| Author |
Message |
Kevin Marcus (Rumordude)
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 7:39 pm: | |
Depending on who you're planning to race with, you shouldn't have many problems getting a euro over here for track use only. But, if you plan to race it in the challenge series or other, that might be a different story. If you're lookign just to drive around on a track you shouldn't have problems, other than getting it to/fro the track.
However, the 355 challenge cars (at least after 95, as someone else suggested) are very much *not* street legal cars. For example:
- most have slicks
- many don't have functional windshield wipers
- many don't have lights
- five point harnesses are not legal
- exhaust too loud, possible emissions problems
- battery disconnector inside turns the car off immediately. |
Joseph Buffa (Buffa27)
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:44 am: | |
Rob,
I paid 3000 shipping by air from Italy, and you still have to pay 2.5% tax to US Customes even if it's a competition car. Also, the shipping company I used was SIAMA in Italy, so you can take advantage of the exchange rate. I recommend a good Customes Broker, It took about 4 hours to clear my car after it arrived. e-mail me if you want contacts at SIAMA. [email protected] |
Joseph Buffa (Buffa27)
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 6:12 am: | |
Rob,
If your going to race the car, It's very easy to get it in the USA. Make sure if it does not have any numbers or decals that they put some on before importation. (It must look like a race car). But as far as bringing it in as a Competition Car and makeing it street legal, very expensive about 10 - 15K. |
Najib Amanullah (Najib)
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 4:26 am: | |
It doesn't hurt to speak to someone who is actually racing the stuff. I just spoke to Blaise (see my previous mail) and he is racing the 355 this week. He said he will be happy to discuss the matter with you.
His mobile number is +41 79 219 26 36.
At worst you will be a few $$ out of pocket. |
martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 5:05 pm: | |
Don't do it Rob-just not worth the ulcerogenic agita involved.
Jon is correct-FNA is not only not cooperative when it comes to euro parts but downright ornery and obsructionist.
Costs in addition to purchase price are 14-15k for "federalization" 5-7 k customs charges.Also as wm said the dollar is weaker and the computer is not programmed to diagnose Euro car problems.
It's a no-no-no!! |
Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 3:16 pm: | |
Rob,
I know several people that have imported both street and race Ferrari's. I don't know the answer to your question regarding the "streetability" of European Challenge cars but I can echo what William said. The 1995 Challenge cars were all street legal and a few 1996's that came in with VIN#'s are as well. My 95 was a street car and I purchased the Challenge kit from FNA. My dealer gave me the option of leaving it street legal with the kit installed but I chose not to do this.
Beware of bringing in Euro cars. The conversion work itself is not very involved but most places will charge you about 10 to 15K even if it costs them less to actually do the work.
I know someone who purchased a 360 Challenge from Australia and then needed some parts that were specific to that market. FNA couldn't give a rat's ass about getting US customers parts for gray market cars. In fact they go out of their way to keep you from getting them and are not helpfull at all. The poor guy sold the car after only four months of ownership partly due to the cost and time of getting parts from overseas.
Keep in mind that US Challenge cars after early 1996 have no VIN# and cannot be made street legal even if you make the modifications (emissions equipment, lower noise exhaust etc..)
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Jon K.
1995 F355 Challenge #23 |
Martin (Miami348ts)
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 3:05 pm: | |
Rob;
check out the 348 on eBay that is an Especial and is also a full race version.
This car should have a car title and be able to drive on the street.
Who checks for that anyway? Highway Patrol or local Police? How do they get the standards?
My understnading is if the car was imported as a Race Car there was no tax due and no conversion necessary. The Especial was importet as a regular street car and then converted with the Challenge kit.
Again, my understanding is that the 355 Challenge are only race cars, not street legal. Seeing several Challenge 355 this weekend I can not imagine to be driving this car on the street. It will break your back...ask Matt. |
Najib Amanullah (Najib)
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 2:13 pm: | |
I just bought a 348 TS Challenge series which I understand has all the bits to convert it into a race car but is in fact a road legal car.
I recommend you send an e-mail to the dealer I bought it from, mention that I recommended him to you and enquire about the 348 or 355 whichever you want. In any case CH is the cheapest country in Europe for Ferraris even though their currency has appreciated considerable recently.
The owner is Blaise Zuchuat of Garage Zenith, e-mail:
[email protected] |
William H (Countachxx)
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 10:44 am: | |
Rob I think the 95 355 Challenge was the only road legal challenge car. The US$ has dropped a bit so prices in EU wont b as low as before |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 9:22 am: | |
What would it take for me to get a Challenge car from Europe and make legal for the street. I want to keep all the racing stuff intact to actually race it too.
Besides the price of the vehicle, how much do you think it would cost for shipping, taxes?, conversion, and etc... I know it's easier to get race cars in the states, although you have to prove it's a race car and they have that coke can rule.
Thanks,
rob |
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