Shipping a '69 Mini to the USA

[clemstar]

Hi I'm moving out to the USA soon and
I'm possibly going to be shipping my 1969 Mini out with me, Has anyone done this, and could they give me any tips, on which shipping company to use, things to watch out for ? How easy is the export process this end, and the registration process at the other end.

I'm moving to South Carolina, so I would have to use the Charleston Port.

[cooperS5]

Try giving P & L minis A ring they have exported quite a few minis, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

[neil8p]

Try www.turbominis.co.uk and on the forum look for Turbodave. He's just moved to the US and taken his car with him. He may be able to offer some advice.

[Cooperman]

A few years ago I shipped a 1071 'S' full-spec rally car, a 1963 car, to my best buddy who lives in Califiornia. I just called up a shipping company based at Tilbury docks and they sorted out everything. All I had to do was to drive the car to the shipping terminal, pay the money, and they did the rest. The price included the shipping insurance, loading and unloading. My friend had a document confirming that he had owned the car and used in in Europe for over one year, which he had on a couple of international historic rallies, so no duty was payable at port of entry into the USA. It arrived in good shape and, after 4 weeks shipping time (it had to go via the Panama Canal to reach California) when unloaded from the container it started 'on the button'and was driven home without even the tyres needing pumping up. I still get to drive it every time I visit and I had to go there a few years back to help with the engine rebuild after the crap case hardening on the 649 cam caused the cam lobes to flatten off.
One point, I thought the latest Mini which could be brought into the USA was a 1967 in view of their Federal regulations concerning the distance from the back seat to the back of the rear bumper. Am I wrong on this, or has the regulation changed?

[clemstar]

Regs have changed, it just has to be over 25 years old now. I hope mine is as easy as that. Sounded like a breeze.