What cars to bring back from USA to make cash monies ?

[cort1977]

Inspired by Mr. NWeigh's post, what car (or probably truck) would make cash monies if sent over to Yurp?   Just don't say '69 Challenger Hemi' as the budget* doesn't stretch that far.

 

I don't know much about the Yank shite market in the UK, never used to be in to them, but a straight late-70s C10 or F100 truck would be worth something surely?

[eddyramrod]

[Pedant mode] I don't think they made Challengers until 1970... [/pedant mode]

 

Pickup should be quite a good bet, I would think.  Older ones seem to be going well at the moment, early 50s say.  Just be aware that there are already lots of people on this particular bandwagon, so flogging it once you've got it here might take some time.  I'd love it (almost whatever it is) but I haven't got any money.  You'll find an awful lot of the most appreciative audience are in the same boat, and anyone with money buys a new Merc.  Sadly.

[jakebullet]

Send over a container of LS v8's? Plentiful to you, rare to us.

[gordonbennet]

Mustangs seem to be holding their money, but quite rightly have to be V8's.

 

Having seriously considered selling the Merc around 2007 and buying a 2 year old Mustang we went and test drove one at an importer dealer, he seemed surprised when i shoved meself under the car first thing, but not as surprised as i was to find how rusty the live axle and suspension was on this car that had seen just one English winter.

 

So warm state cars only i would suggest.

[MarvinsMom]

mustangs of any vintage?

[mercrocker]

I presume there are no Dubwagensplitbayscene-off crashed bodyshells still shedding paint in the desert left now. However I perceive a market for US-based likenesses such as Dodge A-100, Econoline or Corvair-based buses, especially with period camper conversions on 60s vans. I'd like one anyway, then again it might just be me. You would think there would be a ready acceptance here for 1980s mid-size sedans which must now be getting offloaded to pay Sunset Home fees but it seems not to be the case. Values of these investments can go up as well as down, but now that I have mentioned them its unlikely....

[MarvinsMom]

whooooa! spooky!

[MarvinsMom]

any old english tat?

 

mg-a's and mg-b's, triumph tr's of any vintage,  or spridgets?

[Alexg]

Predictable maybe, but a Mustang I'd wager would be about as sort after as you can get. Especially with the extra hype now the new model is about to be officially imported to the UK.

[PhilA]

I sell you my Renault.

 

--Phil

[MarvinsMom]

how about fords crown vic?

 

everyone likes a police cruiser/new york taxi

[Taff]

two door, v8, dry state car or a car from a state that doesn't use salt (e.g. Montana).Matching numbers muscle cars are always good, tri-chevy will always sell (even a 4 door), 2 dr station wagons are popular at the moment, pre-70's pick ups but there are a lot here already. any 49-51 Mercury you can find will sell. Pick a running driving car with as few bits missing as possible. Sounds obvious but Halfords may not have a set of points for your 1954 Cadillac. Some parts are cheap as chips in the States but heavy and so expensive to ship. My water pump was $40 and $130odd to ship.

Make sure it's got a good, clean title, US Customs won't let it leave without one. Be aware of the cost of getting your new motor from the vendor to the port, that can be expensive. Shipping from the East Coast is much cheaper than the West Coast and a fortnight quicker.

 

If you are doing it for a profit, avoid the quirky stuff, some of them are rare for a reason.

[michael1703]

Austin Healeys

[Junkman]

I see a shitload of shonky septic chod sitting here going nowhere at all for years on end.

 

It just happens to be my opinion, that it is not so much what it is, that's important, but how good it is.

An unmolested, pristine, low mileage, mid Seventies grandpa spec land yacht in jump in and drive away condition will sell this week,

yet another clapped out Charger won't next year.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I seem to remember reading a couple years ago that Septics were coming over here to buy Muscle Cars and repatriate them , things like GT350s and Superbirds etc were bargains here even at £50/60k. Can't have been many here though.

I think Mk1 Capris would probably sell for more than Mustangs if rust free, are they cheap?

 

Edited to add,it appears rusty ones are cheap,these 3 are up for $3,500 buy them now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-Capri-2-DOOR-/231560331011?forcerrptr=true&hash=item35ea123f03&item=231560331011

[Ghosty]

Taxis?

[Inspector Morose]

Good call. I think the best, profit wise, would be euro stuff. MGs, triumph sports the odd jag, even VW might get a reasonable return. Yank stuff is all well and good but the market is limited to turn it around quickly at any profit. Would it sell eventually? Well yes but you've then got to factor in storing it over here.

 

Rust free euro shells would be my choice.

[Inspector Morose]

Also, thinking on it. How about a routemaster? They're going for about £35 grand over here at the moment, the only bus that's fetching any money. Lots went over the water for sightseeing duties so finding one shouldn't be too tricky. Don't know about the cost of getting it back though, that might kill that idea.

[Bear]

British classic stuff is your safest bet, followed by carefully found 1950s-stylish '60s.

 

Flip it the other way around and take LHD Euro stuff over. E21, E30, anything covered by the 25 year classic boundary really.

 

But say, my super-cool Fifth Avenue - $1000, but I reckon I could sell for $3000 easily by hitting a wider US audience than the Craiglist ad I found it on. And yet punted to the UK, with all the costs... I doubt it'd be worth more than £2,500. Barely worth the effort.

