Buying & Importing a Dyane from France

[andrewp]

I'm on the look out for a decent Citroen Dyane and compared with the 1 or 2 that are on our eBay I keep finding ones I really like being offered for sale in France.

I just wondered if anyone has any experience of buying from France or know of anyone out there who would act as a buying agent and help with viewings, paperwork, transport etc.

Any tips, advice or contacts will be gratefully received. Andrew

 

[Mr Lobster]

I'm thinking that Nigel Bickle will be the man to speak to on this matter.However, it should be straightforward enough. Buy in France, insure it on a UK classic car policy (they can do it off the chassis number until its UK reg'd I think). Drive home. Once its here then get it MOT'd and then off to DVLA to get UK registration. I *think* its reasonably straightforward - I am quite tempted to do something similar at some point myself as there is obviously a lot more old, interesting Euro tin kicking about over there. Personally, I'd be tempted to fly out somewhere and spend a good few days finding one before committing to buy it though.However you do it though, please keep us updated and Good Luck!

[theorganist]

Hi,I am hoping to do the same and bring a Renault 14 back.However I have so far messaged the owners of four that I have seen for sale and had no replies yet.Best of luck with it.Pete.

[Mr Lobster]

However I have so far messaged the owners of four that I have seen for sale and had no replies yet.

I think thats the hardest part tbh. If you find one, particularly on leboncoin or ebay.fr then the difficult but would be persuading the seller that you were genuine and it would be better for them to sell to you rather than to someone in France. A reasonable command of French might help then you can ring them perhaps? Otherwise try the classified section of Gazoline magazine or maybe go out to one of the car shows such as Reims to see whats about maybe?

[dollywobbler]

Good call sir. Joining www.2cvgb.co.uk might be a good idea too.

[FredTransit]

Paging VW Powered!

[dollywobbler]

One useful bit of info - in France, pop-rivetting a sheet of metal over rusty floors is a CT pass. Unlikely to be received so well by an English MoT. The best Dyanes are now pushing 4000-5000 Euros and beyond, but there's still plenty of cheap ones about.The 2CV French National is happening at the end of this week near Alencon. That could be a very good place to buy one.

[theorganist]

I think thats the hardest part tbh. If you find one, particularly on leboncoin or ebay.fr then the difficult but would be persuading the seller that you were genuine and it would be better for them to sell to you rather than to someone in France. A reasonable command of French might help then you can ring them perhaps? Otherwise try the classified section of Gazoline magazine or maybe go out to one of the car shows such as Reims to see whats about maybe?

Hi thanks a lot for that advice. Unfortunately I know very little French, I have been quite detailed in the messages I have sent (they probably think I am some weird English crank!!).I did now know about Gazonline, so will try that approach. Have thought about driving out there in whit week.Pete.PS sorry for the thread hijack!

[Mr Lobster]

I did now know about Gazonline, so will try that approach. Have thought about driving out there in whit week.

Here > http://gazoline.net/annonces/paweb.phpActually, a day trip to France would be a useful thing to do. Get to a newsagents and buy a load of classic car mags - they have a very good range. Would be a useful bit of research then you can find any specialists and go back later armed with a pocket full of euros!

[andrewp]

Thanks for the replies so far, I've also just paid up for membership of 2cvgb and plan to go to their events in the south this summer in the hope of making some useful contacts. Not having a trailer or car suitable for towing one is one of my major frustrations.

 

P.S. No problem re the hijack : it's all useful info!

 

http://www.super2cv.com/tag/citroen-dyane-hoodride/

[dollywobbler]

Top tip. Head to the Ace Cafe on May 29. It's the 2CV London to Brighton run. Cars are setting off from about 10am I think, heading to Hove Park, another good place for a natter.

[andrewp]

Yep, the London to Brighton has been in my diary for months, I'm planning on seeing them on Madeira drive - as well as getting to the Brooklands Mopar meet that morning....and all while working 12 hour nightshifts in central London, I'm going to feel rough!

[Polystratus]

The 2CV French National is happening at the end of this week near Alencon. That could be a very good place to buy one.

I see the English National is at Winchester, August if I have my Roman numbers correct - tappet cover racing and chariot racing !

