It pains me to write this but my wife and I are seriously considering whether or not we can take our 2019 IM overseas with us - so we have posted a feeler ad with the details over in the classified section.
I am under the impression, given the Henry used to separate Canadian and US titled cars on his website that it is not trivial to move cars from one country to the other, so I'm not sure if it is possible to import it to the US. Does anyone have any insight on this?
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Find Henry Reisner of IM over on Facebook and ask this of him.
He and his family are currently in Italy but he seems to be pretty active on FB.
Transmission is, unusually, a VW automatic. My MIL who commissioned the car didn't want a standard at her age. When we first received the car I was thinking we would change it but it turns out the 3 speed is fantastic around town and hills. It is definitely city gearing though, it turns about 3200 RPM on the highway at 60 mph. A bit loud but lots of instant power when you dip in to it.
The car was intended to have a Subie auto in it but Subaru Gears in Oz didn't get the kit for rear engine installs done until well after the car was finished. I believe it is available now.
So you have a VW Bus tranny, which works and is realible in a city setup. I would think that the change could be made if someone wanted whatever when IM gets back up running or by someone else if it is sold. I am aware of the SG Australia package and yes they were delayed in their R&D, I have their 5 speed manual in my IM.
So which country are you going to ?
It’s not a bus transaxle, Ray.
I remember talking with Henry about that build. IIRC, (always risky, at my age) it has a fully automatic 3-speed from a Type 3 hatchback. Probably one or two or something Roadsters in the world with that tranny. I seem to remember that it had a one-off paint color, too.
You may be right Gordo as I drove one of those cars, a VW fastback with a frunk and a trunk, when I was like 16 y.o. and it shifted surprising well.
Headed to Portugal, hopefully. Still working through the immigration process.
I am not familiar with Portuguese regs, but it is very difficult to register any non-Euro small-lot build vehicle in northern Europe !
You might be able to do it in the former central Euro East-Blok countries, usually with a bribe !
I have watched the regs tighten over the last 10 years...which is why I sold my Spyder.
ReV
I've been wading through translations of the relevant legislation and there are a few vectors that I am still exploring. There is an allowance for modified vehicles that might be applicable, but I need local guidance from an expert so I'm hoping the local classic car club can help (they have been enthusiastic from an initial contact).
The class seems primarily targeted at things like cab and frame trucks that a power or telephone company may put a custom box setup on, but I don't see anything that excludes the concept of a custom vehicle.
I do know from a site that lists cars for rent for model shoots and films that there are some other 356 replicas registered in Portugal but it is unclear if those are beetle titles or something else. They could also be grand fathered.
While the typical route is full EU licensing, there is an allowance for national only licensing which may allow some leeway as well. There is also a classic car classification but that does not seem viable. Not only do you need approval from FIVA I think it is called, and a log book, but the vehicle must be over 30 years old and only travel 500 kms or less a year. So basically parade use. Not what I need.
So with the right finesse perhaps a national only title under the modified vehicle category could be possible.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover my IM has a catalytic converter which I didn't realize. That definitely helps as they license and tax (initially and annually) based on engine displacement and emissions. 2.5L is considered a large engine there as well.
Overall, despite the enthusiasm for cars there at the citizen level, the regulations around cars are some of the stricter ones I've seen, combined with heavy taxation for new and imported used vehicles. All part of the hero's journey.
Here is the site that has the two replicas for rent, can anyone determine anything about their origins form the photos? (click on the name under the photo to get the details and more photos) https://www.herocarsportugal.c...ar&s=porsche+356
They are not IM. Maybe Vintage motors for one of them. You need a local person to do research there
Maybe irrelevant but did Portugal ever import VW-type cars from Brazil? Maybe there's a small crack in the regs left over from that.
He would have to craft on a VW vin. Pretty hard on a custom built.
The car has a BC VIN and that is the correct VIN. The only way the VIN would change is if the technical inspection authority there decided to assign a new VIN based on their rules for specialty and low volume vehicles.
Jeff, are you going for good? AFAIK, current ROW registrations are valid for travel in the EU.
I sent my VW camper over to Europe years ago , drove it with California Plates for a few summers ,
I think it works if you are moving around , but if you stay at one place I think the local Police will start asking quetions.
I got "Green card" insurance from AAA
@imperial posted:I sent my VW camper over to Europe years ago , drove it with California Plates for a few summers ,
I think it works if you are moving around , but if you stay at one place I think the local Police will start asking quetions.
I got "Green card" insurance from AAA
Yeah, that’s what I was talking about. Just leaving it licensed in the USA or Canada. Having a relative mail you annual stickers.
One thing , just make sure you have a front and rear plate , lots of speed cameras around Europe and the police will pull you over often without a front plate.
Well that is an idea if your only going to keep it there or you keep it hidden 6 months out of the year so long as your insurance company allows you to do so... I wonder if Haggerty might be open to a Can liiving in Pgal and keeping the car there. Interesting.
