo diesel one of those? It'd be dismal, but fun, right?!

 

I'm aware the subject of how to import from 'over there' pops up pretty frequently but I'd like this to document from beginning to end. I'd also quite like some help with it all as some of the more seasoned forum members have a touch more experience at this with me.

 

The aim is to find a decent (driveable and not sans CT) example of the above. Having seen how plentiful grim 21s are I'm more keen on them, although a nice 33 would sway me.

Budget is €800 tops really. It's going to cost a bit to get there too!

 

Oh yeah, I can't speak one word of French. Other than saying hello, happy birthday. Probably not too appropriate.

[barrett]

You will 100 per cent need a fluent French speaker to make arrangements. Nobody on LBC really does emails, French people don't do 'deposits' either so a Francophone friend is essential for making initial contact. Otherwise, just go and do it. My stupid trip to the south to pick up the Ami was one of the most fun old car collections I've ever done.

 

I wouldn't be bothering with something like an R21, when there are so many sexy cheap early R11s, BXs and the like knocking around, but to each his own

[Junkman]

In the end I bought mine in Germany.

You can't deal with the French, but it's as easy as stamping on kittens to deal with the Germans.

They also have these export plates that make the whole thing wonderfully legal.

[barrett]

They also have these export plates that make the whole thing wonderfully legal.

Life's too short to type it all out, but if we ever meet in the real world remind me to tell you my hilarious* story about how legal export plates are when you're arguing with a moody French policeman (but then, that just proves your other point I guess)

[RobT]

I've got the horn for a LHD phase 1 R25, or an early 5. My French is Ok so can try and help you bramz, but there's probably other lads on here more fluent the me.

[purplebargeken]

Sofa, pop corn and comfy slippers.

[Bucketeer]

If you need it, I'm sure I'll be able to give you a lift down there when the time comes.

[bramz7]

So here's something I found:

 

https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1419452583.htm/?ca=12_s

 

It looks absolutely awful. But low mileage if correct.

 

Yes an R11 or BX would be nicer, no doubt.

[D Spares & Tyres]

I have a set of Renault 11 wheeltrims if you want them.

 

or to the person you sell it to a fortnight after buying it.☺

 

Sounds like a fun trip

[Wingz123]

Does sound like an epic trip. Would love to do something like this!

[Kringle]

Yes. Do it. Do it now!

[bramz7]

https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1419758179.htm/?ca=12_s

One of those weird BX15s in low as you like spec. And Olympic blue.

 

https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1419552830.htm/?ca=12_s

4x4 AX!!

[garbaldy]

Junkmiester is right Germany is a doddle even if you don't speak the lingo they will still happily have a deal with you, five purchases and all sellers have been excellent even putting up with my crappy sign language which has had a group of grown men* laughing to the point of tears and none of us knew exactly why, I even got a hug from the rally driver with the excellent collection of cars when leaving and I can't even remember my own fither doing that, lovely country.

 

You wont regret it for sure even if it goes proper tits up it's still a great memory.

Does France not have any cheep car lots like we used to have over here ? That would surely be easier just turn up and drive away with some of the stock.

 

 

* That's debatable.

[egg]

I did find this guy, who on LBC says he has about 150 old cars in stock, and his website does have the type of cars a shiter might be interested in.

 

(its the usual though, no response to SMS, don't answer hidden numbers etc)

 

Near Poitiers, which is about 1.5 hours from Paris on TGV (you have to get across Paris from Gare de Nord to Montparnasse - which isn't too hard, done it a few times).

 

https://vintagemotors86.fr/

 

[capsuleboy]

Bought my base R4 and Estafette from lbc, but as said before, the comunication can be a game. I used goggle translate and it can work, having said that I would have half a dozen more if they answered bloody emails.

Both were trailered back, by my Avantime.

Autoshite in action!

Try Holland, the Dutch are very straight forward and honest to deal with, bought and drove 3 DS's back on export plates from there.

[Mrs6C]

I did find this guy, who on LBC says he has about 150 old cars in stock, and his website does have the type of cars a shiter might be interested in.

 

(its the usual though, no response to SMS, don't answer hidden numbers etc)

 

Near Poitiers, which is about 1.5 hours from Paris on TGV (you have to get across Paris from Gare de Nord to Montparnasse - which isn't too hard, done it a few times).

 

https://vintagemotors86.fr/

 

 

Looks just like the Field of Dreams!

[egg]

https://www.leboncoin.fr/boutique/18133/chelala_jean_marie.htm

 

I think Frogchod has mentioned this dealer before, which is near him.

 

The Dealer also says in his blurb, that he'll find a vehicle of your choice...

[egg]

One more, there is also this guy in the North (who is on Facebook)

 

20 min train ride from Lille.

 

https://www.facebook.com/jeanfrancoisjoseph/

 

(47 out of 52, 5 star reviews)

 

Sample pic

 

[pshome]

Marina is still waiting for your business.,,,

http://www.goldies-boutique.eu/

 

she looks a bit sick though...

 

[egg]

In the end I bought mine in Germany.

You can't deal with the French, but it's as easy as stamping on kittens to deal with the Germans.

They also have these export plates that make the whole thing wonderfully legal.

