Importing my Z06
Discussion
I am just about to export my 2003 Z06 to England (or import it for you guys). I have owned it from new and it is bog std except for shifter and boot partition. Any suggestions on other things I should have done or parts I should collect over here to send with it because they are expensive/hard to get in England??
I am not interested in engine work as I am only going to be using this for summer er.. "touring" from now on and have a new Z06 arriving in the US.
For example are there any decent light kits in the UK as the standard ones are hopeless and when they get changed by the importer I'd like to improve them to more than candle power..
I am not interested in engine work as I am only going to be using this for summer er.. "touring" from now on and have a new Z06 arriving in the US.
For example are there any decent light kits in the UK as the standard ones are hopeless and when they get changed by the importer I'd like to improve them to more than candle power..
I would suggest you pick up some Oil Filters and perhaps an Air Filter in the US. Get a full service done and if it needs new tyres soon, best replace them in the US.
However the SVA test is where you may need to buy some rear lenses. There's a great article here on a 2002 Z06 conversion
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/627465
However the SVA test is where you may need to buy some rear lenses. There's a great article here on a 2002 Z06 conversion
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/627465
Thanks - have a new set of Toyo T1R's that work well. HID's sound good I will look into it - though I was wondering if anyone does Le Mans style conversions for the C5 to replace the pop-ups?
Also has anyone any experience with David Boatwright who are going to import for me - they have quoted about 3200GBP for everything door to door except VAT/Duty. I know I could save a few hundred here and there but want everything done for me as I am not in the country. They seem good so far but would appreciate any experience anyone has had with them.
Look forward to meeting up with other UK Vette fans once its there and joining the club etc. Having driven it 18000 miles all over the States can't wait to see what it makes of greasy English roundabouts not to mention Route Napoleon...
Also has anyone any experience with David Boatwright who are going to import for me - they have quoted about 3200GBP for everything door to door except VAT/Duty. I know I could save a few hundred here and there but want everything done for me as I am not in the country. They seem good so far but would appreciate any experience anyone has had with them.
Look forward to meeting up with other UK Vette fans once its there and joining the club etc. Having driven it 18000 miles all over the States can't wait to see what it makes of greasy English roundabouts not to mention Route Napoleon...
That seems very expensive for importing. I brought my 2003 C5 Z06 over with Wallenius Wilhelmsen and it cost about $800 US! That was via a Roll on- Roll Off ship out of Baltimore to Liverpool. Just imported a Dodge Ram SRT-10 from Brunswick, GA and that was only $1600, so £3200 seems well expensive to me, unless of course you are bringing it across in a 40ft container with all your other possessions.
Regarding lighting if you are permanently importing the car it will require both SVA and MOT before you can use it on the road. Get a Euro tail light kit from West Coast Corvette (or others) as you will need the amber rear indicators (turn signals).
Regarding the headlights the standard Z06 lights don't need converting for either SVA or MOT as the dip is up and down not angled.
The C5R style headlights are fitted to both mine and C5RagTop's C5 Z06's and I have the HID conversion on mine. I got my lights from SpectreWerkes in the USA and the HID kits from the HID Factory also in the USA.
Fitting them is relatively easy but I would strongly recommend doing this after the car is legal in the UK.
You will need a rear foglight fitting for both SVA and MOT so this could be done in the USA before importing, but you need to ensure that the placement of the light complies with the regs and that you have an illuminated switch fitted to the dash.
You will also need additional front side repeaters for the turn signals.
If you need any further advice pm me as I have had two C5 Z06's and have converted both to UK spec for less than £300 provided you are prepared to do the work, otherwise be prepared to spend about £1,000 to get the work done by a garage.
Regarding lighting if you are permanently importing the car it will require both SVA and MOT before you can use it on the road. Get a Euro tail light kit from West Coast Corvette (or others) as you will need the amber rear indicators (turn signals).
Regarding the headlights the standard Z06 lights don't need converting for either SVA or MOT as the dip is up and down not angled.
The C5R style headlights are fitted to both mine and C5RagTop's C5 Z06's and I have the HID conversion on mine. I got my lights from SpectreWerkes in the USA and the HID kits from the HID Factory also in the USA.
Fitting them is relatively easy but I would strongly recommend doing this after the car is legal in the UK.
You will need a rear foglight fitting for both SVA and MOT so this could be done in the USA before importing, but you need to ensure that the placement of the light complies with the regs and that you have an illuminated switch fitted to the dash.
You will also need additional front side repeaters for the turn signals.
If you need any further advice pm me as I have had two C5 Z06's and have converted both to UK spec for less than £300 provided you are prepared to do the work, otherwise be prepared to spend about £1,000 to get the work done by a garage.
The 3200GBP includes doing all the customs work both ends, modifying the car, doing the SVA, MOT and registration with DVLA as well as delivering to Sussex in England. Basically I do nothing which is why I thought it not bad. If you are getting all that done for under a grand then I will change plan!!
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