Tuscan in USA pt.2

[maranellouk]

Just in the process of receiving quotes from shipping companies to get the car to the U.S

Have been receiving disturbing information from my shiping broker in the U.S though. Apparently, there have been quite a few cases of people importing cars as tourists, selling them and leaving the country without the car. As these cars do not meet U.S saftey/lighting requirements the customs are making things a bit more difficult.

Now it seems they are making people pay a $2,500 deposit when the car reaches U.S soil. The deposit will be refunded when the car is exported.

Typical, when I get my backside in gear to do what I've been promising to do for ages I get stuffed with more charges. Bah.

Still, it will be worth it. Anyone know if the U.S magazines have done a driven test of the Tuscan? Might consider something if a good magazine was interested.

MARA

[Lutz]

Why dont you get a US soldier stationed in the UK or Germany to buy the car for you, ship it over on his personal car allowance or whatever it is called and buy it off him once he is in the US? Seems to be the cheapest way. Does not save you the hassle with technical control and all that, but the transport shoul be much cheaper. Naturally, you could drive it from the dealership to where the car would be shipped to avoid all risks of the guy making a dent in your pride and joy....

[maranellouk]

Unfortunately that would mean flying back home just to drive the car to the port. It's going to be collected by the shipping company on a flatbed truck so that should eliminate some worry.

Don't know any soldiers either. Shipping is not that bad but this $2,500 deposit business is a bit of a piss take. If the customs think I'm leaving my motor behind when I leave the country....... .........wait until they see it

[fizz]

I don't want to make light of $2,500, but if you can afford the Tuscan, and you will get the deposit back, forget about it.
Will you be in the USA for the US Grand Prix?

[maranellouk]

$2.5k isn't a problem, it's just that why charge $2.5k? It's just another annoying outlay. Deposits have always been a pain in the backside because the people that take them usually think of ways of not returning the money. Not that the customs dept would do such a thing

The car will be in the States during the G.P but I have no idea if I will be there for it. Haven't even got the F1 schedule

Definately know I will be doing a coast to coast run. I will be dropping in on the U.S PH'ers during my "65mph all the way officer" sprint to San Francisco.

Anyone know the good car magazines in the States? I always avoid them as they never seem to have anything interesting in them.

LAW

P.S Anyone with a nice motor that knows interesting routes/road from/in between NY to/and San Fran let me know.

[jpf]

US GP is the weekend of June 20. Oviously, you must drive through Indy or Chicago!

[taimar78]

For a good car magazine in the US, contact Tim Suddard at [e-mail]. He is the publisher of
Classic Motorsports magazine(formerly British Car) and
has been an owner of an original Griffith 200 for years and periodically includes TVR related articles in the magazine. (see March 2004 issue at
www.classicmotorsports.net). In the March issue, he did a comparison test between an original SWB TVR Tuscan, a Sunbeam Tiger, a Shelby GT-350 and an AC Cobra 289. I think he would be interested in some type of feature article about your cross-country trip in the Tuscan.
Also, once you know what your route will be, let me know at [e-mail] and if you are anywhere close to me, I'll arrange to get to where you are to meet up with you.
Good luck,
Marshall

[jpf]

Sports Car International has a contemporary feel and, they did a TVR article a couple years ago.

[maranellouk]

taimar78 said:

For a good car magazine in the US, contact Tim Suddard at [e-mail]. He is the publisher of Classic Motorsports magazine(formerly British Car) and has been an owner of an original Griffith 200 for years and periodically includes TVR related articles in the magazine. (see March 2004 issue at www.classicmotorsports.net). In the March issue, he did a comparison test between an original SWB TVR Tuscan, a Sunbeam Tiger, a Shelby GT-350 and an AC Cobra 289. I think he would be interested in some type of feature article about your cross-country trip in the Tuscan. Also, once you know what your route will be, let me know at [e-mail] and if you are anywhere close to me, I'll arrange to get to where you are to meet up with you. Good luck, Marshall

No idea of my route yet. Either starting from NYC or Miami. One would prefer a rote which included fantastic roads and scenery. If not, a route that included plenty of totty. Having both would just be greedy

Will email U.S PH'ers in advance. Just having a car checked back home so watch this space.

Oh, anyone know of a good shipping broker in NY? Have Miami sorted but not sure where I will ship to yet.

Cheers,

MARA

[goin2fast52]

maranello! haven't heard from you in a loooong time. what was that new e-mail adress again?
you should definetely come from miami so you can come see me in sarasota
andrew

[maranellouk]

goin2fast52 said:

maranello! haven't heard from you in a loooong time. what was that new e-mail adress again? you should definetely come from miami so you can come see me in sarasota andrew

Mate, long time. I almost came to Sarasota this week. Started driving the monster Jeep but after 1hour not being able to go over 65-70mph I turned back. I think I will be able to go a little faster very soon.

I will mail you my email.

MARA

[plipton]

Have you considered entering via the back door (oh, matron please !!)

Why not ship the car to Canada and drive over the border.

Last time I enetered the States at Niagara they didn't blink an eye at me "importing" a Canadian car (might need to bribe a Canadian to help you get across though)

>> Edited by plipton on Friday 19th March 20:58

[goin2fast52]

that's a good idea about canada.
there's a guy here in sarasota who imports smart cars. i think he goes through canada.

[maranellouk]

goin2fast52 said:

that's a good idea about canada. there's a guy here in sarasota who imports smart cars. i think he goes through canada.

It's a bit of a drive to Miami though. Not sure how long but will eat into the miles and then I will have to get it serviced sooner than I wanted.

I hope I can limit myself to 12k per year. I too hope the car will allow me to do 12k per year.

I can see many long and pointless trips to places I have no desire to go to just to drive. The wait is starting to really hurt.

[wild]

I would think Mexico is a better bet. Canada has stricter import restrictions than the US overall.

Mexico on the other hand is more lax

[maranellouk]

Indeed. Especially for the right price