importing a Dacia 1300 from Romania - using its own engine

[lovejoy]

Aha !  a man after my own heart !  sorry to be so late in replying - and welcome !

I have had - for my sins - 15, yes FIFTEEN  Renault 12 Estates  -  all started with a Zimbabwean one I bought

in South Africa, to venture in to the bush and sleep over weekends in -  everone kept trying to buy it off me !!

- reason stated was that during the 12 years sanctions against Rhodesia -  they were the most reliable cars there...

 

Only one has never run ( it's here on an island in bongo bongo land ...)  but all fourteen others never missed a beat,

and I used to nail em up and down to Cornwall frequently.

 

i guess you mean you want one of these -

that are almost identical - but not as well screwed together, as one of these -

(owe you another beer, nigel)

but as Dolly says, the doublecab pickup is the one i'd go for - given the chance 

 

I await the outcome with great anticipation,

your sincerely,

A R12 nutcase

[Station]

Was reading in Car magazine one of the writers did this (drove to see the eclipse) in a Dacia. But it was a brand new Dacia, and it was with his horrible kids. He typically complained about the cheapness, etc of a cheap car. And had the gall to say you could get a used VAG vehicle for less.

[lovejoy]

Hopefully, it will be in better condition that THIS one !     (number 15, the non running one... ) I could tell you the saga of this, but

a) you probably don't want to hear it, and 

b -  you won't believe it either...

[RedSparrow]

For the ultimate win get one of these:

 

I'd be bloody amazed if anyone in the UK has one.

[Six-cylinder]

For the ultimate win get one of these:

 

 

I'd be bloody amazed if anyone in the UK has one.

 

Sorry but I can't open the picture.

[lovejoy]

it's a Dacia RED CROSS vehicle, year 2000- January 1st, space efficient rectangular shape   ...   

[Sigmund Fraud]

Hopefully, it will be in better condition that THIS one !     (number 15, the non running one... ) I could tell you the saga of this, but

a) you probably don't want to hear it, and 

b -  you won't believe it either...

 

If there's one place on the internet where one can share a saga involving an old Renault estate, then this is it !!!

[RedSparrow]

Sorry but I can't open the picture.

 

Dacia 2000

 

[Six-cylinder]

Wow looks like a Renault 20 from the front? Anymore pictures? I don't think I have seen one of these before.

[Station]

I think the Renault/Dacia shape is quite nice looking. I'd probably kill myself half way through driving it pan-Romania-UK.

[RedSparrow]

Wow looks like a Renault 20 from the front? Anymore pictures? I don't think I have seen one of these before.

 

There's a few if you do a google search.

These were made for top party officials and the secret police.

[Six-cylinder]

Oh yes Renault 20 by another name, you learn something every day.

 

 

 

Maybe there should be an "Autoshite degree" and we should set up a University especially to study this important subject, “Odd cars of the worldâ€Â

 

[Micrashed]

Top plan without any flaws whatsoever

Carry on.

[Tayne]

I wonder if next time you go to Bucharest you could look for a couple of parts for me, at the moment I need a complete boot handle/lock with key? 

 

I can give you the locations of the two derelict Oltcits from my spotting thread if you fancy going out there and knocking and nearby doors.

 

 

 

When i was working in Romania in about 2004, once you got more than 5 miles outside of Bucharest there were folk along the side of the road every few yards fixing their dacias so they could travel another half-dozen kilometres.

 

I don't remember seeing any breakdowns when I was there a few months ago.

Perhaps there is a little more wealth and people can afford proper parts rather than chewing gum and string.

[Six-cylinder]

 

I can give you the locations of the two derelict Oltcits from my spotting thread if you fancy going out there and knocking and nearby doors.

 

 

What country have you seen derelict Oltcits in?

[RedSparrow]

[Tayne]

What country have you seen derelict Oltcits in?

Bucharest in Romania.

 

Have a look for the "some cars seen in some places" thread.

[londonm]

Don't bother taking a toolkit, you'll just need a horse and cart. Good luck.

[Six-cylinder]

Bucharest in Romania.

 

Have a look for the "some cars seen in some places" thread.

 

I don’t think that is going to work for me without the help of a local.

[Fatchance]

Sounds like a really exciting trip.....what could possibly go wrong?

 

The Renault 20/Dacia thing would have been an Important Person's car in Ceasescu's time. I'd think a few people who had been offered "lifts" in the back of those would never have been seen again........

[RichardMoss]

I'm sure that the OP is Sam Glover in disguise.

[KruJoe]

Where has he gone?

He's posted nowt since he started this..

[Wilko220]

Lost in Bucharest?

[Partridge]

1. Am i crazy?

Yes.

 

2. Would a well-fettled example with no serious issues be capable of making that distance? (i believe its possible)

Who knows?

 

3. Would anyone actually buy it off me, if i get to the UK......? 

Probably not.

 

 

In short, it's a no brainer. Do it!

[Guest dedders]

Im still here!