 

This does seem all too true. My Uncle is,

 

- half French

- has lived in France for 25 years

- has spoken French since birth, so has little or no discernible English accent

- actually has a French name with an accent on the e

 

But still thought it easier and worthwhile to export my Grandad's 20 year old 306 from the UK, rather than buy a local shiter.

[bramz7]

Maybe it would be easier if a few of us went over for a couple of days, had a search of the local area on Leboncoin and did it there and then.

It would also be more fun I suspect.

 

Who is game?

[Wingz123]

Can €500 buy you much? I.e would it buy an e34 bmw?

 

I would be interested also eurostar stops at Lille

[bramz7]

Lille is a good hub but the downside is the north perhaps isn't as fertile for older cars. Still about a dozen times better than the UK though.

[egg]

I believe The Moog is driving to Grenoble in May, might be worth seeing which way he is going....

[lesapandre]

Just a point to add - it may be better and cheaper to buy a 'sans CT' if you are going for export because it will be much cheaper to buy - you can then trailer it back though of course that will cost - as you are not putting it back on French roads. However will this louse up the registration process in the UK as to formally transfer the title of a car in France it needs CT? What do the DVLA expect in terms of paperwork? I speak rudimentary French and do own French registered cars. The way I got them was by going to the very back of country garage sales lots and looking around. Garages will very happily sell. Most had CT's including my DS which I bough that way. A Renault 11 should be very cheap. So a couple of weeks in a bit of rural France on your holidays could easily turn up something even with CT to drive home.

[panhard65]

I have had reasonable luck in France, but on something as unappealing as a Renault 21 they just won't believe you would travel all that way to buy it. The French don't like driving miles and miles to buy a car and are shocked if you turn up from the UK.The costs of bringing it back will be close to your budget. Bringing the Seat back from Spain cost about £750 once you take fuel, hotels, food and tolls into account. There are very few cars that you could buy in France and bring back over here without making a massive loss. Going for something a lot older and a project would be a better idea on your budget, if it is a pile of junk at least you stand a chance of getting some money back. I bought a Renault Express pick up from a farmer in Normandy. He was really nice and got his best china out and everything because he couldn't believe we would travel all that way for a rusty 20 year old pick up (it did even have a ct at the time)

[egg]

I think just looking for cars in the Nord-pas-de-calais can make that much more viable Panhard, for me it's a £20 train ride to Dover, £20 foot passenger on the ferry, and maybe £100 on the ferry back (if you just roll-up and pay).

 

Still, easy £300-£400 to get it back home and registered (and that does mean driving on French plates illegally). And they can get away with more structural rot and have a CT (so could be other bills to pay).

 

It's why I haven't actually got the LNA I keep banging on about - good ones are £1500, so I'm in for £2k for a car with no market in the UK - and which I would eventually roffle here for about £7-£8 a ticket (if it even sells out), and lose a fortune.

 

However, from just looking at cars online - there are some 50s and 60s cars that could see you ok, or even see you turn a profit - Panhards, Peugeots 204/304/403, Renault 6, Citroen Dyane (or an Ami 8 ), maybe some Simcas. Also 70s (and some 80s) Fords will always sell back in Blighty. Boring Mk2 Fiestas are cheap and plentiful.

 

Still an exciting idea, but not for the risk averse!

[Wingz123]

Can anyone translate this for me please? Does it have any issues?

 

https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1419857711.htm/?ca=12_s

 

Thank you

[egg]

Wow, that's a detailed ad by LBC standards! It hasn't run in a while, has some minor rust issues, main issue seems to be ignition related (with some help from Google translate)

 

I expect you realise it needs transporting (but I know you're in that business!)

[lesapandre]

I have had reasonable luck in France, but on something as unappealing as a Renault 21 they just won't believe you would travel all that way to buy it. The French don't like driving miles and miles to buy a car and are shocked if you turn up from the UK.The costs of bringing it back will be close to your budget. Bringing the Seat back from Spain cost about £750 once you take fuel, hotels, food and tolls into account. There are very few cars that you could buy in France and bring back over here without making a massive loss. Going for something a lot older and a project would be a better idea on your budget, if it is a pile of junk at least you stand a chance of getting some money back. I bought a Renault Express pick up from a farmer in Normandy. He was really nice and got his best china out and everything because he couldn't believe we would travel all that way for a rusty 20 year old pick up (it did even have a ct at the time)

Yes. My rudimentary knowledge of the French is that dealings are dealt with very properly so manners and appearance are everything. Bonjour right at the start and a good firm handshake and some basic small-talk count for everything. Turning up looking like a tinker with mates gets nil points and viewed as a 'marchand de tapis'. A lot of people, including me, live very remotely and don't welcome strangers - why because rural burglary is rife these days so proving you are 'tres propre' is vital. The advice about buying something off-beatly saleable is excellent. Older stuff is provided spare-wise pretty well. This J7 car transporter fills my off-beat niche and is currently for sale near the Pyrenees for example. Nothing like it for sale in UK. Price €450 to you Monsieur. Bummer to get it home but fun. The van versions are still cheap to in J7 and J9 guise. Just catching on in the UK with hipsters as they Citroen HY has got overvalued. Expect increasing numbers on Ebay here. This one was in London this morning.