[AnthonyG]

A 1970s pick up would be a good call, if you could get one at the right price. I'd go for an intermediate 2dr coupe or hardtop of 1960s or 1970s vintage with a V8, something like a Cutlass, Duster, LeMans or Torino. Not so big hardly anyone over here can store or garage it, yet different and distinctive enough to be desirable to most Yank car fans. Obviously 64-73 Mustangs but are they still bargains in the States?

 

A mint 1977-90 Caprice, particularly the station wagon, is also a thought. A minty early Cadillac Seville (only the first gen one, 75-80) perhaps? Finally the last big Buick Station wagons (Roadmaster, 91-96ish) have their fans.

 

Steer clear of shonky rubbish, or weird things. There's a bloke on EBay trying to shift about 5 early Pintos for about £2-3 grand each, all look like he found them on a California junk yard and paid a maximum of $200 for each. His 'valuation' seems to be based on the fact they are made by Ford at the same time as the Escort and Capri. People can spot this sort of desperate crap straightaway, and they will sit in his garden until he radically lowers his price. Then they will probably be bought by a banger racer.

 

In terms of instant profit, I reckon a rust free bay window VW bus or 1960s Beetle is the safe choice.

[Clanger]

 

Flip it the other way around and take LHD Euro stuff over. E21, E30, anything covered by the 25 year classic boundary really.

There are actually three different "cut-offs" to be aware of... first is the EPA 21 year rule; this Federal rule covers engines over 21 years old and means they are Federally legal to import.  Next is the 25 year DOT rule that you are thinking of - another Federal rule that means vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from DOT requirements - otherwise everything from headlights, to glass, to seatbealts, etc. etc. has to have the DOT stamp of approval (pretty sure the EU has a similar rule).

 

Those first two are the easy ones and it's pretty straightforward to get a 25 year old car into the country - just two forms.  The kicker is the State laws that govern registration and getting your car legally on the road.  For example, in the People's Republik of Kalifornia your car must pass a smog check unless it's pre 1974.  1974 and onwards can cost a small fortune to make smog legal in Cali.  Wanna know how I know?

 

There's a late 60's F100 for sale around the corner from me at the moment, think he wants about $5k for it.  Wonder how that would go down in the UK?

[Clanger]

In terms of instant profit, I reckon a rust free bay window VW bus or 1960s Beetle is the safe choice.

Whadda ya reckon a pretty decent 62 Bug would go for?  Still 6 volt, 80% original, 99.9% stock.

[Split_Pin]

An unmolested, pristine, low mileage, mid Seventies grandpa spec land yacht in jump in and drive away condition will sell this week,

yet another clapped out Charger won't next year.

I would agree with this. Something overtly American that appeared as the chasing car, usually crashing, in most films/tv series of the 70s and early 80s era is very appealing to me.

[alf892]

I found the people shipping 40/50s pickups over wanted min 5k for a proper piece of shit........even engine and box missing sometimes and some incredibly optimistic descriptions.

 

Not sure if they sell or not but they do disappear from Ebay quite quickly.

 

I certainly didn't save anything but got a better motor. Despite what I have told my wife I know it could not be sold for a worthwhile profit just yet...........

[Formula Autos]

Rust free Volvos, for import to Scotland?

 

Seriously though, could you stretch to the purchase of a DeLorean? They still seem fairly plentiful in the US, and valuable over here. LHD isn't an issue either, seemingly.

[STUNO]

The word Volkswagen did occur to me before reading this. I suspect that the pineapple brigade would go very silly over anything with LHD and VW, especially Transporters.

[Taff]

There's a late 60's F100 for sale around the corner from me at the moment, think he wants about $5k for it.  Wonder how that would go down in the UK?

 

Realistically, £5k. Rule of thumb from experience is the that the difference in the exchange rate is about what it costs to get it on the road. They have their fans, though. Any pics?

 

I would agree with this. Something overtly American that appeared as the chasing car, usually crashing, in most films/tv series of the 70s and early 80s era is very appealing to me.

 

Someone earlier in the thread mentioned desirability. That type of car is desirable to you mate but could be sat for ages waiting for a buyer if you decide you don't want it.

 

I certainly didn't save anything but got a better motor. Despite what I have told my wife I know it could not be sold for a worthwhile profit just yet...........

 

 

same boat mate. well, apart from the wife.

 

I've shipped in half a dozen but always as personal imports, never for profit. I've never actually had enough spare cash to speculate in that manner unfortunately.

[Clanger]

Realistically, £5k. Rule of thumb from experience is the that the difference in the exchange rate is about what it costs to get it on the road. They have their fans, though. Any pics?

Makes for a real slim profit after shipping and all the other faffing around to be done. I'll take the dogs for a walk by it tomorrow and get a few piccys

[Taff]

Makes for a real slim profit after shipping and all the other faffing around to be done. I'll take the dogs for a walk by it tomorrow and get a few piccys

 

it does mate, unless it's something magnificent.

[cort1977]

Well thanks for all the advice and ideas.   Got to say that it sounds like too slim pickings to make it worthwhile for me especially as I would only have a limited time to get a car UK road worthy whilst over for my holidays.