 

I have one of two Romanian built Oltcit 1100R in the UK and I am having trouble buying some parts. I wonder if next time you go to Bucharest you could look for a couple of parts for me, at the moment I need a complete boot handle/lock with key? I understand you could only bring back small aeroplane sized parts until you drive your own car back to the UK!

 

To what lengths have you gone to find the part already? Do you know if there are any shortages of these parts in Romania, or do you need help identifying suppliers?

At this point i dont really know of any shops, but i know a guy who his into his cars there so i can certainly ask him if he can locate what you need.

 

******************

 

Thanks everyone for your replies and encouragement and advice, much to dwell on here. I was hoping you would all give me a good kick up the bum to really consider doing this and im happy to say that you've done a fine job; thank you very much.

 

I'll see if I can locate a Liberta 1325, scouring the online ads in RO it seemed that there are still a few about although every example i've seen thus far has looked extremely ropey!

 

Im not overly fussed about making money, but at the same time, i might as well consider something that might be of interest to people here. I did see Sam Glover's thread where he said that someone should import a Liberta, maybe i should take that particular challenge up. The double-cab pickup would be awesome though!

 

Wouldnt consider undertaking this until Spring next year, but when i do, i will be sure to share the experience with you all.

 

Thanks again!

 

[Adrian_pt]

1. Do it!

 

2. No chance of finding a 2000. Probably under 50 made and pretty much all survivors are either in safe hands or the owners want squillions for them.

 

3. I do know of a super-rare and driving 1301 though .... for 400 quid. http://www.daciaclub.ro/-VAND-Dacia-Securista-1301-din-1976-t271508-s0-p3937506.html?do=findComment&comment=3937506 - a little rough around the edges but driving, MoTd and the owner is a good guy.

 

4. More recent commercial versions are very thick on the ground - double cabs are literally on every street corner. Get a Liberta before they all disappear!

 

5. @sixcylinder - what parts you after?

[dennisthemenace]

Yes, you're crazy. We are all crazy, this why are we here..

Driving a Dacia from Romania is a real adventure,but can be a nightmare too.. The Romanian and the Hungarian cops are not really nice people. They always looking for a reason to give penalties to drivers, especially the drivers of old vehicles. The Austrian police better, but the Romanina numberplate not too popular there.. So, I would rather buy an R12 somewher in France.

The Dacia was an acceptable car in the seventies, but the quality level was falling from the early 80-s. So, hard to find a proper one.. In the nineties they had a fuel voucher; every people were allowed to buy 20 liters of petrol/month. Therefore they add everything to hte petrol (gasoline, alcohol, etc) that also not too good for engines.. And, anyway, thir petrol was terrible poor quality.

If you do not overdrive it, keeping 60-70 miles, it will make the distance. From the Romanian-Hungarian border the whole journey is motorway. But you won't make it without rest, too long. And I'm not sue, you can sell it in the UK. Also, you have to pay fpr the motorways in Hungary, Austria, you need plenty of fuel, so, it can be a too expensive adventure.

[Six-cylinder]

Im still here!

 

 

To what lengths have you gone to find the part already? Do you know if there are any shortages of these parts in Romania, or do you need help identifying suppliers?

At this point i dont really know of any shops, but i know a guy who his into his cars there so i can certainly ask him if he can locate what you need.

 

 

 

The parts I currently need for my Oltcit are:

 

• The boot handle complete with lock and key
• A grill badge, as mind has been replaced with chevrons

 

I have searched by using the independent Visa Forum and Mike Harker from there has emails his French and Dutch club friends without success.

 

I have found a Romanian supplier that listed the boot handle and emailed using Google translator and an English version but never received a reply.

 

I have also registered on the Romanian Oltcit Forum and requested help. While somebody said they would help nothing has happened.

 

I believe there are parts to be had and it’s just a question of finding a person who is willing to help me find the parts and trust me that all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. I have no idea how the Romanians feel about the English and whether they are happy to deal with us.

[Adrian_pt]

Romanians are hugely happy to deal with the English but their process is invariably slow and complicated - including for payment. I've messaged my contact in Bucharest (who has an eyewatering collection of shite ranging from a Volga to about seven Opel Rekords to a Sixties Toyota Corona) to see what he can do, as I'm off over there quite soon and though my programme's packed I can potentially bring something over.

[Six-cylinder]

Romanians are hugely happy to deal with the English but their process is invariably slow and complicated - including for payment. I've messaged my contact in Bucharest (who has an eyewatering collection of shite ranging from a Volga to about seven Opel Rekords to a Sixties Toyota Corona) to see what he can do, as I'm off over there quite soon and though my programme's packed I can potentially bring something over.

 

That would be great if you could get my parts for me. I can send you money by Paypall or electronic bank transfer just pm me.

 

Yesterday I collected my Oltcit from the garage who have had it MOTed for me, it passed this year with just a blocked washer jet cleared – Great. There was a warning about a ball joint that is starting to wear for next year but that’s in the future.