I have 3 good running 1st gens, and I'd like to ship one to Europe for use there. My wife has a place in the South of France, and it would be nice if I could keep an FB in France, England, Italy or Belgium or someplace, fly into that place and drive to France.

I wonder which country is best and how hard is it to register a car there. All cars pass the California smog tests.

I'm under the impression that used cars are expensive in Europe because when I read local papers like Midi Libre the prices seem high.

I also have an 1981 Alfa 4 door sedan that runs good and could serve as a good touring car, and maybe it would even be easier to find parts.

Anybody know what's required, or where to find info?

 

There will be an import-tax on importing non EU items into an EU country.
Tax% differs from country to country and is based upon value.
I have no idea of which country to choose to register.
Finding Alfa parts should be easy, which model is it?

 

If you have an adress in France you MUST register your car(s) there: any foreign plates used in another country are only valid for six months (some exeptions) to allow you to get the paperwork right. Import duties can vary widely, so try to find someone who can help you in France.

 

The Blue Book value of these FBs is only $1500 here in the US, so I'm not too concerned about the import tax. I'm more concerned about smog requirements and paperwork. I don't live in france (yet), but I can borrow addresses in Paris or the South.

The Alfa is a 1981 164L. I got it from my neighbor for $500 because he was frustrated when he couldn't replace the broken inside driver side door handle. Oh well, he had it 25 years and put 199k on it.

I don't know how good junkyards are in Europe, but here in California I get most of my parts from the JY, except for expendables like sparkplugs, etc.

 

France has the advantage of no road tax at all !

You only have to put the "carte grise" on your name, which costs about 200-300Eur for an FB. You will not be charged with any yearly tax (only insurance).
Additionally, import taxes will have to be added, because of non-EU origin.
There may be ways to circumvent the tax if you have proof that you moved and the car did not change owners.

You will need a proof of domicile in the form of an utilities invoice on your name.

I have a secondary residence in France and I have just registered an Rx-5 and an FB there.
Both were originally French cars.

I remember seeing a site somewhere comparing taxes in different countries and France came out as the best one.

 

France makes more sense for me anyway.

Is there something lke the Dept Of Motor Vehicles that handles all this and can give me the forms, etc.? Maybe they even have a convenient website.

 

You need to contact the "Prefecture" of your department.

For Paris, this would be
http://www.prefecture-police-paris.i...arte_grise.htm
http://www.prefecture-police-paris.i...cartegrise.pdf

You will need a Form number 846A for a car imported from outside the EU.
As I understand it, you will have to:
- go the customs office of your Department first to pay duty for importing and get this form 846A
- go to technical inspection with the car. Normally, you need french plates for that. I don't know the procedure for imported cars. Maybe garage plates ?!
- get a proof of domicile
- fill out the "demande d'immatriculation"
- go to the prefecture
- queue for a few hours
- pay tax for your new carte grise

 

Thanks for the info!