[BUL2294]

There is a possibility that I might be transferred to London for a few months for work. So, that got me thinking that I want to see if it would make any sense to bring the Bullitt along. I highly doubt my company would pay to ship the Bullitt (and I wouldn't expect them to). However, has anyone (non-military as the US military moves cars all the time) ever looked into doing something like this?

What I was thinking of doing was driving it from Chicago to a port on the east coast (NYC, Boston, etc.) and boat freight/cargo shipping it to a port in England. Does anybody have any guesstimates as to how much it could cost for the actual shipping? AFAIK, there shouldn't be any customs charges since I estimate it would be for less than 6 months... AFAIK, I wouldn't have to get new UK registration either and could keep my IL plates (but might need a white "USA" oval sticker on the car). I know I'd have to get European car insurance, but that cost would be offset by the removal of my American car insurance...

I was also wondering if there would be any issues should I need warranty work (that couldn't wait until I returned)... Would the US warranty be honored at service departments in England (and possibly France)? Are there any issues with obtaining parts for US cars in Europe (just as there are issues obtaining some parts for European cars here)?

I know this is a mouthful--and I don't know if it's even going to happen. If it would cost too much to ship/import (for personal use) then I wouldn't do it. But, if the costs aren't too bad, it might be something to consider... A Mustang (a Bullitt nonetheless) in England with US plates--that would draw some attention!!! Roushraven--any ideas?

_________________
<font size=-1><font color=00FFFF>"Smoke Machine" <font size=-2>(X-Press 2)</font>
<font color=00D0FF>True-Blue Bullitt #2294
<font color=00A8FF>(Currently hibernating in Parma, OH)
<font color=0088FF>Chicago (Lincoln Park), IL

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: BUL2294 on 2002-03-07 00:29 ]</font>

 

[bakmptm]

Ok that is a lot to cover, but the cost would be about $900.00 to ship it to the UK from NY, and then percentage cost to insure the shipping. I can forward you a link to a shipper if you would like. You would have to get a tourist plate for it (see the American embassy in the UK), or pay the import taxes on it for the UK. I'm not sure what this is offhand, but I believe it is 30% of the cost of the car, but this is dependent on the vehicles age so being a 2001 estimated cost of 6k if you want to get UK plates. You must have a clear title. The warranty is void, (please send a quick mail to Ford to verify, but I believe it is voided, also getting parts would take some time. Insurance on a 4.6 ltr would probably be the same as what you would pay for a 4.6L European sports car.. Which is not inexpensive, or about the same as it is here (perhaps more). I have found that when driving in the UK right hand drive is much easier, but this can be overcome.

Remember in Europe this car is an oddity, yes, I know there are actually 2 in the UK.. See the European BBS on this site. By being an oddity this would mean that the police would like to stop you just so they can look at it - if they do, offer to allow them to take it for a spin, it will save you the cost of the ticket.

By the way, it would more than likely be stolen and shipped to Morocco 2 days after it arrives.

But, to drive up the M25 @ 100 mph would be worth every penny.

Hope this helps.


_________________
[BK]
DHG Bullitt #5360, Built 8-16-2001
2000 BMW 528
2000 Jeep TJ
(6.5 long arm lift, 4.88's, dual ARBs etc...)
1999 K1500 Suburban

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bakmptm on 2002-03-07 00:52 ]</font>

 

[mystang99]

talk to Arthur!!!(Roushraven)
he's shipped 2 cars to England that i know of!!!

 

[roushraven99]

Thanks Marty. I just read this and since I am well experienced I have some useful advice. I have shipped three cars over here all out of pocket through E.H. Harms in Dundalk Maryland. It will not cost you any more than $800.00 from Dundalk to Southampton and the transit time is approximately 12 days. As for servicing there is only one place that I could recommend, and they have serviced all of my cars, and in fact honor the Ford basic warranty. Send me a p/m if you want details of contacts and all the specifics about importing a vehicle here.

 

[Classic BULLITT]

Check this link as well for our european import advice page:
http://privat.schlund.de/f/fmcog/kaufber/import_e.htm
Wolfgang
First Mustang Club of Germany
(although Roushraven certainly has the more specific hints and costs for UK)
Saw only one new BULLITT over here so far.

 

[Bullitt4075]

If I remember right I paid 27% of the value of my car (85 Monte Carlo SS not stock & fresh paint) when I sold it in 1998 to a local. It was tax free (military) until sold and then I had to pay the import tax. Insurance can be high, but it helps to bring a letter of recommendation for your insurance agent, if you are a good driver. This sometimes can save you some cash. And don't forget how much you will pay for fuel, around $3.75 a gallon when I left a couple of years ago. Thank god I got gas on base 99% of the time. Have a great time and make time to see the sites in London and elsewhere. In fact the wife just got back from England last weekend. She was visiting freinds in the Cambridge area.

Jim



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bullitt4075 on 2002-03-07 21:00 ]</font>

 

[bakmptm]

Arthur,

Thought you only had 2. When did you ship the 3rd? ... and by the way, just what is it like on the M25 these days, when you are able to open it up? Some how I would really like to take the St. Albens exit and hit those round abouts into Hatfield Hertz with the Bullitt just once!!!

 

[roushraven99]

In total I have owned 5 cars since being here. The first was a Neon that the military shipped over. Sold it after I got here. Bought a Ferrari 308 from a local collector of Ferraris so that he could make room for a 360. Sold a few months ago. September '99 I imported a Chrome Yellow Roush Stage 2 coupe using E.H. harms (east coast). November 99 I totaled it coming off a roundabout onto a slippery Fen road. January '00 I imported my '99 Roush Stage 2 also using E.H. Harms (east coast). Shipping it back to the states in a container later this month to my new base. June '01 imported my Bullitt using E.H. Harms (west coast). Already on a boat heading back to the states. As for driving on the M25, it is usually not a pleasant experience at all due to the ever present road works and tailbacks. There are many other motorways and A-roads in my neck of the woods where I can either blast along at speed or give my arms a good workout driving through the curves. It's definitely going to be hard to adjust to an enforced highway speed limit of 70 mph in Texas when I'm used to averaging 100 mph over here. Think I'll be given a grace period to re-adjust???

_________________
2001 Bullitt - 258.6hp 294.9tq
1999 Roush Stage 2 S/C Vert - 382hp/389tq

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: roushraven99 on 2002-03-08 05:06 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: roushraven99 on 2002-03-08 05:07 ]</font>

 

[bakmptm]

With regards to the grace period, the answer is no. When I came from Germany in the early eighties, I quickly racked up 5 speeding tickets on the highway. I explained the situation to the judge, whom didn't find it very funny when I was being serious. :lol:

Anyway, good luck in Texas. There are some decent parts of I10 west of Houston where you can open it up with out a lot of concern, but I'm sure there are some resident Texans that can point you to the appropiate roadway's / tracks.