[barrett]

Top tip. Head to the Ace Cafe on May 29. It's the 2CV London to Brighton run. Cars are setting off from about 10am I think, heading to Hove Park, another good place for a natter.

are you doing this one Ian? I might pop down at some point, i'm going on a tour of the victorian sewers in the morning....!

[dollywobbler]

L to B clashes with La Vie en Bleu at Prescott, so I'm not sure which one to do. I've missed the past 3 La Vie en Bleus.

 

Don't go to Madeira Drive though!! Us 2CVers are cheapskates so we head to the rather less busy Hove Park instead.

 

EDIT - British meeting details in August >>> http://www.2cvgb.co.uk/national10/index.html

[andrewp]

Don't go to Madeira Drive though!! Us 2CVers are cheapskates so we head to the rather less busy Hove Park instead.

Thanks!

[dollywobbler]

More info on this page. http://www.southdownsescargots.co.uk/

 

There's a bit of me thinking of heading to the camp in Sussex even if I don't do the actual run. There's always a great atmosphere.

[nigel bickle]

I ship (rhd) unusual 2cvs out to France-I've a good friend close to Alencon. Hehasawarehouse(so damn cheap!) & rebuilds them for the French market- they seem to love rhd ones!Just shipped one Bijou,shortly to move t'other.I'm sure he's be happy to help find whatever you need. His Englishis pretty good-better than my Franglais! He's also useful for unrelated purchases -persuading French sellers that you are indeed serious. Worked recently for me with an early Strada purchase.PM me if you want his details - although he's a bit busy for the next 2 weeks, organising a very large ensemble for the bash out there.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

If anyone wants a few standard 'old car buyer' questions translated into french, PM them to me! Also I can/will decipher any replies you get from french ata sellers if thats any help.Buying old tat in France is a total joy that all shiters should experience.

[Electric Leyland]

It's one of my dreams, to buy a piece of French chod and drive it back home. Hope to do it this year.

[Mr Lobster]

Once I get the (hopefully) house move out of the way, I'm after another car. Buying something from France seriously appeals. Thinking along the lines of old / odd Citroen / Simca / SEAT or somesuch.Anybody for a mass 'Autoshiters buying cars in France' type challenge later in the year

[andrewp]

Thanks again for the offers of help, a PM will be on its way to you soon Nigel.

 

[Lankytim]

This is something I've thought about doing for ages (well, since I got onto Autoshite). I cant think of any downsides at all! Drive over and A frame some froggy chod home- Easy! Some stuff that has massive scene tax over here seems to be dirt cheap over on the continent so it could be an option to have a couple transported, sell the one here and use the dough to finance the other one. WinAr!The best thing is the whole excursion could be disguised as a "holiday" so even the other half has some fun too.

[pompei]

Are there any bureaucratic hurdles to leap when buying a car in France? I'm told that it's a major migraine to import an old car from Italy...

[nigel bickle]

I've driven a Fiat 1300 back from Milan, & a 1500 back from Rome without issues....

[MrSteve]

Getting the LNA back from France was a doddle- speaking french meant I could sort out cheap temp insurance in France as I couldn't get anyone here to insure me for the journey back. So long as you get the Carte Grise for the car, and one of the french receipt things you are ok if ever stopped (you won't be).Italy was a bit more of a bureaucratic faff for the Panda, but having a patient seller who spoke a bit of english didn't half help. So long as as the seller lets you keep the plates on it is straight-forward- the plates have to go back to the seller so they can get the car recorded as exported/destroyed or they will will keep paying whatever road taxes they pay for the car until they die...

[Richard]

I must admit that all those sub-€1000 French Mk1 Escorts that Mr Bo1 has posted on the eBay thread have made me wonder if there's money in bringing them over here. I know they tend to have too many doors and the steering wheel is on the wrong side but I reckon they could still sell at a profit.

[theorganist]

I have just had a reply from one the enquiries I made about a Renault 14.The guy speaks English and seems very happy to sell it too me.I am hopefully going on the 29th of May but have just realised that I have forgot to renew my passport, so I had better do it straight away! Peter.

[Mr Lobster]

Excellent! Keep us informed plz.

[theorganist]

Will do, I will take loads of photo's .Thanks,Pete.