Effect on value when changing to euro spec

As values climb, IMO there's a penalty if not "original", but thruthfully, you are on well travelled ground.

So many owners have mixed and matched the bumpers, side marker lights and grills, it's pretty common.

So, do what makes you happy!!!

Bumpers and grills are easy.
Side markers take body work and if original paint is good then that's a shame to change..

The door crash beams?
Well, that's a little trouble, getting them out!

Welcome and cograts on your car!

 

You can drill the hydraulic shocks, letting the oil out, and push the North American bumpers in to match the Euro mounting.

You still have the weight on the car of course, and our front bumpers have the unique shape, to fight over ride in a collision.

You are most likely going "under" the car you hit, anyway......

 

Making changes to the originality will always have a value penalty.

Also, no one ever walks away from a car that is original. Many walk away from modified cars.

The more the cars go up in value, the more both are true.

 

If you're just converting the cosmetics parts as I in, front valance, bumpers, grills, and side markers, it's ok as long as you keep all the original parts and can be put back if necessary, then it's ok. It shouldn't affect the value as long as it can be converted back to US version. For example, I have a lot of after market (none original) parts on my car but, I also kept ALL my original parts just in case.

 

Wow, the Ferrari market is completely different as my countach had US bumpers and I converted it to European. It was much more desirable without those bumper eyes and sold faster(i believe) than if I just left them.

 

If you haven't noticed already, the US cars trade at a discount to original EU cars here in Europe anyway. So a mint US car with original diaper, smog pump, ugly bumpers etc will never be the big hit. Any "tasteful modifications" to fix these things can only do you good in this market.

 

Well, as for myself, really I'm not sure. I tend to think that hybridation is not a good idea; better leave the US car in full US standard, including smog devices, extra weight, etc...
As it will never be an "euro", should you want the "euro" look, then buy a standard euro. Otherwise you will end up with a cross-over that will be neither fish nor fowl. But that's just me. Anyway, whatever you do, it must be fully reversible.

Rgds

 

+1
First thing I would do is to get that car back to original.
And that is how Pininfarina designed the car.
So without the ugly diaper, ugly bumpers and all the extra indicators.
These might be small changes (a lot of work though), but for the overall design they are huge.

A US car that has been properly brought to Euro-specs is more interesting in Europe than a US-car. An Original euro car will always be more interesting and more expensive though.

 

Actually, you can't bring a US Car even close to euro specs: the work to be done on the engine would not make economic sense, plus you would have to change the doors, the engine hood (to go back to the two rows of grills, not the "U" one) etc...

Rgds

 

You are right, but the most important issues are the bumpers, diaper and the extra indicators.
Those can be done of course and than the car will look way better than before.

 

True, but it also will be neither a true "euro" nor a true "US", and for cars that are slowly becoming "classics", that will hurt, because more and more, originality will command a premium.
I know that I would let her in full US trim, fully original. Now, if she is not already original, that's another matter altogether.

Rgds

 

My impression is that the OP imported the car from the US to the UK and therefore had no choice in making modifications... I did exactly the same with a '67 Mustang into the UK and a 308 into Germany. In all of these cases, you must bring the vehicle into compliance with local regulations (MOT in the UK and TUV in Germany).

There is a long list of things that must be complied with, suffice it to say that you are forced to make modifications from the original.

If you take this into consideration, then the market would fall into three categories:
1. Totally Original Car (which could not be registered in Europe if it was a US spec. car)
2. Modified for compliance (do what is required to have it registered and no more)
3. Modified for compliance and then some (update to look like a European spec. car)

Only time will tell how the market will respond to this moving forward. My thoughts are that "Option 2" would be the best bet, but not sure how that would compare to a Euro spec. car price-wise.

As a comment, in my case the side indicator lights on the 308 were 'OK' as long as the bulbs were removed!

 

Hi, I'm also a new Ferrari owner. A 85 euro. On the front of the car it has 2 rectangle lights in the grill. When I turn on the lights they don't come on. I've looked for a switch but didn't see one. Are these fog lights or extra driving lights? Maybe they are burnt out? What I'm overlooking.
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I don't know for the rest of European countries, but in France you can actually register a non-modified, fully US-stock, USA spec car: there are examples of US specs 308 and 328 registered here. The biggest PITA is the Certificate Of Conformity...not the car

Rgds

 

+1

Sell the US spec. and buy an original EU spec. car, because mixing up is only burning money.

 

This is very-much country dependent... CH is extremely difficult I hear!

 

On the other hand, France is very, very restrictive towards cars produced in small series, much more than the UK for instance.

Rgds

 

These are flash-to-pass lights. Just like modern flash-high-beams.

 

+2

It's not that the euro spec cars are extinct or nearly extinct, why bother getting a US spec if people are really concerned about these things...

 

I suggest you do what you wish to bring the car to a visual look you enjoy driving.

I bought a similar car in 2000 and I:

- fixed rot & bare metal resprayed
- changed the rear lid (original was in poor condition). The new one is a Euro one
- flattened the crinkle targa top & painted body colour
- pushed in the US bumpers
- replaced deep front spoiler/valance with standard shallow
- changed mismatched Avon/Fulda tyres for Michelin XWX
- added UK mandatory rear fog
- added a fabricated rear exhaust surround in body colour

I wish I'd also at the time:

- changed rectangular side repeaters for round
- converted to full euro bumpers

I now wish I hadn't:

- added rear spoiler, but this is easy enough to delete when I get round to it

and already done before my purchase:

- cats removed
- a/c removed

Unless your car is a pristine museum piece, I would not be concerned about the effect of similar cosmetic changes on value. Fix it up so you can enjoy driving it and not be embarrassed by ridiculous sticky-out bumpers!

 

I'd like to add my 5 cents worth in here. When I was in the process of buying my 1985 308 QV here in Michigan, I spoke to someone I have known for many years. He owns a very reputable sports car business.According to him, here in the USA, a Euro spec car was worth a fair bit less that a comparable US Spec car. He was just speaking about market values at that point. I told him I preferred how the Euro cars looked and performed, but he stood firm about the dollar value difference. Sound like the same on the other side of the water. They prefer Euro cars to keep their original configuration if built that way. I think that is the key here. Keep them as close to original as possible or keep their original parts if the next owner want to return the car to how it was when built. As a owner who has already "improved" some parts of the car since buying it, I say enjoy the fruits of your changes. You will never please everyone! Try to make sure at least you are happy!!!

 

Thanks I will try them when I get home. It would be nice to have them as extra lighting. I'm older now need all the light I can get.

 

If you like the Euro look, change your bumpers, grille, side repeaters, and get rid of your rat's ballocks exhaust shroud. Many, many people will like it better. Keep the US parts for the few die-hards that have convinced themselves that values are somehow higher for a car with these blights and who have learned not to shriek when they look at their own cars before they go drive them.