"I think it works if you are moving around , but if you stay at one place I think the local Police will start asking questions."
Exactly right...they have little else to do 
ReV
Is this only because its a Replica? I wonder if i can Bring the Alfa GT Back to Italy? It has a 2.0L engine instead of the 1300, but its an Alfa Period correct block.
Sure...several of my Lambo Urracos went back to Europe (not UK). Since I had the original Euro registration, no duty needed to be paid by the buyer.
ReV
Well Marty do you have the original registration? If not get one it might help in the resale of that beauty. 
@IaM-Ray posted:Well Marty do you have the original registration? If not get one it might help in the resale of that beauty.
I do have the info Ray. Maybe I should spend the summers in Henry’s area(Italy). He can help keep my car running.
@Marty Grzynkowicz posted:I do have the info Ray
Summers in Tuscany, winters in Naples, FL.
That's our Marty!
Yes, when your wife is your translator, you’re good.
I was under the impression that the castle Reisner was closer to Turin, but I have no idea of the geography of Italy to tell you the truth. E la lingua italiana non è la prima lingua della mia mamma. Adesso è tempo di imparare la lingua per lei
@IaM-Ray posted:I was under the impression that the castle Reisner was closer to Turin, but I have no idea of the geography of Italy to tell you the truth.
It is, but Marty would have his villa and compound between Florence and the coast, so he could be in the "right" place. He can always visit Henry up in the Piedmont.
Marty would have a small vineyard, so he could make some artisan wine. He'd take his Alfa there, and leave the Vespa in Florida. He'd have a study in the Tuscan villa, but he'd call into the home-office in Illinois when he got up (at 8:45 AM, right at the close of business in Chicago) so he could stay up to speed with his clients.
Every November, he'd close up the villa and head down to Rome, where he'd fly first class into Chicago for Thanksgiving and Christmas, whereupon he'd head to Florida until tax season. Then he'd stop in Chicago again for a week before heading back to Italy for the next 6 months or so. It would be a hard life, but somebody has to do it.
See what string-back driving gloves will do for you?
Yes, he is North between Torino, Italy and France. The roads are good in some of the north parts of Italy and the classic car culture is a live and well. My wife's family is in the south but a lot of dual citizens are going to area (or with one hour) of where Henry is. I have a big 30th anniversary plan in my head for next year in Italy.
If my kids do not procreate, I may give this some serious thought.
Stan wrote:
"Summers in Tuscany, winters in Naples, FL.
That's our Marty!"
@Stan Galat posted:It is, but Marty would have his villa and compound between Florence and the coast, so he could be in the "right" place. He can always visit Henry up in the Piedmont.
Marty would have a small vineyard, so he could make some artisan wine. He'd take his Alfa there, and leave the Vespa in Florida. He'd have a study in the Tuscan villa, but he'd call into the home-office in Illinois when he got up (at 8:45 AM, right at the close of business in Chicago) so he could stay up to speed with his clients.
Every November, he'd close up the villa and head down to Rome, where he'd fly first class into Chicago for Thanksgiving and Christmas, whereupon he'd head to Florida until tax season. Then he'd stop in Chicago again for a week before heading back to Italy for the next 6 months or so. It would be a hard life, but somebody has to do it.
See what string-back driving gloves will do for you?
President for Life 
@dlearl476 posted:Jeff, are you going for good? AFAIK, current ROW registrations are valid for travel in the EU.
Yes, the current plan is that this is permanent. You never know what life may bring, of course...
@Stan Galat posted:See what string-back driving gloves will do for you?
I thought Marty was a Fratelli Orsini glove guy? For string back gloves you have to go with Autodromo.
@356Jeff posted:Yes, the current plan is that this is permanent. You never know what life may bring, of course...
It’s a shame there’s so much emotional investment in your mom’s car. The easy thing would be to sell it then get an EU replacement.
Back when I was contemplating becoming an ex-pat in Portugal, my fantasy was having a Smart diesel and a TVR. Neither of which are unavailable in the states.
@dlearl476 posted:It’s a shame there’s so much emotional investment in your mom’s car. The easy thing would be to sell it then get an EU replacement.
Back when I was contemplating becoming an ex-pat in Portugal, my fantasy was having a Smart diesel and a TVR. Neither of which are unavailable in the states.
A TVR would be pretty sweet but the taxation based on engine displacement and CO2 emmissions makes that a bit problematic I'm afraid.
I always enjoyed seeing the TVRs at Carlisle.
@dlearl476 posted:Do they exempt older cars like they do here? My brother had a triumph-engined 2500 BITD. A coupe, though.
Exempt is not the right term. They have a classics category but it is only supposed to be used 500 KM a year, so really for parade us.
I need to find out the reality on the ground though. Often, especially in a region that has some autonomy, maybe the local interpretation of things is a bit more relaxed. We'll see.
